Bear tag, after the shot?

[Addicting]

With all the wonderful help I got in the Angry Spouse thread, I thought I would start another about this bear tag.


I gifted my 12 year old son my Red Oak bear tag. I’ve been applying before he was born and finally drew. It is the hardest to draw and arguably the best tag here in MI.

I’ve hired a hounds man to run bears for 3 days next month. I fully anticipate a shot opportunity.

What to do after the shot is what I’m working on now. I haven’t shot a bear in 20 years. That is by choice, it was not really my thing because the meat was gross. It lived near a dump and tasted like a dump. The processor I used ground all the bear fat into the burger and it was disgusting.

I do all my own processing now to include salami and snack sticks.

What processing tips and taxidermy tips do you have to share?

 

[ccc23454]

fall bear in area with agriculture or acorns/chestnuts mass crops can be exceptional meat, swampy or dark timber bears is a dice roll (100% my opinion). i have had some bears taste exactly like they smell so you may be able to form idea as your working hide, when in doubt heavy seasoned snack stix. All i do as far as taxi goes is think how hide will lay as a displayed rug: just split hide on belly and all legs up rear centerline to base of paw joint. split neck up to few inches behind rear of jaw then roll is complete forward working slow till i get to base of skull knuckle and separate it just like any euro. roll it up meat on meat/ hair on hair drop in game bag with all 4 paws and skull still in. later in camp i take real sweet time on a large stable table (picnic tables are perfect) and remove paws and skull depending if your doing rug or just hard tanning (my usual) split lips and do ears also. then go check him so they can easily remove tooth and tag hide. (Disclaimer:check local check requirements...lol) taxi will handle rest. i will add bears are the one animal i use a disposable blade knife on in field, keep cuts clean and change blades as soon as they start to dull. good luck look forward to pics of you guys!

added: you got me thinking i should go bear hunting, season is open!

 

[El Jason]

Birria. Red chili. Stroganoff. Smoked and pulled for sandwiches. Irish Stew.

I love bear meat.

 

[mtmuley]

My son in law made breakfast sausage and burger meat with his. I think he has some left to do the birria taco style. mtmuley