Bear Rug Cost/Taxidermist

HookMeUpII

HookMeUpII

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In prep for my first bear hunt, I am trying to get an idea of who the go-to resources for bear rugs are and the general cost.

I may or may not be successful, but I'd rather be prepared if I am, and not be sitting with a hide in the freezer for weeks trying to figure it out.

- Who did your rug?
- Can you share some photos?
- Anything to look out for?
- How much did it cost?

I am seeing between $300-$400 a linear foot.
 
In my opinion, John Hayes Taxidermy Libby MT does the best bear rugs. They have done 3 for me. Don't have decent pictures of them right now. John has a few good videos on Meateater about bear taxidermy. Just a different level of bear rug. I think that price is about right. Think the last one was about 1800.00 , but costs have gone up. I don't do them anymore as I don not have room. (unless I get a big chocolate) Hayes does 50 to 60 bears a year so they know what they are doing. Another good option would Mike Ballard- Rugged Edge Taxidermy in Bigfork MT.

Custom Taxidermy Mounts | Hayes Taxidermy Studio

Hayes Taxidermy Studio is located in Libby, Montana and offers custom mounts from rugs to full wildlife displays. With over 20 years of experience, each mount designed by our team is a work of art. For those who don't hunt we also offer retail trophy mounts. All work is guaranteed.
www.hayestaxidermy.com www.hayestaxidermy.com
ruggededgetaxidermy.com
 
HAVE NOT PERSONALLY USED THEM BUT BID ON A COUPLE ONLINE AUCTIONS (DIDNT WIN) CAUSE THEY LOOKED REAL NICE FROM RUGSBYNANCY.COM
 
Here's an insider taxidermy "secret". Most taxidermy shops send rugs out to wholesalers who specialize in rugs. They don't get done in shop so to speak.

The wholesale ruggers are good at stretching hides, adding borders and backing, BUT most are bad at taxidermy, thus the head part can look rough.
A good taxidermy shop will taxidermy the head first, then send to a rugger (y).

Just ask a few question about who is doing what part ;)
 
buck wild said:
Here's an insider taxidermy "secret". Most taxidermy shops send rugs out to wholesalers who specialize in rugs. They don't get done in shop so to speak.

The wholesale ruggers are good at stretching hides, adding borders and backing, BUT most are bad at taxidermy, thus the head part can look rough.
A good taxidermy shop will taxidermy the head first, then send to a rugger (y).

Just ask a few question about who is doing what part ;)
Click to expand...

My go-to guy basically told me this. He's a nice guy but said he just doesn't do them. It's incredibly time consuming to flesh them out, then send them for tanning, then getting them back and doing the head. I do have a guy local, who does museum quality work. In fact, he's done work for the NY Museum of Natural History. However, he's also $2000 base and it goes up for bears over 5 ft.

Going to be interesting to see who I can find. Of course, I have to be successful first.
 
SETH RINGER said:
HAVE NOT PERSONALLY USED THEM BUT BID ON A COUPLE ONLINE AUCTIONS (DIDNT WIN) CAUSE THEY LOOKED REAL NICE FROM RUGSBYNANCY.COM
Click to expand...

I just looked and her prices seem to be the most competitive. Might have to call her.
 
Reflections of the Wild did mine 3 years ago but he was just doing me a favor. He has been doing mostly African animals for the past few years. I paid 350 a foot.

For rugs it is a pretty straightforward thing, mouth open or mouth closed, color of felt to outline your bears hide, you probably don't need to know a lot more about it until you speak to whoever will be doing yours, because you will be getting a bear!!
 
When a customer request a bear rug i charge for the prep, flesh, salting and appropriate shipping, the tannery handles the final product . It varies by size, repairs, requests, etc
 
Have @gizmo give you a quote. Top of Texas Taxidermy
 
HookMeUpII said:
My go-to guy basically told me this. He's a nice guy but said he just doesn't do them. It's incredibly time consuming to flesh them out, then send them for tanning, then getting them back and doing the head. I do have a guy local, who does museum quality work. In fact, he's done work for the NY Museum of Natural History. However, he's also $2000 base and it goes up for bears over 5 ft.

Going to be interesting to see who I can find. Of course, I have to be successful first.
Click to expand...

If you have a local guy that does "museum quality" work, go with him. Although, I have seen some shitty taxidermy at museums. But, I'm assuming if you are saying that you have seen his work and it is very good. If his quality is that good, and he is local, and his starting price is $2k, go with him. He's basically on par for price with an average taxidermist and his quality sounds much higher than average.
 
Sabre said:
If you have a local guy that does "museum quality" work, go with him. Although, I have seen some shitty taxidermy at museums. But, I'm assuming if you are saying that you have seen his work and it is very good. If his quality is that good, and he is local, and his starting price is $2k, go with him. He's basically on par for price with an average taxidermist and his quality sounds much higher than average.
Click to expand...

Let's put it this way, if I had known he was there (5 min from my office), I'd have done dip and pack from RSA in 2023 instead of letting the outfitter do it. Wish I knew.

For the extra $500-$600 it is probably worth his level of quality and detail.
 
Rugs by Nancy. Easy to find online. Just ship them the frozen hide, they do an amazing job and receive bear skins from all over North America.
 
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