as I've been reading in the forums I'm convinced I should send this Bear to the tannery, my question is....I see on my latest video and from the forums that a beam and knife are used for the rough fleshing, is this something that can be done on fleshing machine? I have the Dakota iv for my deer which works fine, I was just wondering why the beam and knife are used here?
2nd question : as I'm just a newbee trying to learn here are you required to be licensed to send your hide to the tannery? Do i need a fur harvesters licence or anything? I'm in Michigan
Really trying to get this Bear project to work ....just to gain the experience, Its the only way to learn right, The "customer" is giving me this opportunity knowing full well its my first bear and obviously trusts me and knows me well enough to know I'll do the best I can...so i really want to do this one right. I use this site when i really need help...its a great resource and I appreciate all the help I've gotten from you all.......Thanks alot
Kevin in Michigan
Thanks
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Bears are extremely greasy. Send it off. Check with your local DNR office about licensing. Some states are funny about bears, and I don't mean HaHa funny. If you don't have your Taxidermy license, get it. And if you don't belong to your state taxidermy association, join today. I am somewhat new, and joining was worth 10x what I paid. The taxidermist that wouldn't talk to me before I joined, now invite me to come and hang out. Good luck with the bear.
Beaming is just flat out faster! I can beam a raccoon in less than 2min. If you try to go fast with a fleshing machine you will be disapointed. Yes... Check with your local DNR about the permits needed. Joe
I have a Lexan splash guard built to go in front of my machine table and I can flesh a bear a helluva lot faster than I ever could on a beam with a whole lot less effort. I'm not sold on that Dakota, however, as you'd better hammer those guards close together. It's likely to cut through a thin bear hide if you don't.
keven, in michigan you have to be a licensed taxidermist to posesses any game animal governed by the state. there are very specific rules as to weather you can do work with taneries without those permits. i do know that a bear has a seal that can not be removed by anyone but a licensed taxidermist. in some cases a fur harvesters licens is required too. i remember all this from thr rules i was sent when i got my license. but to be sure im correct you can call the mi dnr at 517-373-1204 to find out the rules for your inivdual case. they are more than willing to help you there. goood luck on that mount.
bob
Kevin,
As mentioned above you need a taxidermy license to engage in the "business" of taxidermy. In other words if your accepting money to do the work you need a state license($50 for three years). If you engage in working on migratory waterfowl, you need a federal license as well.
As long as you ship your hides to a tannery in Michigan, you do not need any permits. If you ship outside the state of Michigan you need to get a form from the DNR that is basically an inventory shipping list. They are free and they have them at your local field office(or they should).
If you buy or sell fur bearing animals, you need a fur buyers license ($10 per year), but you don't need one to "work" on furs.
A fur harvesters license allows you to "harvest" fur bearing animals and has nothing to do with taxidermy.
I use The Wildlife Gallery in Michigan for almost all of my tanning with great results.
Sometimes you may get different answers from different folks at the DNR if you call them. I made a point of stopping down there and spending time talking to as many people as I could. That way I got face to face information as opposed to "heresay" by a temporary secretary.
Hugh
www.initaxidermy.com
George is absolutely right. Fleshing a bear by someone with his years of experience with a machine is simple and fast. However if you have never done a bear I can all but guarentee that you will cut it to pieces. The fat of a bear is soft, and easy to remove. I do the majority of the fleshing on a beam with a Catskiner by Frost Cutlery. it take less than 45 minuets. Then I flesh the face and head on the Dakota wheel.