Skinning a full bodied bear

I am skinning a bear my husband got in Canada.I have done one before but I have forgotten how to skin out the feet. It is so hard to pull the skin down over the feet. What joint do I cut the bones befor I get to the nails? And do I clean the little pads just under the toenails too? I have cut the skin down to the pads of the foot but cant seem to get the skin to roll on over so I can skin down between toes. Do I need to split farther or what. I really dont want to split the pads. Can someone help?

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Cut around em

Follow the hair line around the pads about 3/4 of the way around. This will allow you to get down to the last digit of the toes and get ALL the flesh out you can. Hope this helps.
Later
Me

No real need too

I routinely skin out bear feet without making any incision in the foot pad OR feet. If you cut the foot off at the wrist/ankle joint, you can tie the bone up and pull the skin right over the foot. You MUST use a sharp scalpel and cut the fatty tissue close to the interior of the foot pad but once you clear the "heel" area, the skinning is little different that a squirrel except the bones are bigger. All my rugs are done this way. On life-sized mounts, I cut right through the center of the pad. That will allow the anchor bolts to be installed easier. I staple the pads back to the mannikin with 9/16 short crowned staples. The pads set flat and the repairs certainly aren't going to be seen anyway.

Thank you George

The anchor bolts was my net question. The bear is going to be standing. Ihave never done one that way. So could you give me some advise on putting in the anchor bolts.The black bear is fairly large not sure of the weight. the guide said it was one of the biggest black bears taken. Thank you so much.

Split the pads

Those 3/8 inch and 1/2 bolts are already cast into the form. If you split the pads to the base of the toes, they'll slip right around the bolts.

Thanks a bunch George

Thanks a bunch. I have done a 1/2 lifesize and it turned out great. I have never done a lifesize.So I have never seen the maniquin. I am so glad I ran across this forum. Thank you again for your help.

Thanks a bunch George

Thanks a bunch. I have done a 1/2 lifesize and it turned out great. I have never done a lifesize.So I have never seen the maniquin. I am so glad I ran across this forum. Thank you again for your help.

Thanks a bunch George

Thanks a bunch. I have done a 1/2 lifesize and it turned out great. I have never done a lifesize.So I have never seen the maniquin. I am so glad I ran across this forum. Thank you again for your help.