I have been pulling this bear out of the pickle and thinning for an hour then back into the pickle about every 24 hours. I cant seem to get this bear thinned to my liking. The fleshing knife doesnt want to push any thing off. I am thinking that maybe I have enough off then? Deer are usually simple to flesh, but this bear just doenst want to work with me. LOL I read the orange button and found a thread that stated a half inch or less above the hair folicle is ok. Is this correct or should it be right down until I see those folicles without cutting them off? If I get a yes I amputting it in the tan. Thanks
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If you are down to the hair follicles you are good with the method you are using. You don't want to cut the hair roots. The skin on the neck is probably the thickest and needs the most work, but you won't get it shaved with a draw knife. A circular fleshing knife is the only real way to get it done or send them to a tannery like most do.
That washing machine works real good for spinning out the water...just don't tell the wife if you use it.
If you are down to the hair follicles you are good with the method you are using. You don't want to cut the hair roots. The skin on the neck is probably the thickest and needs the most work, but you won't get it shaved with a draw knife. A circular fleshing knife is the only real way to get it done or send them to a tannery like most do.
That washing machine works real good for spinning out the water...just don't tell the wife if you use it.
Man, you have me confused. Mind you I am by no means a bear expert. But I have watched many of them prepped and tanned this fall, and winter. Seems the guys here flesh them until the pours, can be seen. Kind of look like pock marks on the back side of the hide. then they salt, resalt, Then put them into the pickle. I have never seen them shave the hides after they plump. As they do with deer hides. they simply neutralize and tan the bear hides. Those to be mounted are frozen. And those to be rugged are oiled, and scrubbed. The fleshing and thinning of bear looks pretty easy to me. But then again these guys make everything look easy. And I have found some of it quite difficult.