New Hunter needs help!

[Roach]

Hey all,

I'm a 29 y/o former Marine and 6'2 sized pack mule with no experience hunting anything more than white and blacktail deer in VA.

I've been up here two years and want to get a black bear this spring. I want to learn from someone experienced how to field dress a bear.

Any help?

[ANCguy]

Skinning help

Roach-

The Sportsman's Show is next weekend- check out the free seminars there for info on field dressing and meat care- great info, and that's how I first learned. Good luck!.

-Tom-

[jakec5253]

taxidermist

I think a taxidermist would be the best place to learn how to skin a bear, depending on what kind of mount you want to do. I did the bear baiting class a few years ago, and the guy at Knight's Taxidermy did a great slideshow presentation on how to skin a bear. I think you can view the slideshow at his shop. I think that it was the best way to learn what they need you to do in order for your mount to turn out perfect.

Jake

[pike_palace]

Hey all,

I'm a 29 y/o former Marine and 6'2 sized pack mule with no experience hunting anything more than white and blacktail deer in VA.

I've been up here two years and want to get a black bear this spring. I want to learn from someone experienced how to field dress a bear.

Any help?

Well you have to shoot a bear before you can skin one. Mornings and evening, glass the edges of logged out areas, be quiet, look for the berry patches and just be patient. Or if you have time hunt off a bait station.

[AlaskaTrueAdventure]

bear skinning

I believe that you should know how to skinn-out a bear prior to shootin one. So check in with your preferred taxidermist. And do check out Russ Knight at the Sportsmans Show. He used to do a skinning seminar...not sure if he still does it at the show. That first bear to be skinned can be a hugh task! Second bear will be a breeze!

And If you want a spring bear like you mentioned in your post....glass south facing slopes in May. The black bears will be eating the new, freshly growing grass as the snow-line recedes.

Dennis
AK TAGS

[strangerinastrangeland]

When your hunting them, you look for a shiny looking Black "ball", they really look round at a distance, especially if the are coming to/going away from you.
On the snow they are unmistakable, on the Tundra they dart from bushes to bush and along willow lined creek beds to eat below or "move/hunt" along ridges and hill tops......and they sort of just walk slow among the trees, checking things out.
When your gutting them, you can slice the stermun right up the middle.
Skin the feets first, then the body and do the head last. Keep you cuts next to the bone and pull the hide like your taking his shirt off. The ears , eyes and lips will be cut from the "Inside" but be carefull, and take your time.

When your skinning, its best with a very sharp knife and theres gonna be a lot of fat on the hide when your done, but try to keep as much as you can on the Meat.....Its BETTER than Caribou, unless they have been eating Salmon, but Spring , its the Best.

[Roach]

Well you have to shoot a bear before you can skin one. Mornings and evening, glass the edges of logged out areas, be quiet, look for the berry patches and just be patient. Or if you have time hunt off a bait station.

Aha, I may have not been clear but someone got my intention! I don't know all the areas around here well, and only have vehicle and foot access to places, so I know I'm limited.

I do want to know how to clean the bear, as well as pack it up. I don't particularly care if I salvage the hide, I want meat!

So, with that said. If you are willing to take someone with you on a hunt anytime soon, I am happy to go with you, help in being your pack mule, and learn how to clean the bear.

[USMC RET]

Semper Fi

Semper Fi Marine,
I wholeheartedly agree, check out Russ Knights skinning class at the Sportsmans show in Anchorage next weekend. Great class. Runs 2 hours but well worth your time. Russ sells a small laminated flip chart that you can put in your pocket that is pics of the skinning process. I take it with me no matter where I hunt, its a great reference.

Good Luck
Brian
CWO3 USMC Ret....

[Vince]

Hey all,

I'm a 29 y/o former Marine and 6'2 sized pack mule with no experience hunting anything more than white and blacktail deer in VA.

I've been up here two years and want to get a black bear this spring. I want to learn from someone experienced how to field dress a bear.

Any help?

just like skinning a deer... except the legs are shorter. espessaly if you not after the hide..

the hide will still need to be sealed at adfg.. then you can toss it.

[Gary]

check the regs

even though you may not be interested in keeping the hide/skull, I believe it must be salvaged. what you do with it after you bring home is up to you.
where did you find blacktail deer in VA?? Blacktails are a west coast species.
Gary

[Montana Native]

Bear skin...

Here's some helpful info:

http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index...rhunt.skinning

Good luck!

[doug1980]

Well I am new here as well and have the same issue you do with access and knowledge. I would be happy to hunt with you, but I know as much as you do so that may not really help either of us. If you need a hunting partner though I'm game. That is if you don't mind hunting with a "flyboy"

[Roach]

even though you may not be interested in keeping the hide/skull, I believe it must be salvaged. what you do with it after you bring home is up to you.
where did you find blacktail deer in VA?? Blacktails are a west coast species.
Gary

Sorry, I never complete my thoughts in a straight line when I'm on message boards. I hit the white tail up in VA. I used to have a friend that lived in California and I hunted with him once about 10 years ago somewhere near Eureka.

[Roach]

Well I am new here as well and have the same issue you do with access and knowledge. I would be happy to hunt with you, but I know as much as you do so that may not really help either of us. If you need a hunting partner though I'm game. That is if you don't mind hunting with a "flyboy"

Well that's not a problem, we all know you guy's can't shoot so I know the bear will me mine. Hehe, sorry, can't help throwing one at you guys at least once daily!

[doug1980]

Well that's not a problem, we all know you guy's can't shoot so I know the bear will me mine. Hehe, sorry, can't help throwing one at you guys at least once daily!

Yeah, yeah I know. However I shoot expert so don't count on it. It's all good though, when you guys in trouble we save your butts. Just let me know if you wanna go hunt.