How long does it take you to flesh and skin a bear? Mine usually come with the paws and head intact. I've got it down to about 6 hours, but a large bear takes almost 8. I've only done about 20 in two years, and I'm very careful about not putting holes in them. The heads are still partially frozen when I start, so I do that last. (I use stop rot on the ears.) I just got 3 Canadian spring bears; one I was able to put in the freezer, but the other two were thawed to the point where I had to do them right away. I was up till 4 AM. Should I be less particular or just do it till they're done? Thanks for your help!
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It takes me 3-5 hours depending on the size and age of the bear.A young 150 lb.bear 3 hours.An old,tough,400+ lb.er,5 hrs.I skin all 4 feet in 30 minutes.I continually dip my hands in borax as I work,to give me grip.Slippery hands slow you down.It takes an hour or more to skin the head,split lips,turn ears etc.,depending on the size of the bear.I split lips,eyes etc. with single edge razor blades and I change them as soon as I notice any decrease in sharpness.Dull blades slow you down also.Some people spend too much time trying to make them perfectly clean.I get what meat I can off the head,lips etc.,fast.Once the head and paws are done,I throw it on the fleshing beam and flesh the body with a draw knife.There's no quicker way to do it.This part takes about 1 to 2 hours,never longer.I try not to put holes in them too,but if it costs me a few nicks to go fast,no problem.Skinning cuts sew quick and easily and you aren't in danger of the hide spoiling while you work on them.The point is to get all the fat off and most of the meat and get the salt to it in as short a time as is possible.The draw knife takes it off clean and fast.It's got the advantage of being a 2 handed tool and you put your arms,shoulders and back into it.It is work and I don't enjoy it.It took me 8 hours to do my first bear,using a knife, and I knew that I had to go faster than that.Keep working at it.If you are fleshing with a knife,learn to use a draw knife.Your conscientious and I admire that.Keep working to get that time down and it won't be quite so grueling and you'll be able to get your proper sleep.It's not bad to have an old refrigerator too,to throw those that you are not working on,till you can get to them.Good luck.Just keep working at it.And 20 bears is a fair number.
When you say that you use a draw knife, are you speaking about the draw knife used for debarking logs or like a Necker fleshing knife? And how sharp? I am working my way through the art of taxidermy and have not done a bear yet.
Thanks
Bill, More than one way to do this but if I were using a knife I would skin out the feet and head, remove the big chunky meat, salt HEAVILY. Move on to the next bear and do the same. Next day work it over a beam and the salt will stiffen the fat some and it will come off easier and faster. NOW the way I do it is skin out every thing- about 1 1/2 hour, and then pressure wash it- takes about 10 minutes and it is CLEAN! Enjoy, Aaron H.
The draw knives I use are straight edged and were made for wood working.That's just what I've gotten used too.Many use a curved blade one or a currier's knife,which is similar but usually costs more.My fleshing beam is made from an 8" diameter PVC pipe coming out of the floor at a 45 degree angle and is about belt high.The draw knife is pushed down the beam,rather than drawn,as it's used in woodworking.I have one that is kept sharp and one that has a dull edge.I use the dull edged one for everything that I can and the sharp one on the tougher stuff.The dull one works best on deer,bobcats,foxes,coyotes,coons,young bears etc.and really makes them clean as a plate.Most of the bears need the sharp edge.Having said all that,I have to confess I've never used the pressure washer but have been reading about it.It would be worth checking into if you have a place where you can make a little mess.Get the particulars before you start.It takes a certain nozzle and pressure to work.You will never find another technique that will flesh the body of a bear in 10 minutes.Even if it took 30 minutes,that's super effecient and would take a lot less muscle than the draw knife.
a big six footer with head and feet in and very fat. My helper is off today (Saturday) or I wouldn't of touched it. My back is in major old age decline. I just salted it. 1 and 1/2 hours start to finish. no holes. I used a beam and big knife for the body and a parring knife for the feet, ears, etc. I even had to answer the phone once while I was working on it. I charge 170.00 lin ft. for a black bear rug and I wholesale the rugging part. $3500.00 for lifesize.
My helper who knew nothing a year ago about taxidermy takes about 4-5 hours and does a great job and I am happy with his work and the time it takes him.