When ever I measure a bear, I measure to see how much the bear will square. I take my measurements either after the bear has been skinned (with head out) or after the bear has been tanned. The first measurement I take is form tip of nose to tip of tail. (On the tail I measure to the tip of the hide not last tip of hair) Next I measure the width of the bear by measuring the distance across from both front legs, form tip of claw to tip of claw. Then you average to two measurements to come up with a square. That is how I have always done my measurements on a bear but others may do it differently. I hope this has helped you.