HOW TO SKIN A BEAR 
 
First off you need to know how you want to have your bear mounted, will it be a life size, standing or walking. Or will it be a rug, or maybe a wall mount (like a shoulder mount deer). Go visit a couple different Taxidermist, talk to them they will be glad you are interested in a good mount, see their work, ask questions. If you don’t know what to ask, Email me and I will give you a few technical question and they will know you have done your home work. Here are the three cuts to use when you skin a bear, and the types of mounts you use each for: 

Life Size, Standing 

The first one is a Dorsal cut, this is mostly used if it is going to be a standing bear looking at you (cause the seam will be on the back). What you need to do is from the neck/shoulder area insert your knife under the skin and with a upward motion cut down the spine toward the tail. Cut through the tail bone leaving the tail with the hide Now just start pulling up on the hide and cut between the meat and the hide, working each side. cut off the neck at the shoulder area and continue down the legs, go as far down as you can to the paw and cut it off. Get as much meat and fat off as you can at this point. Wrap it up and freeze it or keep it cold until you get it to your taxidermist. 

Rugs & Walking Bears 

The second way is a Ventral incision mostly used for rugs, walking bears or similar poses. Lay the bear on his back, start a incision between it’s front legs and the center of his chest and go toward the tail area, keeping your knife under the skin and pulling upwards so as not to cut any hair. Go to the right or left of the penis and down to the tail. Now from where you first started, go up the inside of each leg staying in the center to the paw. Do the same on the rear legs. Next, start pulling up on the hide and cutting between the meat and hide. Cut off the neck and wrist leaving the head and paws with the hide. You will need to work one side than the other. Again wrap the hide up and freeze it or keep it cold until you can get it to your Taxidermist. 

Wall Mounts 

If you are going to do a wall mount start about 6-8" behind the front legs and go all the way around, now in a "V" cut the bottom of the "V" being the center of the chest where you just made your circle cut around the bear and the top of the "V" being the arm pit area. make this cut and, remember, stay under the skin and do not cut the hair. Go up the outside of the leg where the hair is longer, up to the paw and cut it off at the wrist area, Skin up to the neck/shoulder area and cut it off leaving the head in the skin. 

Good Luck. I am also going bear hunting with Safari Nordik 1-800-361-3748 on the week of June 14th in northern Quebec. Have any questions please Email me. I will give you a Hunting Report when I get back. 

If you need more information or have a Question, please Email me., Good Hunting