First time bear hunter. What to do with the hide?
 

I am think this will be the year I try my hand a baiting bear. I’m more interested in the meat and not really interested in the hide but I know it’s my obligation to salvage the hide. I’m wounding what you guys do with you in wanted hides? I’ve heard once it’s tanned I can sell it. If that’s true where do I get it tanned?

You can sell the hide to a taxidermist.
I don't eat spring bear that have been eating rotten baits.
Its better to go kill one by spot and stalk on a nice green pipeline if you are looking for meat.

Granted there are a lot of variables, what does a hide sell for (Looking for a ball park figure)? Tanned vs untanned?

Color bears tend to go for a bit more. If you just drop the hide off without being fleshed and dried, you wont get much. If a bear has all lips eyes paws, nose, ears turned and dried, they are worth anywhere from $150-$500. Most black phase bears that I have sent to the auction are around the $150 mark
Maybe see if a guy will clean the skull in exchange for the hide, or something like that...

Bears taste like what they eat. Bait accordingly.

Just read an article on the website about trapping wolves.
One of the biggest issue/cost is bait material.
I am not sure if there are any trappers that could use the hide for bait.

If you're looking for a bear to eat, I prefer the fall bears, nice and fat from eating berries and grain

Tanning a hide is expensive and the market for tanned hides is not usually strong enough to get your money back. Easiest is to sell the raw hide to a taxidermist, trapper with a buyers license or someone like Halford hide. You meet the obligation to not waste the hide, even if you don't get much for it.

Personally I prefer spring Bear, far less fat on them. As long as you get them not too long out of the den they are great eating. If you are going to bait to eat, use oats, corn, popcorn, doughnuts etc so the meat still tastes good.

Hmmm???:thinking-006: Wonder if a smoked onion and garlic bait would produce pre-seasoned bear meat? :)

Bear
 

I traded the hide to a taxidermist in return he did the skull for me. I thought a pretty fa ir trade since I have no interest in a hide.

When I shot mine, I discovered noone wanted the hide.
(Unless it was huge, cinnamon, or blonde)

Did you have to pre-arrange this deal?

everyone recommends halfords but they dont take a raw hide ever.. haven't for a long time.

That is good to know. It has been many years since I took them in to them, never realized they quit doing it. Do they still tan hides?