A guy brought me a bear to mount and the hide and head are froze solid in a big ball. Iam worried about the thing spoiling in this hotter than hell weather we are having. I am afraid to just let it sit out for a couple days to thaw when it is 90 degrees plus. It is way to big to put in a fridge to thaw. Any advice?
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i thaw mine on the floor of my shop in the summer. you shouldnt have any trouble. i wouldnt thaw it outside in the sun though.
Try to pick the coolest day you can if that's possible.Anytime you thaw a bear it is important not to let it sit in a ball to thaw.It can take days to thaw enough to work on that way.Meantime,the ears,nose etc. that thaw the first couple hours could spoil.What I do in hot weather or cool is to try to get hold of one of the hind feet-sometimes it has to thaw on the floor a couple hours before I can get it.I hang it from the ceiling by the hind foot before I go to bed.This way the weight of the head etc. unravels the hide as it thaws and allows other parts to thaw.Usually I can work on it by morning or at least lunch time.Don't be afraid to start fleshing before the hide is 100% thawed.The back of the head will probably be the last to thaw.Get the paws out and whatever else you can do while you wait for it to thaw that last little bit.Also be ready to start fleshing as soon as it's thawed enough and schedule your time so that you stay on it till it's finished,then salt.I have an "eye" bolt in my ceiling to hang them from and a steel hook with a sharp point that I drive through the frozen ankle skin,then hang from the "eye" bolt.This hanging system keeps you from having to constantly go over and pull at the skin to unravel it as it thaws.It unravels itself as you sleep and is ready to work on early the next day so you have time to get it done.Thawing at night may also be a little cooler.Good luck.
How about an ice chest or a large garbage can with the lid on it . Rick
If you have the means buy a air conditioner for the room your going to thaw it in then hang the cape and let it unroll. Works really quick on whitetails. Never did a bear but, if you can find a way to hang it, it should work the same way. Just make sure that as it softens up gently help pull it apart.