Bear mounting options

[brill16hockey]

I am going on a bear hunt this June, and I was wondering if I was lucky enough to kill one, what are some of the options for mounting?  I mean I understand I could get a full body mount, head mount, bear rug, or skull mount (I think thats it), but what are the prices like for these, and what do you think is the best option?  Maybe some pictures too?

[BowMIke]

I have a standing full body mount that looks terrific and everyone who stops by thinks is great. But, they are expensive. I have a hunting buddy who mounted this one for me. He did a great job on it. I have my biggest made into a rug, which I hung on the wall of our stairway. It looks nice too.
I like  the standing full body the best.
Hope you see several bears. Its a fun hunt.

[brill16hockey]

I'm guessing if you do a rug that you could bleach the skull too right?

[JoeM]

I had my bear done in a half mount and was very happy with it.  I didn't want to spend the money on  a full mount or give up the space so this was a good compromise. Rugs always seem to find there way into the closet after a few years.  These bears aren't mine but I took pics of them at Harrisburg.
 
 

[Zbearclaw]

Please no snarl, but besides that you can do the skull regardless of how the hide is done.

I would consider the hide as well.  A 8' bear that is rubbed all over will look like a huge bear with the mange.

I know guys with 10 bears under their belt that haven't rugged one yet, which is how I think they look the best.

A good bear I would do the skull and maybe a shoulder if I wasn't going to go back soon.  If I was going to go back often I would possibly freeze the hide and see what happens with finances and future opportunity for big bears.

My javie this year was huge and I totally regret not saving the hide for a rug even though I can't afford it now.  The freezer can "bank" it till you decide what to do with it.

[Spectre]

Originally posted by brill16hockey:
I am going on a bear hunt this June, and I was wondering if I was lucky enough to kill one, what are some of the options for mounting?  I mean I understand I could get a full body mount, head mount, bear rug, or skull mount (I think thats it), but what are the prices like for these, and what do you think is the best option?  Maybe some pictures too?

Ooo......bad mojo.

[Pat B]

The coolest bear mount I ever saw(I think it was here on TG) had the bear at a full run and only one foot on the ground. Very cool!!!

[Biggie Hoffman]

Unless your bear has a BIG head, a half mount sometimes doesn't do it justice. I mean, a bears mass is in his ass. If you don't include it, they look small to me. I have one half mount and everytime I look at it I wish I'd done something different. Now I HAVE seen some that look great but they have 20" skulls.

A full mount gives you alot of options as far as the pose, on all fours, standing, etc. But you're talking $2000 and up. I have one done on all fours and I like it fine. If I ever get a 7'er, I'll have a standing mount done.

Go to the taxidermist late spring or summer and see what they're doing. Most will be glad to show you different mounts that they're working on. Remember, the hide will keep in the freeezer until you're ready. Don't rush into it and get something you're not happy with.

[brill16hockey]

Yeah, I know its bad mojo!  But, I am 5 weeks out from my first bodybuilding show, and I need to keep finding things to get my spirits up/and keep my mind off eating anything I see.  Anyway, Im doin the BearQuest thing with Tom Phillips, and I'm pretty sure that guy has enough mojo to go around!

[brill16hockey]

Whats an average price for a rug?  And your saying its not worth it unless it has a really nice coat?

[BowMIke]

A rug can run $1000 to $1400 for a 6 footer.
The skulls clean up and look realy nice. I did my biggest, but wish I had sent it out. For around $80 they will let their Dermistad beetles clean it up and then whiten and seal it. It looks much better than the one I did myself.

[klm5121]

I get my bear back in July, I am having a half mount kind of like the one above. I am thinking about doing this to the skull...
 

