Thinking of sending to Moyles. Lots of $$ for shipping.

Any recommendations closer to home (Homer, KP, Anchorage)?

I just sent a black bear to Moyles. We'll see how it turns out. I have been happy with all their other work on furbearers.

Moyles did one for me, and New Method did the other. Shipping was expensive on both.
The large, (9'-plus) bear I salted, scraped, repeat, until almost dry, but plyable. I had to use a box from a dishwasher, and sent it surface. Was still a couple hundred. That was about 5 years ago.

I sent an email and finally heard back from them. Yes - they want it dried. I need to scrape it and salt it again no matter what. It's probably going to cost me a few hundred each way unless there is something between me and Anchorage that is reputable.

There is a tannery in Anchorage called Arctic Fox. I have used them for bears, wolverine and beaver. They are hard working guys and do a good job. It used to be called Alpha tanning but it has changed owners.

I have sent to Moyles and that is the best tanning I have ever had on beavers. The bears I sent to Moyles are very close to the same quality that I get at Arctic Fox, but no shipping charges. For my money on bears, I keep them in Anchorage. I just picked up my bear, wolverine and beavers and I will go back to them, good price and no shipping.

Moyles can't be beat on quality but they are very expensive, your choice, now you have an option.

Of the many black bears I've shipped, a couple went to New Method, one to Sitka Tribal Tannery, and the rest, (maybe 15, or so), went to Moyles.
Moyles is is the best, by far, and I will NEVER use Sitka, again. Ever.

Superwide could you explain in some detail the difference in quality between a Moyle tanned beaver and the Arctic Fox tanned ones? Shipping costs are killing me.

Super Wide let me ask you this. If you were 56 years old, had a bunch of near-death experiences under your belt, went and shot a brown bear on Kodiak Island, and realize it very well might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience - would you still ship it to Arctic Fox? You can PM me if you want...

To the OP Wolverine Hunter, No, I would not tan in Anchorage if it was a once in a lifetime project. I would send it to Moyles Mink and Tannery.

To answer Dirt's question. The tanning is very good, but if I were to make some very special clothing I would want Moyles to tan those. Arctic Fox does a good job, but Moyles pelts are more supple, I think thinner, so more time on the round knife I believe. Arctic Fox pelts are a little stiffer than Moyles, but a heck of a lot less in money. If it's just for wall hangers or taxidermy Arctic Fox will be fine for me. If it's a once in a lifetime project, it's Moyles for that stuff. That's my opinion and experience. If I'm making beaver rugs, then I like them a little stiffer anyways, so I will save time and money and keep them here in Alaska. They have tanned beaver, wolverine, black and brown bears, marten, ermine and such for me and I will continue to use them. The smaller animals like Marten and Mink, there doesn't seem to be a difference. In the end I think Moyles does a little more time on the round knife and thins the pelts down a little more. The oil in the pelts are about the same in my experience. Hope this answers the question.