Kodiak Brownie Success

[.338 mag.]

That sounds like a good hunt for you. What a good looking bear that is. Do you mind sharing what caliber and bullet you were using?

[CGSwimmer25]

Remington 300WSM. Federal Vitalshok ammo/Nosler Partition.

[dieNqvrs]

Congrats nice bear!

Ken Hansen with bones and bugs taxidermy on the island does a great job at Bear skulls and is very reasonable compared to others if interested. I used him for all my skulls last fall including my bear and was pleased with them all. Can post or pm a pic if interested.

I sent my hide off island to a guy in Wasilla will provide info if you want. did a great job in my opinion and had it back by June after killing it on Halloween and fleshing it out my self. I know of friends still waiting for bear rugs for 3-4 years from guy in town. Will post pics if interested as well.

I also built a fleshing stand you can borrow if you are going to flesh yourself.
There is also another local guide that will flesh for a reasonable price also if interested.

Once again nice job.

[terra]

Man some folk's have all the luck, a great bear and getting to hunt in such a beautiful place like Alaska! Good job.

[Fishhuntster]

Nice Bear! Love the story... Congratulations!

[CGSwimmer25]

dieNqvrs,

Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it. I am sending the hide to Dennis Dumont of Dumont Taxidermy in Montana. He said he would take care of the skull for me for free while he is waiting for the hide to come back from the tannery, real nice guy. The guy in town here is a good guy also, but I just dont like that the hide would be sitting in his shop for 2-3 years waiting for him to get caught up. Please post some pics of your rug and skull if you dont mind, I would like to see them. Thanks

[akrstabout]

Congrats man on a nice boar.

Why send out of state to get done into a rug? People in AK that keep them in house, like the guy I use and his turn around time is very short, sometimes a few months, never leaves his shop! Plus the price is hard to beat! $700 for my 7' brownie. Member Blink's wife does them also. I personally wouldn't trust sending out of state, who then aslo sends it out of his state. I have heard to many horror stories of the big tanneries shredding hides. Our guy has never let us down, plus his prices are hard to beat and never found a cheaper place. Actually the guy picked up my buddies bears in late sept. after moose season. He will have them done, neck mount and rug, in december of this year!

[CGSwimmer25]

The guy I am sending it to has a great reputation with the Coast Guard guys here in Kodiak. A guy I work with is an assistant guide here and he personally knows the taxidermist and uses him for his own bears and highly recommends him. After speaking to him on the phone he seems like a real nice guy and guarantees a one year turn around. He said not to worry about fleshing it, taking the feet out, or do any details on the face as he prefers to do it himself and does it for free. He is also taking care of the skull for me for free also. I didnt seek any advice when I took my Sitka Blacktail buck to a local taxidermist and it wont be done for another two years. I am sure there are several really good taxidermists here in Alaska, but I decided to take the advice of guys I really trust and can see the final result on their wall. Sorry for the long winded answer!!

[littleman81]

Originally Posted by CGSwimmer25

The guy I am sending it to has a great reputation with the Coast Guard guys here in Kodiak. A guy I work with is an assistant guide here and he personally knows the taxidermist and uses him for his own bears and highly recommends him. After speaking to him on the phone he seems like a real nice guy and guarantees a one year turn around. He said not to worry about fleshing it, taking the feet out, or do any details on the face as he prefers to do it himself and does it for free. He is also taking care of the skull for me for free also. I didnt seek any advice when I took my Sitka Blacktail buck to a local taxidermist and it wont be done for another two years. I am sure there are several really good taxidermists here in Alaska, but I decided to take the advice of guys I really trust and can see the final result on their wall. Sorry for the long winded answer!!

Congratulations on your successful hunt! I was also very interested in the calibur...I have a Winchester model 70 .300WSM that I hope to get a nice bear with someday.

I understand your reasoning for using the taxi you did. I know there are a lot of recommendations on here, and I would also support using an in-state taxi, but like others have said, you have to send it to one you trust. Obviously the one you have selected is one you trust due to your co-workers' recommendations.

Once again, congratulations on a first class hunt and first class bear!

[tboehm]

Congrats on a successful hunt! It doesn't get much more rewarding than that. I can't believe that they are telling you that it would be a 2 year wait for your deer. I guess that there is way to much work for them. I'm praying that my son get stationed there so I get a chance to hunt those big guys.

[wantj43]

Originally Posted by CGSwimmer25

The guy I am sending it to has a great reputation with the Coast Guard guys here in Kodiak. A guy I work with is an assistant guide here and he personally knows the taxidermist and uses him for his own bears and highly recommends him. After speaking to him on the phone he seems like a real nice guy and guarantees a one year turn around. He said not to worry about fleshing it, taking the feet out, or do any details on the face as he prefers to do it himself and does it for free. He is also taking care of the skull for me for free also. I didnt seek any advice when I took my Sitka Blacktail buck to a local taxidermist and it wont be done for another two years. I am sure there are several really good taxidermists here in Alaska, but I decided to take the advice of guys I really trust and can see the final result on their wall. Sorry for the long winded answer!!

I would seriously consider making certain the hide was taken care of, fleshed and cured, toes turned, ear and lips done BEFORE shipping. Hopefully, the assistant guide can help you.
Joe (Ak)

[Roland on the River]

I second what Joe want said. You NEED to have it fleshed and salted with the ears, lips nose and paws done.Before shipping out of state. Otherwise you risk having the hair slip and getting back a "Halloween " face. Don't wait, get it done today or sooner.

[Bighorse]

Thats kinda the point I was trying to make. Unless you've got a taxidermist down the street willing to grab that hide quickly then you will ensure a great mount vs. a good mount by getting the facial work completed ASAP. Setting those small hairs of the face is crucial. For me once I kill a bear I'm heavy with a large responsibility until I've got that hide processed well enough to ensure a good mount after it leaves my possession with minimal care.

I'm sure were not saying this to belittle CSswimmer because infact he's asked for help and is getting getting that hide to a professional ASAP. It's just a fact that aspiring bear hunters should understand. Shooting a bear requires ALOT of work, down and dirty work and I think were just trying to be helpful by emphasizing this point. Kinda like moose hunters and how they feel about those field chores.

So back to the thread.....Great bear! Great hunt!

[CGSwimmer25]

This is why I like being a member on this forum, people always willing to help and share tips and what not. Thanks again folks.

Steve

[sculpin]

Nice job man! That's a good bear. Try a serrated victorinox knife sometime if you haven't already for skinning those suckers-----works great! Congrats again.