A friend of mine shot a 180# black bear this fall and would like me to flesh the hide before sending off to be tanned. The hide is currently folded and frozen. I have never done one before, any suggestions??

Thanks,
Dave

Flesh like a coon. I have done a couple on my beam, some parts are tougher, used a knife like on a beaver tail section.

I've done a few, just put it on your beam and flesh like a big coon. You'll use your sharp edge more and you'll be ready to quit after the first quarter of it is done.

Thanks for the reply guys. I'm getting more details on what my friend wants to do with the hide after fleshing before tackling it.

Thanks again,
Dave

He must be a GOOD friend! I have done 2 and that is enough.

If you get cold weather,like minus 25 c or colder,it can very easily be frost scraped with a one hand scraper.Stretch the hide out on a plywood(with a couple extensions nailed on for the legs.Let freeze overnight then go out in the morning and scrape it clean.

First one I did I was blown away by how easy it was compared to a beam,and the skin was super clean.

If its a fall bear,no matter how you do it,


be careful not to scrape into the hair roots.

It will be a lot easier to flesh on a beam if you salt it for a couple of days first. It will firm up the flesh and make it much easier to scrape off with a fleshing knife.
Lay it on a couple sheets of plywood on a slight incline let the moisture drain off for a couple of days, then let it air-dry for a few hours over some two-by-fours between saw horses.

It is a workout.Just don't push too deep or you will cut the hair roots.Did this for a friend.

He is a good friend that invited me to hunt his property for my first bear last year. So it is only right to do this in return.

Thanks guys for all the suggestions!

Dave

Nice Alex. Sounds like a good deal for both of you. Post some pics!