Has anyone tried the Boco tanning method on black bear hides? I have a small black bear hide that I think I am going to try the Boco method on this winter. I’ve done a few coons and rats with the method and have been pleased. Any pointers?

I have done small bears,just make sure you de grease the bearhide good.Especially a fall bear.

Definitely the key to all tanning, get the grease off!

Boco knows his stuff. His foxes, for example, are among the most beautiful I've seen. Cleaned, dried and fluffed.

What is your preferred method to degrease bear? I just used dish soap for coons. I was surprised this bear was not as greasy as some of the larger ones but still greasier than a coon.

I scrape them real good while drying,And I wipe the skin down with mixture of water and laundry soap between scrapings as it dries.I;ll do this 3 or 4 times while the skin dries.Then when I re hydrate the skin for tanning,I will give it another wash with dish soap and rinse.This will also clean the fur and keep your pickle clean.

Boco,

Have you seen any issues created by fleshing the fall bears? I have experienced where the root of the hair is, at times, extending past the leather and into the fat.

Yes that is an issue with fall bears.
Fall bears after tanning,either home tanning or from the factory can have hair on the leather side of the pelt.It does not fall out of the hide though.Looks like crap on the leather side though.

Yep, that has been my observation. I was wondering if it was common throughout their range. I figured it would be.

*Sorry to hijack the thread.

Pertinent info is always welcomed I suspect.
Fat scrapes off pretty easy with a dull scraper,If you dont cut the roots off with a sharp scraper,even though they grow thru the hide they wont fall out after tanning

You can buy degreaser from taxidermy supply outfits. Sometimes issues can arise (slipping) from using household cleaners if they have a basic pH versus a neutral or acidic pH.

Good point Waggler,Soaps(alkali) are only a problem if you let the skins sit in the soap solution.
Wash and rinse well is the ticket.
Alkali dissolves the keratin that holds the hir roots in the follicle.washing the skin side only with a soapy rag then scraping is not an issue.
Solvents are superior degreasers but are more expensive to use and only safe for outdoor use as many are flammable.
The ones available from taxidermy supply house are likely non flammable and safe to use..

Thanks for all the feedback and pointers. I will let everyone know how it goes. Temps were in the 40’s yesterday morning so I got the hide off and semi cooled then quickly into the freezer. By afternoon temps were in the 80’s so not real conducive for dealing with a greasy bear hide. I’ll wait for colder weather to thaw and begin the process.