Just want to do a short survey here, how many of you taxidermists tan your own bear rugs, and how many of you send yours to the tannery. Whats the pros and cons of both, and can you realy get a good tan by yourself with the right equipment, and what is the equipment you need?
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It's a personal choice again. I myself like to send any life size rug to the tannery anf let them do it. It's a pain doing large bears bymyself. As for shoulder mounts, I will do it myself.
It takes time to do a bear by yourself and that's what a tanner does. It takes the time away from you and being there more and better equipped to do the work.
So all in all if you have time go right ahead and tan them if not let the pros do it.
I agree with Frank-- it's a personal choice. I home tanned my first bear. It took me about twelve hours from start to finish (not including down time for salt, pickle, degreasing, tanning, oiling). The main reason I did it was because most people on this site say not to (I took it as a challenge) and also because it was my bear and I had the time to do it. Saying that, I'm extremely pleased with the reults but there's no way I will do it again. I will adjust my prices to make up for the tannery.
I'm thinking you can add another five hours worth of breaking and sanding the hide for a rug. Need to ask yourself if it's worth it.
Forgot to mention the tools you will need: Fleshing machine, wire wheel for fat pockets in hide, salt rack, large soaking containers, 150lbs of salt, tumbler. I'm thinking that is about it but probably missing something.
tan it yourself but why? If you want a quality tanned bear hide you need to send it to The Wildlife Gallery! Their work is 2nd to none! They do a great job and I bet if you send it to them you will be VERY happy with it. You can reach them at 989-561-5369, they are located in Blanchard Michigan. I do not beleive that you will be able to achieve the tan you want if you do it yourself. Good luck. Dan Hudzik
To produce a good quality tan is very labor intensive and time cosuming on large bears, Consider the things required to do it. You are going to need large plastic containers, large volumes of pickeling and degreasing solutions, along with a responsable way of disposal for them. You need a good quality fleshing wheel, a large tumbler and lots of time. Now for those of us who like to make a good hourly wage consider what a good tannery charges to tan a bear approx. $40\lin. ft. For my business tanning bears is not cost effective! If your just hobbying or learning you may want to try it, Tanning is a part of this trade everyone should be familiar with, and to do one , you will learn much!
I'm a wholesale rug maker. I've had stiff home tans come in that actually smelled. Didn't get all the grease off the bear. Or didn't take out the toes. My policy now is NO non commercial tans.