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Repairing A Bear Skin Rug

Discussion in 'Lifesize Mammals' started by RevPDP, May 7, 2020.

  1. May 7, 2020 #1
    RevPDP

    RevPDP New Member

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    Hello. I just found this forum and thought I'd find some solution to my issue. I was recently given a old bear skin rug. It is a big cinnamon phase black bear, but time has eaten away part of the hide, the paws, and edges. The mane looks great, as does the head. From what I've gathered, I do not believe it cannot be restored to it's original condition, so I was wondering what my options might be with what remains. Is there any way to highlight the head and mane? Any way to display the claws which have all fallen off? Right now I'm looking for creative, out-of-the-box ideas that would enable me to display this great animal. IMG_0456.jpg IMG_0456.jpg IMG_0457.jpg IMG_0456.jpg IMG_0457.jpg IMG_0458.jpg IMG_0459.jpg
     
  3. May 10, 2020 #2
    Tanglewood Taxidermy

    Tanglewood Taxidermy Well-Known Member

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    11,890
    dallas oregon
    You could start from the shoulders and basically remove the legs by cutting them off and trimming the body part into an oval and re-rug it with border that was on the legs.

    From above it would look like an oval of back hide the length of the body with a head. If that makes sense.
     

  5. May 10, 2020 #3
    WLELTD

    WLELTD Active Member

    759
    134
    Do what Tanglewood said but make a big beaver hoop and let the head hang out, no felt and trim with a few turkey wing feathers or those fake eagle feathers, good luck might want to check the rest of that leather and back it with something
     
  6. Jun 11, 2020 #4
    RevPDP

    RevPDP New Member

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    Ok. Thanks.
    I've taken it to a local taxidermist and as we suspected it will be very hard to repair as the whole cape is dried out. The edges are cracking and separating from the backing. So here is my question, and I do not know if it'll be cost effective. Can I get a regular black bear cape, dye it to match the color, and piece together the sections that have deteriorated? How can I preserve the existing rug?
     
  7. Jun 11, 2020 #5
    Sea Wolf

    Sea Wolf Well-Known Member

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    With it cracked and breaking that badly, the more you touch it, the worse it is going to get. It is ruined. At best, get some heavy canvas and cut it to the shape of the hide Or maybe use the cloth backing that is there if it isn't rotted. Maybe get a decent hide glue and glue the pieces down, fitting the torn edges back together as best as you can. Keep it flat and don't try to hang it and avoid moving it around. Your best bet is to save the head and back section as above. Cut off the legs and throw then away. Save the claws and use them as part of the decoration along with feathers and such. If you are going to go to the expense of buying another hide and trying to dye it, just buy a cinnamon phase hide that is good quality and make it into a rug that looks the same. I would not cut up a good hide to try and make repairs on the one that is all dry rot.
     
  8. Jun 12, 2020 #6
    grumpa

    grumpa Well-Known Member

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    Cut your losses and buy a fresh quality rug from a reputable full time taxidermist.