bear rug?

[dakids]

What is the cost of a bear rug?
What is the cost of just tanning the hide?
Are there any other options?
For those of you that have had a rug made would you do it again?

[beeker]

I like my rug...  takes up allot of space and I don't have room for another one so I wouldn't do it again. average rug runs about 1200$ (make sure the backing is stiched on and and not  glued). if the kid gets one this year I'll just tan the hide and have it cut in the shape of a rug that'll run around 200$. and I'll do a european with with the skull.   

[deadeye]

I had one done many years ago.  It is currently hanging in my ex son in laws cabin.   Enough said.

[NephronRacing]

Maybe you could get an ex-son-in-law rug done.  Just a thought.

[bonecollecter82]

I like my rug...  takes up allot of space and I don't have room for another one so I wouldn't do it again. average rug runs about 1200$ (make sure the backing is stiched on and and not  glued). if the kid gets one this year I'll just tan the hide and have it cut in the shape of a rug that'll run around 200$. and I'll do a european with with the skull.   

1200$ wow you should find a new taxidermist maybe my guy 600 tops good quality work.

[beeker]

for 600$... i'ld do another rug.. who's your guy

[bonecollecter82]

Kevin Wachall He is located in Lakefield MN Probably not all that close to you but he does great work. He was taught and teached in the same place as Aggie was and did Want more info I can get it for you

[glenn57]

i pd about $600 too! i had a rug go bad so i had another made. one other idea, ok maybe 2 ideas. i really like my bear shoulder mount. i also have had pillows made out of the hides.  maybe a bit spendy for a pillow..............but who else gotz one!!!!!!!! right!!!! one hide i had 2 pillows made with hide on only one side, the next bear i had a pillow made hide all around.

get the hide tanned and then i took it to someone that does upholstery!

[beeker]

interesting... well I think I'll wait until the kid gets her bear first then we'll work out the logistics of a rug for her... like I said I don't need another. glad I got one.. but one is good enough for my room. who knows they're talking layoffs again here

[lentz]

i got my gear just taned got it back about 2 weeks ago
$261.85 (with tax) he did a great job and im thinking about making it into a rug or a shoulder he said he left the hide so i could still do anything i wanted with it and i proboblly will this winter or next spring

bear was 5ft 2 inches from nose to tip of tail just to give your a idea if you get a bear bigger or smaller what the price range is

[Auggie]

  $140 - $150 a foot for a good quality rug should be a pretty common fair price to find. Most guys that offer a good quality rug have a whole sale person that specializes in just rugs do them. This should be machine sewn and not glued. Most ruggers have a 4' or 5' minimum.
  Just for the tan you can expect around $250-$275 for your average 5-6' bear. And at this price your taxidermist is making very little for his time of splitting, fleshing, and salting. He also has to box it up and pay shipping two directions as well.
   Shoulder and half mounts are pretty common as well and a shoulder will be done for less than a rug and a half mount for about the same money or less than a rug depending on pose and size of course.
   For those of you holding on to dry tanned skins to do work later please be warned that they may not be suitable for mounting of any kind if you hold on to them to long. While they will be fine if left undisturbed and dry for many many years to come, if you decide to have them mounted to far down the road they may fall apart once soaked up due to dry rot or acid rot. I suggest if you have plans to do something with your dry tanned hide you have your taxidermist rehydrate it for you and freeze it. It will have an almost indefinite life span soaked up in the freezer.

[beeker]

thanks for the info auggie.. appreciate it.

 we're going to give the bear another shot this weekend. once the acorns fell he quit hitting our bait.

[wildlifeminnesota]

Well you know I could make a bear  hat or mitts or slipper. 

[beeker]

I'll keep that in mind. I know a guy who got one this year in wisconsin that  wasn't big enough for a rug he wanted. a nice hat or some big mitts would be sweeet

[lentz]

How long is it good for just tanned because I'm thinking I will get a rug next year out of it i got it back a few months ago

[Auggie]

Lentz,
   A year should be no problem if it came from a good commercial tannery. Exact shelf life is hard to determine. The tannery methods or recipe, the storage you provide once in your possession, humidity and the list goes on. I have seen hides mount up fine after being dry tanned and never re hydrated for as long as ten years. I have also seen them fall apart after re hydration after 2-3 years. So like I said before, the best thing to do if you plan to mount your tanned hide is to get it re hydrated and store it in the freezer.