Bear hide tanning
 

Hey everyone, I shot my first bear on the 12th, and now I’m working on getting the hide ready for tanning.

there’s a lot of grease and fat on the hide, and I would like some advice on how to get that off without damaging the hide.

Do I need to pick up a fleshing knife in order to do that?

Yes, a fleshing knife works best IMO. You will also have to open the paws and flesh them and cut the foot out at the last toe joint before the claw. Are you tanning for a rug or a mount?

Actually, it’s confession time. this was my very first bear. When I got the hide and skull off for the mandatory check requirement, I made quite a few mistakes. After the check requirement, I made the mistake of cutting off the paws and head. I did this because I didn’t know how to remove the bones and stuff.

As a result of all the mistakes I made, I’m left with an 18” x 20” square of the hide.

yes, I made quite a few mistakes I didn’t know how to fix. What can I say? It was my first bear, and I was inexperienced.

thanks for the advice anyway.

what I plan to do with the square is one of my original ideas of making a quilt that has a bunch of game fur on it. For display purposes only. I don’t want to lose any hair on the hides.

next time I get bear, though, Ill have someone who is experienced help me.

thanks for helping me out anyway.

Not a problem