I took in a black bear that has an Eye to nose measurement of almost 6 and 1/4 in. the neck circumfrence was 30in. I can alter forms and do so on a regular basis. the bears weight was 612 lbs and weighed 487 lbs dressed. nose to base of tail salted is 84in girth is almost 65 the customer could not afford a life size mount so I talked him into doing a shoulder mount. I am a stickler on using quality products and can't seem to find a shoulder form even close. The question I have is do I start off with the biggest black bear form and make it larger or do I get a Brown bear or polar bear shoulder form and alter it down? I know that a black and a brown have many differences and have used A life size brown form and turned it into a black but it was a job and a half. Any input is greatly appreciated.
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Ernine,
I haven't been fortunate to run into that situtation. Since you are only dealing with a shoulder mount and not the whole bear, I would order a bear form that matches as close as possable the measurements you have on hand whether it ends up being a grizzly form instead of a black bear form. If you should have to alter it, it would be less than trying to get a black bear form that isn't close to fit. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is I hope the hunter saved the skull and is interested in maybe getting this in the B&C Record Book.
The skull is being sent out. it's a good 21"