Although not mandatory, only bears with reasonably good fur should be considered for a full mount. If a full mount or a half mount is decided on, the most important step to getting a top quality reproduction of your bear, is to take measurements. The more measurements you take, the closer to the original bear your mount will be. Bears are like humans, they come in all shapes and sizes, and a hide with no measurements can be put on a short and fat or long and lean bear form. When skinning your bear, try to skin as reasonably clean as possible without cutting the hide. A hide with 4-6" of fat will take several days to freeze. The heads don't have to be measured unless they are skinned out, but remember- the more measurements you take, the better. I prefer the heads and the paws to be left in for all full, half and head mounts. After skinning, freezing is the preferred next step, do not salt! If the weather permits, lay the hide out to cool for a few hours. Then fold skin to skin and lay out as much as possible in the freezer. Just before it is frozen stiff it can be folded up and placed in a plastic bag. Bears rolled up in a bag and put in the freezer directly after skinning may take several days to freeze, raising the possibility of spoilage. A top quality mount is a direct result of top quality hide care. 

Rugs 

Bears skinned for rugs need no measurements, but proper skinning is essential for a quality rug. The two most common mistakes in skinning a bear for a rug are either made on the front legs, or in the side to side symmetry. After the bear is laid on its back, the first incision is down the front legs. Starting in the middle of the pad, cut down the center of  the leg, being careful to not  go too far forward or too far towards the elbow. If there is a white patch the incision should go below it, so it will show on the shoulders of the rug. Hind legs are done next, with the cut started at the point of the pad running down the back of the leg (following the line where the heavy fur meets thin fur) to the vent. After all four legs are done the same from side to side, do the belly incision. Starting about six inches below the chin, follow the "center" line down to the vent. Being careful to cut exactly on center will insure the widest rug possible. Paws should be left in by cutting through the ankle joint. The head can also be left in by cutting neck at back of head. 

Half Mounts

Mounting bears half life size is very popular, especially for bears with rub spots or poor fur. Remember to take all measurements before skinning is started. The dorsal incision is preferred for half mount bears. The rear legs do not have to be skinned out, but it is suggested to keep your options open, once they're cut off you only have one choice on how to mount your bear. 

Head Mounts    

Head mounts are a very good option for bears with very poor fur. Even well furred bears can be head mounted, with the rest of the hide dry tanned for a small throw rug. If you're not sure exactly what you will do with your bear, it's safer to skin it as you would for a rug. But instead of splitting it up to its chin, only go to the brisket, tubing off the front half the same way as caping a deer. If a head mount is all that is being done, dorsal cut the bear to behind the front legs, then cut off around the belly, cut around legs, then tube out. 

Full Mounts