Black Bear Hunt

I don't know that you will get a rug done for $1k. I was quoted about $1500 for mine, and wasn't as big as yours. Tanning it alone was over $500. Granted, I will never go back to that taxidermist again. He cUT the inspection tag off immediately, and I still don't think I got my bear back. I got DOW involved because they said it was highly irregular for a taider mist to do that. My father's bear still jas the inspection tag on it, even after being tagged. The taxidermist was in Canon city. My father's was done in Pueblo West, and his came out amazing.

Took him to the PWD this morning where they pulled a tooth. Said I can get the age info from the tooth analysis in the Spring. \
Then off to the taxidermist. I stood around while they skinned out his skull and took rough measurements with calipers - Length 12 7/8, Width 8 1/8
This puts him right on the line for B&C all-time record book - must have minimum 21" total.

I'll have to get the skull flesh off and wait the 60 day drying period before having him officially scored. He'll no doubt make the minimum 20" record book, but I'd of course like him to make the all-time.

From what I've read, boiling will potentially cause more shrinkage than beetles, and the taxidermist I took him to does not have beetles.

Does anyone know of a place that uses dermestid beetles?

https://classicantlermounts.com/skull-cleaning/

Googled: beetle cleaned skulls denver

There is a video that's interesting, it shows his process on a bear skull.

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Originally Posted by encorehunter

I don't know that you will get a rug done for $1k. I was quoted about $1500 for mine, and wasn't as big as yours. Tanning it alone was over $500. Granted, I will never go back to that taxidermist again. He cUT the inspection tag off immediately, and I still don't think I got my bear back. I got DOW involved because they said it was highly irregular for a taider mist to do that. My father's bear still jas the inspection tag on it, even after being tagged. The taxidermist was in Canon city. My father's was done in Pueblo West, and his came out amazing.

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Which place in Canon cut off your tag?

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Originally Posted by ChickNorris

https://classicantlermounts.com/skull-cleaning/

Googled: beetle cleaned skulls denver

There is a video that's interesting, it shows his process on a bear skull.

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Yep, I found the same, and have contacted them.
That is where I plan to take it unless something closer pops up.
Thanks!

Wow! Amazing bear. Congrats!

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Originally Posted by davsel

No drama on this "hunt." I spotted him on my way home from work on the road that cuts through my property. I ran in and grabbed my rifle and headed down the hill in the direction he was headed. I spotted him at 85 yards and shot him once through the heart with a 150 grain Winchester Power Point .308. He took off for 15 feet, dove into my pond and that was it. I went back to the house to change out of my work clothes and then drove down and fished him out with the winch.

Attachment 76059

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I went back this afternoon to pick up the skull from the taxidermist and he gave me the bullet he found "embedded in the hide" while fleshing it out. I was surprised because the bullet wound I found was through and through without even touching a rib. He asked me a couple of times if it looked like mine and that it was near one of the holes. I figured it had to be mine, but when I got it home and weighed it, it came out to 324+ grains. I shot him with a 150 grain .308. I believe he's been carrying that around for a while since there were no visible signs inside or out of him being shot before. Maybe an off-angle shot that went through some meat and then traveled along under the hide to its resting place. Strange

He also said it measured over 8 feet paw to paw after fleshing it out.

Attachment 76069Attachment 76070

My apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread - just excited about this bear of a lifetime.


ETA: Appears to possibly be a .50 cal muzzle-loading bullet - solid lead - concave base

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Originally Posted by davsel

Yep, I found the same, and have contacted them.
That is where I plan to take it unless something closer pops up.
Thanks!

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30ish more days. Im looking forward to an update.

It does look like a .50cal bullet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by davsel

Yep, I found the same, and have contacted them.
That is where I plan to take it unless something closer pops up.
Thanks!

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Hey there! Was wondering about your bear. : )