Is there a taxidermist market for cougar hides?

[DoubleJ]

In the chance I get one this year, I have no funds to mount it.  Is there shop trade in value like deer and elk capes?

[Humptulips]

I'm sure you could sell it on http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php

[MtnMuley]

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't selling a cougar you just harvested in WA illegal? I'm sure it is, but if humptulips didn't mention it, maybe not.

[Ridgeratt]

Even if you can't afford to have it mounted think about getting it tanned then you can have if mounted at a later date!

[Lawman]

Man you better watch how you talk on here...get it tanned and keep it !

[Gringo31]

I've thought the very same thing.  I have 2 rugs still in process right now and don't know if I'd want a 3rd.  I'd want some meat and the skull, what options does a guy have?

[Lawman]

I have one that I have not mounted yet too! lots of money I do not have right now !

[Humptulips]

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't selling a cougar you just harvested in WA illegal? I'm sure it is, but if humptulips didn't mention it, maybe not.

They changed the law two years ago. You can now sell or barter legally caught cougar and bear hides in WA. You cannot however sell claws unless they remain attached to the hide.

Not sure about it but it would seem like the sale or bartering of a cape from a deer or elk wouldn't be legal. I know it is done. I'll have to look into it.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't selling a cougar you just harvested in WA illegal? I'm sure it is, but if humptulips didn't mention it, maybe not.

They changed the law two years ago. You can now sell or barter legally caught cougar and bear hides in WA. You cannot however sell claws unless they remain attached to the hide.

Correct.  Except I think they changed it a little bit longer ago.  When I moved here in 07' I went to Oly F&G Office and one of the gamies was going over the Rules and Regs with me and marked on my paper work that the lasw had changed.

[Michelle_Nelson]

I've thought the very same thing.  I have 2 rugs still in process right now and don't know if I'd want a 3rd.  I'd want some meat and the skull, what options does a guy have?

  A Life Size on the Grizzly!  Makes more room on the wall for a rug!

[DoubleJ]

If selling is not legal maybe work out a trade with a taxi. Give him the cat and maybe he will mount one for you next time. 

That's what I was asking about.  Nobody said anything about selling it.

[DoubleJ]

So, all you taxidermists out there, is there trade in value or should I just freeze it until I can afford a mount?

[MtnMuley]

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't selling a cougar you just harvested in WA illegal? I'm sure it is, but if humptulips didn't mention it, maybe not.

They changed the law two years ago. You can now sell or barter legally caught cougar and bear hides in WA. You cannot however sell claws unless they remain attached to the hide.

Not sure about it but it would seem like the sale or bartering of a cape from a deer or elk wouldn't be legal. I know it is done. I'll have to look into it.

Thanks Humptulip.  Deer and elk are perfectly legal.  Good to know about the cats.

[Humptulips]

If selling is not legal maybe work out a trade with a taxi. Give him the cat and maybe he will mount one for you next time. 

That's what I was asking about.  Nobody said anything about selling it.

I believe in the Depatments eyes that would be barter and that is viewed the same as selling. Either way you would be OK.

I would like to say something about freezing though. Especially if you don't flesh a cat beforehand if you leave it in the freezer too long it can freezer burn and wreck it.
If I were to freeze it for long term I would roll it up fur out, freeze, dip in water freeze, repeat and put in a sealed pastic bag. That would seal it against freezer burn. Smaller furs you can do in the sealer bags but a cougar hide is pretty big for that.

[Gringo31]

 

A Life Size on the Grizzly!  Makes more room on the wall for a rug!

Christmas special???