Bear Rug vs. Bear Pelt

According to the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, only one in about 25 black bear hunts is successful. Hunters who harvest a once-in-lifetime bear turn the bear pelt, also called a hide, into a trophy mount or bear rug (see Reference 1).

Bear Pelt

A bear pelt comes from any species of bear, and refers to a tanned or untanned hide or skin with the fur attached. Hunters tag and keep the bear pelt, and some tanneries will sell legal pelts to private buyers.

Bear Rug

Bear rugs are made from a tanned polar bear, black, brown or grizzly bear pelt. Taxidermists stretch the hide with the claws, re-create the head, and attach a felt backing (see Resource 1).

Proper Field Dressing

Do not delay skinning a bear hide in the field. Before skinning, decide if you will mount or tan the bear pelt, which requires keeping the pads under the paws (see Resource 2).

Tanning

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recommends consulting a tannery before a bear hunt for the proper handling of the bear hide before tanning (see Reference 1).

Warning

Avoid dragging the bear out of the woods, and never place a bear hide in plastic or the fur will "slip" off the hide. Never immerse a bear rug in water or pull on the fur (see Reference 1 and Resource 1).

References

• What You Need To Know Before Hunting Black Bear

Resources

• Taxidermists' Tips for Better Trophies
• Black Bear Field Care Guide