Need a good taxidermist(for bear) in N.Cal/S.Or.

[Yota Up]

It looks like I'll get a real good chance to get myself a bruin this season.
After a few tries out, including a trip to Idaho - I've come up empty.

Never ran with dogs, though.  Now I got a fella who's a guide with dogs and he's taking me out, for free. 
I'm not rich.

I'd like to ask if any of you have used a taxi service anywhere between Weed/Redding/Shasta and Klamath Falls/Ashland/Medford.  I'm willing to drive a little for the right guy with skills.

I'm not quite asking for a hookup as far as getting a huge discount - I'm really looking for quality work and I'm willing to pay for it(God help me, wife is gonna kill me).  Don't get me wrong, I'd appreciate a discount - but since this is likely the one and only bear rug I'm ever gonna have - I'd like it to be as good as it can.  Actually I may want a should mount(top half of body coming through wall ferociously).  We can figure that out later.

Thanks for your input.  If you don't have any input, feel free to just jump in with anything related.

[Ramrod]

ah man I hope you dont have to pay someone to guide you for a bear.  Just shoot a deer, gut it and dress it out then wait around for the bear to come and you get a 2 for 1 deal and you cant get in trouble for baiting if your just cleaning your deer.  I just did it on sunday and it worked like a charm just like always.

back on subject Im also looking for a good taxidermist  for a duck

[Yota Up]

Dude, I said the guy was taking me out for free.  He likes me.  We kinda made friends when we met.  You know how that happens.  Dude likes my truck, I dig his dogs.  We talk, he's cool.  He's gonna take me huntin'.  Sweet.  No pay, bro.  No pay.  Not rich.

PS:  I've been out for bear on my own, without dogs - 3 times.  Plus one time in Idaho with a season fella, but again without dogs.  Since I ain't got dogs, I need someone with dogs to raise the stakes.  It's gravy, and I'm excited.

[kneedownnate]

My dad helped his friend run dogs for many years.  His knees are completely shot out now, but I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it as long as he went.  He didn't get paid, just got some bear meat sometimes and some really good excercise!  I went out with them 2 or 3 times when I was pretty young and it was a really neat, but I can honestly say I'm not a huge fan of running dogs for bears now.

If I were to get a hankerin for a bear I'd do what I already do..... go hiking!  I've seen tons of bears over the years, but last year I saw the biggest one I've ever seen, also the first bear that didn't follow protocall, first one to stand and stare me down for who knows how long.  First bear that made me think I may have been in trouble.  He eventually backed down and ran away, then I saw him again a while later (this being the 3rd time that day) and was able to get some fuzzy pics.  Sadly it's hard to tell his size in these pics, but if you know the things to look for when judging a bear's size from a distance then you'll see it.

[BLACKDOG]

I'll check with my Boss tommorow, and see if he knows of anyone.  He grew up up there, and he's told me many a story of him and his grandpa running dogs, so he may know of someone in the area still

[papa mike]

dont skimp on price of getting it done  ,,i shot  a bear  25 years ago with a bow in ,,minn. but just had the head mounted    big mistake,,  but it still looks  pretty good 

[Ramrod]

just developed the film from my scouting camera I set up last weekend.  Got some good pics of a BIG black bear from about 5 feet

[Stocker]

My dad helped his friend run dogs for many years.  His knees are completely shot out now, but I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it as long as he went.  He didn't get paid, just got some bear meat sometimes and some really good excercise!  I went out with them 2 or 3 times when I was pretty young and it was a really neat, but I can honestly say I'm not a huge fan of running dogs for bears now.

And that would be me, and yup the knees aren't too happy with me at times...  but it was fun while it lasted!  And one heckuva workout, especially given our terrain around here.  The problem is, you're not hunting bear as much as chasing hounds -- and the darn things can seemingly go forever.  Of course the pesky bear often trees waaaaaayyy downhill so the packing out is mostly uphill.   

Good luck with your hunt, Yota Up.  Can't wait to hear the stories and see the pics! 

[kneedownnate]

The problem is, you're not hunting bear as much as chasing hounds -- and the darn things can seemingly go forever

I vaguely remember the time we crawled on a game trail that went under the thick brush, only to have to turn back around.  Half the fun was trying to narrow down where the dogs actually were, especially as hilly as it is around there!

just developed the film from my scouting camera I set up last weekend.  Got some good pics of a BIG black bear from about 5 feet

Post up, I wanna see

[Yota Up]

Sadly it's hard to tell his size in these pics, but if you know the things to look for when judging a bear's size from a distance then you'll see it.

Small ears = big bear.  Big ears = small bear.  They grow into their ears.
That's a nice one.  I'd be happy with it.  Right on Nate.


Team Ramrod - let's see those pics.
Here's one of my puppy with a bruin in Kings Canyon:

[Stocker]

Here's one of my puppy with a bruin in Kings Canyon:

Nice pic, and a smart pup to stay put!

[Ramrod]

the pics arent digital so its a no go for now.  I just checked my digital camera yesterday but I had it set on periodic photography instead of motion detection mode so I got 488 pictures of a small section of hillside and not a single animal in any of them

[crwlntoy]

I dont know any up north, but I do know one personally in Madera. The guy does all of my animals and does show quallity work.Life Like taxidermy is the name of his shop. My old boss had a record book bear done by a shop out of Redding and it looks like crap. What ever you do, make sure you look at the taxidermist work before you let him get his hands on your cape.It really sucks when you get a animal back and its not up to your expectations.