This will be out of place a bit... because, like the old "best rabbit recipe joke" the first step is killing the rabbit...
Virtually all descriptions for skinning bears start with cuts from heels to bunghole down the back of each leg. And that is flat wrong...
On the inside of each thigh there is a large patch of hide with very nice hair. Problem is that cutting tight from heel to bung leaves the big flap of fur on the inside curve of the belly... taxis trim them off to make the rug look good!
So, the heel cuts should go heel to back of knee, and THEN a straight cut from back of knee to about the front edge of hind leg. It is CRITICAL the cuts be the same on each side, but not critical they be in exactly the same place on each bear.
The flap between the legs, going forward can be left unsplit or split in the middle.
What it produces is a large flap that can be stretched into a graceful curve either side of the bunghole... or a large flap BEHIND the tail.
In the Anchorage Cabela's there are two large brown bear rugs above the NICS clearance counters. One has the flaps cut as graceful curves while the other has a large circular flap at least a foot behind the tail... both options for those that have skinned a bear or two...
