Any helpful hints on skinning a black bear?

Crazytrout

Crazytrout

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
149   0   0
Realize that gutting a black bear is very similar to a deer, however any hints on where I can look for skinning a black bear for a rug?

Thanks

CT
 
Bear needs to be dead first

After that when you make the cuts for the limbs streatch the legs out and pick a good line the cut starting from the paws to the center line. It's easier to get a straght line than from the center out.

If your close to a freezer dont skin the head out let the taxidermist do that.
 
One tip I can give is when cutting down the front leg DONT cut through the thin hair in the arm pit. Rater try to get just in front (front means head end)of the bald patch.

If you cut through thin hair in the arm pit the sew marks from the taxidermest will be easy to see.

Also make sure that you cut dead center up the belly.

If you are NOT going to make life sized mount it is faster to cut the pad right off the foot when skinning down to the toes. Life sized mounts need the pads though.
 
Last edited:
I use a skinny olfa knife (boxcutter) with disposable blades to do the paws and ears and lips. works much better than a regular skinning knife, you hold it like a pencil and skin away. Throw away after.
 
If this is going to be your first bear skinning job, prepare to be seriously weirded out. When it comes to skinning out the paws you'll soon see what I mean. Looks exactly like a human hand under the paw. Also, the carcass (limbs and rib cage, etc...) look surprisingly human like.
 
Don't gut it.

The last couple of bears we skinned and butchered using the 'gutless' method, and it is way, way better.

keep the front leg cuts on the *top* part of the legs (not through the armpits) and the rear legs o n the *bottom of the legs. (Butthole to the edge of the pad)
 
Gatehouse said:
Don't gut it.

The last couple of bears we skinned and butchered using the 'gutless' method, and it is way, way better.

keep the front leg cuts on the *top* part of the legs (not through the armpits) and the rear legs o n the *bottom of the legs. (Butthole to the edge of the pad)
Click to expand...
Tried that on deer a while back, gives a much cleaner hide, and is easier to work with too, as your hands are not all bloody and sticky.
PIA to handle an un gutted bear out of the bush though. Do you skin at the kill site?
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Tried that on deer a while back, gives a much cleaner hide, and is easier to work with too, as your hands are not all bloody and sticky.
PIA to handle an un gutted bear out of the bush though. Do you skin at the kill site?
Click to expand...

Yes, in theses cases...

But I admit that circumstances will really dictate what you can or can not do:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom