Inexpensive location in Southwestern Ontario to make bearskin run/throw?

wasa

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I was successful in my bear hunt this year, shooting a cub up near Sudbury. I'm located in Southwestern Ontario and was looking at prices to convert the bear pelt (no head, no paws) into a rug or throw but the prices I see are (what I consider) fairly expensive. For example, a place in London Ontario lists $250/ft on their website so I'm guessing about $750.

Does anyone have any leads on a lower-cost alternative? I really don't have the time, skill, or patience to try it myself.

Are there any First Nations businesses that might offer this? Google didn't help me.

Thanks
 
Ha,Didnt think you could cut the paws and head off the hide. Better check with the regs before you start do anymore?

Where did you get that idea??? Yes, you can cut off the head and paws... but why would you? If you don't want to pay for the taxidermy, just skin the head and paws out and leave them attached to the hide to be tanned. If you want cheap, look for a tannery, not a taxidermist. There was one in North Bay... google is your friend.... and it WILL help you, if you help it... try "Ontario Fur Tannery?"

Here is one tannery... they list a finished "dry tan" on a small bear at $100.

http://www.mudry.ca/en/hunters/pricelist/
 
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I was successful in my bear hunt this year, shooting a cub up near Sudbury. I'm located in Southwestern Ontario and was looking at prices to convert the bear pelt (no head, no paws) into a rug or throw but the prices I see are (what I consider) fairly expensive. For example, a place in London Ontario lists $250/ft on their website so I'm guessing about $750.

Does anyone have any leads on a lower-cost alternative? I really don't have the time, skill, or patience to try it myself.

Are there any First Nations businesses that might offer this? Google didn't help me.

Thanks

You shot a cub? Isn't that illegal?
 
In the fall, cubs are not protected. You may shoot any bear you see. The spring hunt prohibits killing cubs or females accompanied with cubs.
 
I personally have no interest in harvesting a bear but see nothing wrong with taking a cub should a person wish to. Some of you guys need to set aside your criticisms and accept that not everyone sees a trophy in their eyes as you do through yours. Personally I could care less if he shot a 60 pound bear or a 600 pound bear as long as he is happy with it and it isn't having a negative impact on the species then go for it. Congratulations on your bear OP. As mentioned above find a tannery, much cheaper than a taxidermist. I am trying to recall the name of the First Nations tannery in North Bay? Demedichi?
 
good food.

Not much good food... I'm all for targeting "meat" animals... I do it regularly, shot a two year old eight pointer last week, passing up a really big 10 pointer... but I also passed up a spike, fork horn and couple 6 poimters as they were just to small to justify harvestimg them... I have also taken a few BBQ bears myself... but a 150 pound 2 1/2 year old is not a 40 pound cub... but hey, if it is legal, and the hunter is happy with it, then knock yourself out... a dead animal is one more out of the population, whether it is 50 pounds or 500 pounds... having guided bear hunters, I have had many clients misjudge the size of live bears and then suffer remorse over massive "ground shrinkage..." and that was AFTER a crash course in estimating size... and suggestions on what to reasonably hold out for.
 
Sorry,but I think if you look at the regs for keeping selling or tanning of a black bear in Ontario,you must leave head and paws on the skin,and leave all (Guts)in the woods including the heart. I may be wrong but don't think so?
 
Following up to my post - I ended up calling/emailing a few places in Southwestern Ontario and decided on http://www.truetolifetaxidermyont.ca/ in Essex.
Price was $250 plus HST, which is much less than the anticipated $750. Was told it will be ready in about 6 months so I have a while to wait to find out if I chose well.

Taxidermist said is was most likely last year's bear (i.e. 1.5 years old).

I went bear hunting for the meat and because I enjoy hunting. It was taken whole (minus guts) to a butcher and now the meat is in my freezer and the hide is at a taxidermist. I also hunt deer, rabbits, ducks, geese, doves, and grouse.
 
The head and claws have to be on it only if it is being sold through one of the auction houses as fur. Otherwise all those nice mounts of heads would be illegal too.
 
Following up to my post - I ended up calling/emailing a few places in Southwestern Ontario and decided on http://www.truetolifetaxidermyont.ca/ in Essex.
Price was $250 plus HST, which is much less than the anticipated $750. Was told it will be ready in about 6 months so I have a while to wait to find out if I chose well.

Taxidermist said is was most likely last year's bear (i.e. 1.5 years old).

I went bear hunting for the meat and because I enjoy hunting. It was taken whole (minus guts) to a butcher and now the meat is in my freezer and the hide is at a taxidermist. I also hunt deer, rabbits, ducks, geese, doves, and grouse.

Basically, you just want a simple tan, actually looks good, have done a bear and a couple of wolves that way. Not hard on the wallet either.

Grizz
 
Sorry,but I think if you look at the regs for keeping selling or tanning of a black bear in Ontario,you must leave head and paws on the skin,and leave all (Guts)in the woods including the heart. I may be wrong but don't think so?

Don't think they're too concerned about the heart. The organ you're looking for that's illegal to separate from the internals is the gall bladder.
 
Where did you get that idea??? Yes, you can cut off the head and paws... but why would you? If you don't want to pay for the taxidermy, just skin the head and paws out and leave them attached to the hide to be tanned. If you want cheap, look for a tannery, not a taxidermist. There was one in North Bay... google is your friend.... and it WILL help you, if you help it... try "Ontario Fur Tannery?"

Here is one tannery... they list a finished "dry tan" on a small bear at $100.

http://www.mudry.ca/en/hunters/pricelist/

There are two tanneries in Blyth that will do the same. Hope that helps.
 
Sorry,but I think if you look at the regs for keeping selling or tanning of a black bear in Ontario,you must leave head and paws on the skin,and leave all (Guts)in the woods including the heart. I may be wrong but don't think so?

You are wrong regarding head and claws for a hunter keeping a rug taken under his own licence to hunt bears. The viscera including gallbladder must be left in the woods, but this does not include the heart.
 
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