Bear Rug

[bucklucky]

 

[Michelle_Nelson]

 

[TeacherMan]

Remember you get what you pay for, I'm not saying the guy that charges 130ft is better than the one that charges 160ft, but check out there work, and get references. I just had one done by Rainer Taxidermy, kind of spendy but good work, 160ft. You also want to check and see there turn around time, my buddy just got his bear back, two years latter!

[Michelle_Nelson]

Quality is the deal breaker for me if I was looking for a Taxidermist.  Price and Turn around would be second and third on my list.  Always look at their work.  Don't just go on references and referrals.  Just because someone else likes their work doesn't mean you will.  Every taxidermist has their own technique and way of doing things.  What appeals to some may not to others.

[billythekidrock]

It is all too much!

[bucklucky]

It is all too much!

Your right!, Gas, food, oil, Taxidermy, Amunition, Hunting licences, The Movies, Going out to Dinner, Having fun, .........

[Gutpile]

I'm paying either $152 or $158 per foot for mine. Approx 1 year.

[bowpredator]

Mine is almost done and it was  $165 lft total around $1,150  tad over 6.5 ft.

[actionshooter]

R.I.P Mac

Ya I liked the old guy.

 Really, I haven't killed a bear in a few years that worth making a rug, can't believe it went up that much. I'm NOT that old! Its gonna hurt when I get a good one this year 

[cohoho]

Wow!  Wow!  I understand it is incredible amount of time and energy that you put into it but $1,200 for a black bear rug???  I am not trying to be a butt or anything, but what do you average an hour as in compensation for your time?  How much is a 3/4's mount, similar overall cost as a rug?  I agree with the personally checking the taxi for their work, not just references, some might like certain things more than you particularly do. 

[Michelle_Nelson]

Bear Rugs are a LOT of work.   

Tanning the hide alone is around $120 - $150 for a Black Bear.  Not including the cost of the rug shell, felt, badding, backing, glue, ear linners, jawset, eyes, clay, Appoxie Sculpt, etc,etc. 

Their is also alot of labor involved in a rug.  I sew about 80% of the felt on the hide with a machcine and than the other 20% is sewen by hand.  I also sew the backing on entirely by hand.  The only glue I use it right up under the chin and thats a 2 parth clear epoxy.

Yeah I would say that $1200 for a Black Bear Rug is pretty spendy but if thats what he's getting and his customers are willing to spend it than more power to him. 

[bucklucky]

This is how I break it down just so you can see how I work bear pricing . Now some people may not understand how to really successfully run a business but maybee this will put it in perspective as to why the rugs if priced "correctly" can be expensive. Here is a run down on costs on a 6 ft bear:
Prep green hide
 (Skin out 4 feet, cape head, turn eyes, lips, nose and ears)=2hrs @35.00 hr...$70.00
Have Tanned from dry salted hide.....................................@$22.99 Lin ft...$132.00
Shipping or fuel to and from....................................................................$40.00
Rug Shell with shipping.........................................................................$160.00
Eyes.(250 IQ).......................................................................................$15.00
Mount head = 4 hrs @ $35.00 per hour....................................................$140.00
Stretch hide = 2 Hrs @ $35.00 per hour...................................................$75.00
Measure and trim hide to a mirror image 1 hr @ 35.00 per hour....................$35.00
Felt Bear = 8 hrs, but or for this 38.00 per foot includes materials...............$228.00
Die hide to match hair = 1 hr @ 35.00 per hour...........................................$35.00
Finish work on head= 2 hrs @ 35.00 per hour.............................................$70.00

Grand total for a 6 ft bear is................................................................$1000.00

So lets see I charge 150 per foot for a bear rug that is $900.00, I'm not making money .

I bet you guys are thinking WTF! $35.00 per hour! I don't even make that. Lets break that down too.

$35.00 per hour for me the Shop owner, out of this comes shop expenses, insurance, fuel, power , garbage, food, and my paycheck. Theres more but you get the idea. Expenses account for 1/3 of that $35.00 per hour. So that brings it down to about 23.34 per hour and from that goes health and dental insurance for me which takes it down to $20.00 bucks an hour. It costs me at least 3.35 per hour for insurance. It rubs me almost 7,000 bucks a year for insurance. So lets see , $20.00 bucks an hour is a average wage, and really with my prices I don't make that, as you can see, it costs me time and money to put out a bear rug. I can break the rest down but it would take a few days to do it .

[Hunting Cowboy]

It is all too much!

You are right! But, it is what it is. The last bear rug I did (and my last job as a licensed taxidermist) I was charging $150/LF. I had gotten out of it the year before. My client begged me to do his bear. I said the only way I'll do it is this... $150/LF plus you pay for my License @ $180. He agreed. It was a 5' 6" bear. Total price $1,005.00.

Like everything else, taxidermy is getting expensive. I think taxidermists would like to keep the costs down, but supplies, services, and everything else continue to go up. And, some well established shops are so busy that they have a 2 year back log. Not saying its right, but it is a business.

Is it all too much? Yes! But if you want professional work, your "usually" gonna have to pay for it. Are there taxidermists out there that are less? Yes! Do they do good work? Some do awesome work, some are hacks. Some have to cut every corner to keep the price low. Beware! I would avoid those establishments like the plague!

I personally would not let price alone dictate your decision. Look at a lot of examples of their work, call references. IMO, If you refuse to spend what it's gonna cost, save your money. Don't compromise on price and then complain about shoddy work!

[Gutpile]

Last time I checked Taxidermy is not exactly a necessity so I have no problem with them charging what they are worth or as much as they can. Why shouldn't they make as much as possible? Especially if they are truely good and in demand. As a business owner I know how difficult it is to run a business, and expensive. During the busy season I definately charge more for what I do especially if it pulls me away from regular customers who use me several times a season.

[Machias]

Wow, glad I got two rugs and two heads mounted in the 90s, both rugs were awesome and cost me $675 each and the shoulder mounts were $400 each, but hey that was nearly 10 years ago, where does the time go!!