Need a taxidermist for bear rug

[Hike-In-Hunter25]

Hi everyone! 

I have to say this forum rocks!  I have always been active in the outdoors and more so into hunting.  I was lucky enough to have a grandfather who took me hunting when I was young but basically I have been teaching myself and learning as I go.  No kills yet but lots of picture of hunting adventures deep in the wilderness.

I have a family friend who lives up in the Copper Valley in Alaska and he has invited me to go hunting for bear this May.  I can't wait to learn as much as I can from such an experienced hunter and enjoy the Alaskan Wilderness.  Hopefully bagging a nice bear too!!

I want to plan as much as I can before my hunt so I am prepared to handle the kill.  My friend told me I would be better off bringing the hide back with me after we salt it.  He said we will split the lips and have everything ready to go for a rug. 

Now the big question is what taxidermist would you recommend I use in Western, WA for this rug? 

Any help would be great!

Thanks and good luck to all of you this year!

[mossback91]

I believe that Michelle_Nelson a member on here does alot of bear rugs.......they all look real good to me too

[huntnphool]

Welcome to the site Check the taxi area we have several good taxi's on here to choose from.

[boneaddict]

Exactly.  Lots of pics on here.   Should speak for themselves. WELCOME to the site.

[Michelle_Nelson]

First off Welcome to the site Hike-In-Hunter25!  Lots of great and knowledgeable people on this site.

Here is a link to an Artilcle I wrote on "Skinning a Bear and Field Care Info for Mounts & Rugs".  You can print it of and take it with you on your hunt.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,9441.0.html

Here is a link to my Taxidermy website so you can view pictures of my work.  Feel free to call me with any questions you may have.  (360) 704 - 0034

www.freewebs.com/mntaxidermy/index.htm

Here are some photos and a close up of work I have done. 

[Michelle_Nelson]

Another link to take note of is the information a taxidermist is require to keep on record from the hunter. 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17925.0.html

[BENCHLEG]

i pick elkstuffer he is going to do my work this year. he is on the east side. BUT WORTH THE DRIVE.

[Hike-In-Hunter25]

Thank you for all of the help!  I'm happy to know that there are some great resources on here!  I'm only 5 weeks away and can't wait

Michelle and Bucklucky you two seem to have quite a few friends on here that like your services and I hope both of you stay plenty busy this year with all the animals that are going to be taken. 

Does anyone know what the best way to get the hide back to Seattle would be?  (Freeze it in AK and bring it on the plane? ship it?)

Thanks again everyone and I'll make sure to keep close tabs on this site and help when I can.

Good luck to all of you going after the spring bear this year!

[elkaholic]

As always Michelle, work looks awesome!!!!!

[bucklucky]

Hey Jon, here are the pictures of my Rugs you asked for in the PM. Not very good pics but get the job done.

The first is a 7' 3" bear from Oregon. His head was all rubbed out. That is the largest blackbear shell they had!

The next  3 is all the same bear, 6'8" from Oregon .

And the last one is a Tiny bear, real skinny and thin. Bout 80 pounds.

[Michelle_Nelson]

 
Does anyone know what the best way to get the hide back to Seattle would be?  (Freeze it in AK and bring it on the plane? ship it?)

Did you read the Field Care guide on skinning Bears for Mounts and Rugs? Specificly the last parts about Skinning, Field Care, Freezing, and Salting?

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,9441.0.html

To answer your question about getting your hide home. 

How long is your trip?  Are you coming out as soon as you kill a bear or are you hoping for multiple animals?  If your guide is proficient at salting than I say salt the hide.  That is removing the skull and paws.  Along with splitting the lips, ears, nose, eyes and removing the meat and fat on the hide.  Salt has to be on the skin in order to work properly.  If he is salting over chunks or meat and fat than he is wasting his time and it's not doing anything for the hide.

If you will have acess to a freezer shortly after killing the Bear, will you have time to freeze it?  If you remove the skull / paws and fold the hide it may take 2 days for the hide to freeze solid. 

I would bring the hide back with you when you come on the plane.