Hello
I could use some advise! I just got my bear hide back from the tanner. I had it dry tanned. It is much smaller than expected! It now measure 67" long and 37" wide. I measured the bear right after I harvested it and the measurements were 73" from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail and 50" around the belly. After rehydrating the hide will it stretch back to its original size? Thank you in advance for your help!
Mark
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It should stretch back to the original size of the bear.If your measurements are off the skinned carcass,it should go that size.If you measured the circumference with the hide on,it will be 2-3" less.If you took measurements off the fresh hide and not the body,it won't go that big.I usually figure a gain of 10% in length and app. 25% in width.That would be app. 73"x46"-pretty close.You have to take these estimates with a grain of salt,though.Every tan is different and every hide is different but it gives you a ballpark idea.It should come back to the size of the original carcass.Oh yes,if you are talking about stretching for a rug,it will go bigger.Very nice bear!
Did you rehydrate it? Second question is, why would you dry tan a bear that's going to be mounted? If you haven't rehydrated it, none of the measurements you cite are valid.
Thank you for your responses! I have not rehydrated it yet. However, I will later this week. Those measurements are what I recieved back from the tanner. I did not know anthing about the new wet tan service. I have not mounted a head in about 10 years and have never done a lifesize and I want to try one. I relize now I shoulg have wet tanned the hide but it is to late now. Again, Thanks
Mark