04/24/2025
First off, with my current back log being longer than I would like, spring bears and turkeys might be on a case by case basis! (Just check in with me first please) But these tips I’m going to give you are a good tool to follow and any taxidermist will thank you for it!
First off with your turkeys, for a full mount, you’ll want to bring the entire bird in unskinned. If it’s not possible to coordinate a drop off the same day while the bird is fresh, you will want to freeze it whole. You can remove the tail to help save some space in the freezer but also to help protect it from being damaged. If the bird is wet, it’s not necessary to dry it. If it’s dirty, it’s not necessary to clean it. It will go through a thorough washing anyways. And you will still get your meat back! Bag it in a good quality garbage bag and remove as much air as possible.
For tail mounts, all you need to bring in is the tail, legs if you want to include those/spurs and the beard as well.
For the feather frames. The bird doesn’t need to come in whole! It can be skinned out any way you’d like. That won’t affect how the mount is done. But do bring in the tail and wings as well.
Bears! PLEASE PLEASE have a plan in place for these guys before you even go on the hunt. Trying to skin a bear in the dark without some sort of idea on how to do it is just asking for trouble! You guys are more than welcome to call/text/message me and I’ll help you out with this the best I can!
For rugs, follow the diagram that will be posted below. Use a sharp knife! Keep the head still attached to the hide (disconnect at the back of the head) and keep the paws attached as well (disconnect at the wrist). Since rugs are priced by the foot, it would be wise to measure it from nose to tail before freezing so you have atleast a good idea on a price before hand. This also applies for a lifesize bear. Try keeping your cuts as symmetrical as possible as well!
For 1/2 mounts, if you can tube the bear as you would a deer, that is ideal! Especially if a bear has thin hair on the belly area, that is difficult to sew and hide convincingly, I might be good but I’m not a magician!😂 if you’re certain on doing a 1/2 mount, you can also do a dorsal cut which is splitting it down the centre of the back. Also keep the head and paws attached for this. And keep everything from the centre of the stomach forward. And if you’re still not sure, just bring the whole hide!
For a shoulder mount bear, tube it as well if possible. Keep the head still attached to the hide. You do need more hide than you’d think for this so I do recommend you bring in everything from the back of the front legs forward to be safe!
Most of the time, people aren’t really sure what mount style they’d like initially so then I recommend it be skinned for a rug so everything is there and any mount style is doable with some sewing.
THINGS TO NOT DO!
Don’t hang your bear by the neck
Don’t drag your bear by the neck
If you’re using a fourwheeler to drag it out, put something underneath it to prevent hair loss, a tarp, a sled, you’re favorite jacket anything is better than nothing!
For freezing, roll the bear up but keep the head on the outside. Do not wrap the hide around the head. With large bears especially, it takes awhile for them to thaw and this can cause slippage on the face.
Do not leave large chunks of meat still on the hide.
Bear hides are much more delicate than that of a deer. You don’t have as much leeway and slippage can begin quicker especially in the warmer weather, get that skin cooled down asap!
Anyone going on any out of province hunts or backcountry hunts that need to completely skin out the bear and potentially have to salt it in the field. Please message me for some directions on measurements to take before skinning and how to split and turn the face (although an outfitter “should” be able to help you with this).
* I’m not offering just hide tanning as of yet so for any requests about that, I can give you the names of some people/tanneries that do offer it!
* I can also pull the premolars for you if you want to send them to the ministry to have your bear aged!
My forgetful mind is likely missing something so if you have any questions. Shoot me a message please! Hopefully this info is helpful too.
Best of luck to everyone this spring, shoot straight, enjoy your time spent in the outdoors with family and friends and just have a damn good ol’ time doing it!!👌👌