I just received a beautiful chocolate black bear back from the tannery to find damage to the muzzle. About two inches above the nose pad right on the short hairs of the mask it appears that during shaving they nicked the hide on the hair side and took it right down to the skin. To give some perspective, the damaged area is elliptical in shape and approximately 1/4inch by 1/2 inch. There is essentially no hair left at all in this spot. However, the skin is still intact. I do not believe the damage has anything to do with slippage because this was a personal harvest and I had it salted shortly after it stopped breathing. In addition, I can see the roots still attached to the skin.
Anyway, I'm extremely disappointed because it couldn't have happened in a worse location. I would like to solicit the experts opinions on their techniques for repair. I'm scratching my head trying to decide whether or not to cut out the bad section w/ a football cut and try to join back together w/ sewing or tech bond. Or should I leave the skin as is and try to blend w/ airbrush or other technique? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Randy
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First off, I picked up the Van Dyke's catalog and bought the black, brown, and gold flocking they sell. I mounted my bear and let it dry. Then I took clear 5 minute epoxy and painted the bare spot. I used my finger and just blew pinches of the three colors on to the epoxy until I had the right colorations prominent. Worked like a charm. Now if your hair is longer than I'd suspect on the muzzle, you might consider epoxy paste instead of the liquid to bulk it up.
Cut out the football-shaped piece as you suggested.Sew it together with either 6 or 10lb.Berkley Fireline and a round household needle.You will be amazed at the results.If the spot were twice that size you would have to come up with a patch.A one quarter inch wide area on the muzzle is definitely sewable and will only take about 5 minutes.After it is done you will wonder why you worried about it.Good luck.
I played Cecil and didn't comprehend what I'd read. That is a SMALL spot and could be easily sewn up instead of working with the flock. In fact, one that small, I'd probably think was a "war wound" anyway.