Bear Form question

[boarhunter67]

I got a big bear this year that I want to do a life-sized mount standing on hind legs.  It measures 40" circumference and 70" long.  The closest I could find in any of my books was from Vandykes p. 101 BR-100885 which is 39 1/2 circumference and 59" long.  Can I lengthen it 10" without it looking funny?  The next closest are around 50x61 or 51x72 or 68x53.  I'm going to probably use a change out head since his head was enormous.  I'm afraid if I take a 51x72 and shave it, it will look too skinny and the arms and so forth won't fit.  Any advice would be helpful.

[Wayne R]

The measurements you have just don't seem right. Looking at the measurements of forms that are out there also suggests that as well. Are these measurements being taken off a tanned hide while trying to get as much width out of it as possible? That circumference measurement to me is pretty important, because that will also determine how heavy the form is throughout, like the shoulders, hips, neck and head. If you go long and skinny, that is how the bear will look. I'm almost wondering if that bear is closer to measurements of the first form you mentioned?

[boarhunter67]

The measurements were taken off the carcass.

[Wayne R]

Get the hide tanned, then pull it width wise as much as you can, before you measure for length. Don't order any forms until you get that hide back from the tannery.

[boarhunter67]

Okay.

[Jim B]

I agree with Wayne.Those measurements still don't sound right.I killed an ancient old bear that was all skin and bones and it measured 64"X40" girth.That bear couldn't get any skinnier.

At any rate,if your bear was a true 70" bear,you need a 70" form.Get a form the proper length,then try the skin on and reduce the circumferences to fit it.I am positive that my 40" girth bear will go 48".Very skinny animals sometimes have the skin that they had before getting skinny.

If you start with a shorter form,all the legs will be too short as will the neck etc.Get the closest form to 70" that you can find,if it is a truly 70" bear and whittle it down with a sawzall untill it fits the skin.

I also agree you should measure the rehydrated,tanned skin before doing anything.

[bill@hogheaven]

Follow Wayne & Jims advice on this one. Stretch the heck out of it for width.

[boarhunter67]

Thanks. Will do.

[3maytaxidermy]

Sometimes its gonna seem that the strech is not there, but if you work it, it will get where you need it. My experiences with bears are that there is not a perfect form in any catalog across the globe for a lifesize bear. Just use your skills and alter it, but do not make it skinny with a boone and crockett head. lol

[John Bellucci]

I got a big bear this year that I want to do a life-sized mount standing on hind legs.  It measures 40" circumference and 70" long.  The closest I could find in any of my books was from Vandykes p. 101 BR-100885 which is 39 1/2 circumference and 59" long.  Can I lengthen it 10" without it looking funny?  The next closest are around 50x61 or 51x72 or 68x53.  I'm going to probably use a change out head since his head was enormous.  I'm afraid if I take a 51x72 and shave it, it will look too skinny and the arms and so forth won't fit.  Any advice would be helpful.

The measurement that most concerns me is the girth.  With a bear that long in its length -- by the way, not common but also not unheard of -- its girth should be more.  It is possible it was measured too high up on the torso, but I don't know ... I wasn't there so it's just my guess.  Get the hide back from the tannery, stretch it width-wise as much as possible, and if the length is the same, and the girth is larger, there are mannikins for it.  If the length is the same but the girth is smaller, reduce the girth on the mannikin.  Trial fit the skin as you go to make sure you don't make it too skinny!

Jonas has a Black Bear with the correct length, and others that are pretty darn close!
http://www.jonas-supply.com/_e/Bear_Black/product/3-152380/Bear_Black_5_x_13_x_68_x_52_Stnd_On_Hind_Legs_Arms_Down_RT_PosTex.htm
# 3-152380 Bear-Black - 5¼ x 13 x 68 x 52 - Stnd On Hind Legs, Arms Down, RT PosTex


#3-152390 Bear-Black - 5½ x 13½ x 64 x 47 - Stnd On Hind Legs, LT PosTex


#3-152163 Bear-Black - 5x13x63x45-3/4 Standing on hind legs


#3-585W Bear-Black - 6 x 14 x 65½ x 54 - Standing hind legs Jonas Series


Research Mannikins has some too!
BEAR STANDING RT 2
[L-2142] $354.95
Black Bear, 5 1/4" x 11 3/4" x 62" x 42" ( 24 5/8" neck ) Standing, RT, Pulling down branches, by Mike Frazier, Recommended eye size: 16mm


BLACK BEAR LT OM 2
[L-154-4] $381.65
Black Bear, 5 3/4" x 13 1/2" x 63" x 54" Open Mouth No Jaws, Charging, Upright, LT, by Mike Frazier, Recommended eye size: 16mm


This is a small Grizzly.  Change out his head with a Black Bear, and you're on your way!
GRIZZLY BEAR LS CM
[L-169-55] $572.70
Grizzly Bear, 5 7/8" x 13 3/8" x 60" x 47 1/2" Standing, Upright, CM, Head LT, Slight twist to torso, by Bill Lancaster, Recommended eye 18mm


Good luck to you!

John.

[Hoytman]

Lord Rusty..

I have a similar situation... Got a Black bear in that was tanned (dry) by a unknown source... Absolutely like cardboard.. Anyway, with some relax R, salt and h20. I got it rehydrated 36 hrs later, Stretched for width.. as It looks skinny already, Here are the measurments

4.5" nose eye
19" Neck cir
40" Width   (thats tight
and 60" Nose to base of tail

Guy wants a walking down hill or Walking right, head turned to the right... Ive checked.. Research, MK, Van, Jonas, WASCO.. and a couple more.. I am almost stumped.. Urggggg..

[boarhunter67]

Thanks Rusty and all.  I'm going to wait until I get the hide back.  I'm convinced I measured incorrectly.  I think I measured too high (around the ribcage) because it was already gutted before I skinned it.  Write it down to inexperience.  The only life-sized bear I've done was just helping on a few for a fellow taxidermist where the form and hide were already prepped.  I'm sure once I get the hide back I'll come up with different numbers.  Thanks again.

[John Bellucci]

Thanks Rusty and all.  I'm going to wait until I get the hide back.  I'm convinced I measured incorrectly.  I think I measured too high (around the ribcage) because it was already gutted before I skinned it.  Write it down to inexperience.  The only life-sized bear I've done was just helping on a few for a fellow taxidermist where the form and hide were already prepped.  I'm sure once I get the hide back I'll come up with different numbers.  Thanks again.

Bingo!  That's exactly what I was saying to my wife when I explained this situation.  I told her I had a feeling it might have been measured around the ribs ... a common mistake, and not a big deal if caught and early on. 

The belly circumference is what is used for the measurements on lifesize.  I realize you know that, and now it makes sense ... being gutted makes it tough, tough, tough, to get a correct girth measurement! 

And if you look at those mannikins, you'll notice the upper torso is not as large around as the belly area, so there's your problem! 

At any rate, you have a huge Black Bear there!  It will make one impressive trophy!   Keep us updated on this beast!

Take care,
John.

[The Legacy Studio's]

Just wanted to thank all for this post, I have two balck bears that I have to do and was wondering on the measurements for lifesize forms also.
Thought it was useful.
Jim

[Hoytman]

I went with this form.. and ordered this rock..

Anyone ever use this rock? The plan is to have it on the wall like a cliff or ledge, But I think its open on the bottom..