Is this the same bear?

[Betterinthebush]

Same bear, different day.

 

[fourfive8]

IMO, same bear. But makes no difference what anyone thinks. If same bear, taxidermist screwed up. If different bear, taxidermist screwed up.

 

[HankBuck]

Unfortunately, this is typical for bear taxidermy unless you really stay on top of the taxidermist. The taxidermist put too small of a head in your rug. It’s easier to go smaller than bigger. Bigger is more work.

@Scott @Green Chile - that is some BAD taxidermy and Scott CWO got it right “too small a form used by taxidermist” and that resulted in your Very nice large skulled bear —-looking like a 2 yr old 100 pound sow ! Also, good taxidermist will add “clay” to build up the skull and form that “muscle crease” that runs down the center of the skull on large boars. Until I saw your photos I thought that I was the only person this happened to: arrowed a nice 276 lb male Black bear in NY that had a nice large skull with clearly defined “crease” running down center of skull and a look of ‘small ears’ laying on side of head. I made the mistake of using a different Taxidermist then I usually do to “save a few $100s”. When I got the 1/2 life size mount back - I thought it was someone else’s bear but the distinctive White chevon on the chest was proof it was mine. Now, my “trophy” looks like any average 125lb bear with “small narrow head”. If - IF I ever get another bear mounted I will discuss the head in detail and make my expectations clear, also look at photos of his work…its worth paying extra to get Quality

 

[Green Chile]

The reason for posting is to show how bad the results can be even if you take care and deliver a quality trophy to them in good shape. The results were so different than expected that it actually looks like it could be a different bear. My first response...gut level honest...was that someone shot a sow the same color as my boar. The ears, nose and eyes are vastly different in the 2 photos. I think maybe a sow sized form was used. When I dropped it off and showed photos, the comments were that's a big bear...bigger than we normally see. Unfortunately it went from being a bear I was proud of to a bear that I don't want in my house. It looks like a bear that should have been passed on. Sad outcome on a beautiful mature color phase boar. Thankfully I have photos and memories of what it really was.

 

[buck wild]

I think 99% it is your skin. And yeah, the taxidermy is subpar, resulting in ALL the things others are saying why it's NOT your bear. I don't mean this to be (too) disparaging, but are hunters really that ignorant (in the purest sense of the word) about taxidermy and how the ears, eyes, skull width, nose etc can be altered in the taxidermy stage to use those items as reasons it can't be the same bear??

BTW, I saw a monster tomcat the other day

 

[PARA45]

Have you asked the taxidermist to fix it?

 

[Green Chile]

Fair question...his response to my concerns is to say, "Remember, the form we use is smaller than the bear's original shape." He doesn't think anything is wrong with it. I've asked twice for more photos and gotten no response.

Here are more photos from the day it was taken...

 

[Green Chile]

BTW, I saw a monster tomcat the other day

One of these days...

 

[Hunt anything]

Have you used this taxidermist before?

 

[buck wild]

Fair question...his response to my concerns is to say, "Remember, the form we use is smaller than the bear's original shape."

Response to his response: "Why? Why would the form be smaller than the original bear's skull and muscle structure?" In theory, a properly tanned hide should even have up to 10% stretch, allowing for a slightly bigger head mold to be used.

 

[JimP]

For the taxidermist not ordering a form to fit the hide and slipping in a smaller one is just not right.

I like the idea of checking the bullet hole to see if it matches up with where you actually shot him.

 

[Hunt anything]

I would’ve had to ask why would you intentionally use a smaller form? My old taxidermist used to get the next size up and modify as needed.

 

[Green Chile]

Have you used this taxidermist before?

I have not but it was recommended to me by a taxidermist I know and have used. I went this direction as the tannery was next door and quoted me a shorter timeframe. My last 2 bears were very slow from the tannery. Turns out that was off too as here we are 18 months after delivery to them. Originally it was just going to be a tanned hide and euro skull. Before the tannery was finished, I adjusted the order to a felted rug with shell head, which was going to be done by the same person doing the euro skull.

I think that bears and cats require a lot more skill and care. Thankfully my full size mountain lion turned out much better as I went with a cat pro.

 

[DieJager]

This thread is very helpful for future reference. If and when I'll hunt a bear I'll definitely going to have a good conversation upfront with the taxidermist.

On topic I also think it is your bear. Also different angles and lightning is not helping but like other sad it made too small.

 

[Hunt anything]

Response to his response: "Why? Why would the form be smaller than the original bear's skull and muscle structure?" In theory, a properly tanned hide should even have up to 10% stretch, allowing for a slightly bigger head mold to be used.

Sorry to high jack but. I’ve noticed that some of my African mounts have come back with really skinny necks, when shot I noticed the bulk of the necks but the mounts have pencile necks, seems to be on smaller antelope a couple of bushbuck and springbok. Some done in the states and some in Africa.

 

[Green Chile]

Response to his response: "Why? Why would the form be smaller than the original bear's skull and muscle structure?" In theory, a properly tanned hide should even have up to 10% stretch, allowing for a slightly bigger head mold to be used.

Exactly. I didn't know I was working with that kind of mentality. Why would you use a form smaller than the animal? That's why forms come in different sizes or need to be manually adjusted. When visiting taxidermy shops, I love to see raw forms being shaved, shaped or built up. That tells me a LOT about the quality of work and detail orientation of the shop.

 

[Argali]

Look the pictures

 

[Altitude sickness]

If he isn’t willing to fix it.

Pay to have someone else stretch the hide out so it can be put on a larger form. Putting the ears on the side. Longer and wider snout. Wider zygomatic arch.

 

[RLD]

I think it is the same bear I am afraid.

 

[Foxi]

This thread is very helpful for future reference. If and when I'll hunt a bear I'll definitely going to have a good conversation upfront with the taxidermist.

On topic I also think it is your bear. Also different angles and lightning is not helping but like other sad it made too small.

Measure the skull, both whole and boiled.
Also measure the length and width of the hide. Give this data to the taxidermist.
The tanned bear skin is often much smaller than the original, depending on how high the fat content is.
Stretching it does not help, as it will only make it narrower.

An acquaintance received an average trophy from the taxidermist instead of his nearly Boone and Crocket Dall sheep...
This year, a friend received his Alaska grizzly bear skin back so badly eaten by maggots that it had to be thrown away.
Others promise deadlines they don't meet, and the CITES permit expires in the meantime.
There are quite a few trophy-addicted hunters who try to secretly buy good trophies from the taxidermist for hard cash.
In over 45 years of hunting abroad, I have also experienced a lot.
One should really keep a blacklist of unreliable taxidermists.

This thread is also a lesson for me.
But I belive its the same bear,but they could have made more of an effort with the skull.