Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear

Let me just get my cart before my horse.

Going after a big brownie. First time, and probably my only time.

Let's make the bold and jinking assumption that I get one.

Rug (much cheaper and spending a ton already on the hunt) vs. Full body (Dang expensive)

Worth it or not to dive head first into Full Body or just get the rug and put it up on a wall.

Unless one has lodge space, I'd be inclined to go rug.

Women will like the rug.

Full standing mount, not so much.

Very few people can do a life-size bear properly. They often mess up the expression on the face whereas a rug is pretty much foolproof. And, a big brownie rug is impressive.

True Stories!

My first bear rug I brought home, as soon as my better half saw it she wanted to shag on it. I recoiled in horror, I said "No way are you putting your stinky arse on my beautiful rug" lol

I met a nice lady when I was young bouncing at a bar, she invited me to her home, which was a mansion and told me she wanted me to do her on her husband's Beautiful Male African Lion rug which she drug into the room she brought me to, because he would not. I obliged her.

Do not trust a woman with your rug if you are not home and refuse to do her on it, women get what they want like it or not hahaha.

Go with the body mount!

Very few taxidermists can properly do an open mouth, full mount or rug, and make it look good. If you absolutely must have an open mouth on the bear, make sure to look at multiple works that particular taxidermist has done.

Voice of experience speaking here.

If it becomes a rug with the skull still in it ,you will trip over it or stick your foot in the mouth while stumbling around in the middle of the night. Nearly killed myself one night over a black bear rug ,tripped over the damn thing and crashed into the woodpile beside the fireplace.

I opted for a full body mount. I did not do the "standing" mount as other than height, I think it does a poor job of showing the true size and girth of the bear. Also a standing mount shows mostly belly and arm pit areas and hair. My mount is the size of a car. I tell people it's like having a Volkswagen in your house.

Rugs can actually take up more floor or wall space than a mount. They are massive from a true monster bear. In the end it comes down to personal taste and room in your home.

I will say this, if successful on a true giant, dont let cost totally dictate your choice. You will have taken one of the greatest game animals on earth. The hunt and resulting trophy will likely be the pinnacle of your hunting career. I look at mine nearly everyday and the memories of that hunt bring me great joy.

Good luck and post pictures!!!!

Have a rug done and hang it on the wall. I have several and they are much easier to deal with. JMHO

Rug it. Closed mouth.

Osky

I’d be content with the rug I believe.

Rugs look great on walls!

If I ever get a big enough bear, I’m mounting it sitting Indian style next to a campfire roasting a marshmallow. No but really, do a rug and put it on the wall.

A big bear makes for a HUGE rug. Life size actually takes less space.

Calling tanned hides with felt edges a rug is a bit of a misnomer.

Most of the time they hang on the wall, especially if the head is on!

I dont have a lot of wall space so shot a small bear.!


Yep it's on the floor, just wanted to take a picture before I hung it up.

I'll talk you into the crazy.
To me...there's no greater trophy.
I was blessed with a 10 foot plus bear on Kodiak Island.
It cost me way, way more than I could afford, but I don't regret a single penny spent.

Make sure you get the right taxidermist.



👆 my bear


I'm not normal in my obsession with these things ..

Salmonella, Those are some dandy bruins!
They just dont get all that big on the north slope.

Wow!

What about a rug without the head and do a European mount of the skull?