[mrgreenhead]

just remember quebec bears bout 150lb on average with a few over 200. I would do a half mount on them

[Maxximusgrind]

You can do the skull wether you get a mount or not,and if your really daring can do that yourself.But its pretty suprizing too me how small the skull always looks.
 My best bud just got one without any teeth,Never had any.And He's having a half mount and the skull done.But I think its costing him plenty to get a mouth form done with no teeth for the open mouth pose.But I cant say for sure his taxidermist probably gives him a bulk rate.   :rolleyes:

[Spectre]

Originally posted by brill16hockey:
Yeah, I know its bad mojo!  But, I am 5 weeks out from my first bodybuilding show, and I need to keep finding things to get my spirits up/and keep my mind off eating anything I see.  Anyway, Im doin the BearQuest thing with Tom Phillips, and I'm pretty sure that guy has enough mojo to go around!

HooYah! That should be the experience of a lifetime. Injure an appendage.

[JimB]

First step is to kill a bear.I know that is a no brainer but the size and quality of the bear will have influence on what option would display it best and how much you want to invest in it.

Know that all taxidermy work isn't created equal.My advice would be find a quality taxidermist with a good reputation,now,and get some suggestions from him.He may be able to show you photos of options or possibly finished work.

You should get the skull cleaned regardless of what else you decide.

Just tanning the hide would be one of the cheapest options.

A rug has the hide tanned,head mounted and usually a decorative,double felt border around the edge plus is lined on the bottom and should be padded.They are a lot of work and take up a big chunk of floor or wall space.

A shoulder mount will cost a few hundred-closed mouth is cheaper.They don't take up much space.

Another version of the shoulder mount is a pedestal mount.This is a shoulder mount attached to a habitat base and sits on a table,shelf,etc.They cost more than a shoulder but there is no end to the creative possibilities depending on the taxidermist.These can have a lot of eye appeal.

A half lifesize doesn't take up a lot of space but normally costs 75% of the price of a full lifesize.It can be creative too or just a half bear coming out of the wall.

A full mount is a big investment and you probably should reserve this option for a really good quality bear.Quality to you may be a huge bear,a great quality skin,a different color or all of the above.There are a few options as far as poses and the taxidermist can help you choose one that best shows the positive attribute of your bear.

Keep in mind,the best hair on the bear is on his sides and back.The weakest is on his belly.Sometimes a bear on hind legs exhibits more of the weak belly hair and less of the thick body hair.It doesn't always show the best part of the bear.

Your taxidermist can give you a range of prices for the different options but don't get to set on anything until you get your bear.

It's kind of like trying to set up a properly tuned batch of arrows but you haven't bought the bow yet.

[GMMAT]

Please no snarl, but besides that you can do the skull regardless of how the hide is done.
 

A friend of mine runs a bear guide service in Canada.  This (above) is one of his pet peeves.  He's said (re: 'snarl' mounts) that it seems funny on something that's really just an overgrown 'COON!....lol

[Spectre]

GMMAT, thank you for that. For some reason I can't quit laughing now.

[Gary Logsdon]

I hunted blackies each spring (and one fall) over a period of 25 years, including 14 consecutive springs when I guided small groups of bowhunters in Canada. The point being that I've seen a lot of possiblilties when it comes to bear mounts. In my home you can find quite a variety of bear taxidermy; full mounts, 3/4, rugs, skulls - you name it.  For me, the best of all worlds has got to be the 3/4 mount (That's a 3/4 mount in my avatar photo).  Full mounts are expensive and take up a lot of space.  They look great but you must consider how you're going to pay for it and where will it end up:^)  The 3/4 is cheaper, and shows off more of the chest and abdomen (see Biggie's comments) than a half mount.  Forget head or neck mounts . . .  trust me.  IF you get lucky and take a bear just remember that they aren't whitetails and need to be cooled down and/or skinned even faster.  Their hides are surprisingly thin and nothing seems to heat up in the sun like a thick coat of black hair!!

[Gary Logsdon]

A side note:  If you ever take a bear with thin belly hair ask your taximdermist about all of creative ways currently available to hide bare spots on front facing mounts.  My taxidermist is an absolute magician!!