I am a novice. I am going on a spring bear hunt in N.B. Canada in June. Am going to do lifesize. My question: should I freeze it fresh or salt it for the trip home? I am going to take my fleshing beam and knife with me to get fat off ASAP. It will take me 2 days to get home,will transport in insulated box. Any advice will be considered.Thanks!
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Spring bear can be a real BEAR and either of your ideas is good. Only and I mean ONLY if you can quick freeze the hide and then KEEP it frozen for the duration should that be done. As you are going to be on hand during this goat-rope, I'd suggest that you skin it while eliminating as much fat as possible right then. Go ahead and turn the ears and split the lips and eyebrows. Salt it only if you can leave it hanging overnight so that the water can drip out of it. Resalt is even better. Also make darned sure you remove the feet down to the claw nails and salt it heavily too.
Personally, given the option, I'd rather go the salt route as I wouldn't chance the hair slipping during the thaw-refreeze cycle.
with George.If at all possible flesh and double salt this beast.Spring weather can be unpredictably warm and transporting frozen is chancy at best.
Thanks G.& L. Will this salted skin keep till fall, or should I send to tannery right away? How should I store it if it will keep? Also reccomend a good tannery. I live in Northern New York, any good ttannerys in the NE part of the country? Will send anywhere that is good and tans dorsal cut bear?
Salted capes will store indefinitely as long as they are dry and hard. East Coast in Perkasie PA does a great job on bear.
Gotta ask, why the dorsal? If it's an upright that's the only way to go, but if it's any other pose, the ventral works well there too. Spring bear shouldn't cause you problems either way with their long hair however.
Excellent advise on taking care of your bear.I've also used East Coast Tannery with great results!