Black Bear rug open or closed mouth

[Yotkilr]

Was lucky enough to get a black bear while in AK a few weeks ago and am planning on making a rug out of the hide. Can’t decide to go with an open mouth or closed. I feel black bears aren’t aggressive so kinda seems silly to have it look that way personally but not many examples of closed ones online and they don’t seem to look right either. Don’t know if just poor angle of picture or not a good taxidermy work. Does anyone else have one done and can show me a picture of it or have an option why you did it the way you did?

Thanks

Shayne

 

[DirtyMike]

Closed. Use the teeth for a necklace.

 

[bigv]

I did mine closed. Looks a lot better. Wanted a nice, pretty rug not something that looked mean or aggressive. My tax man who did it said open doesn't look right. Plus, open costs more.

 

[Duckslayer100]

I think if they actually used the bear's skull, then open would be sweet. But they're always a fake mouth, so that seems silly. I think a closed mouth would be classy. Then get the skull boiled and bleached as a swanky mantel trophy.

 

[BrewCrew]

My thoughts are more practical - walking to the fridge at 2:00 am and stub your foot into that open mouth.....now your bleeding and peeing on that nice new rug all at the same time - then the wife comes running in and sees your foot stuck in the mouth and she shoots it again - bullet goes through the floor and hits the main water line in the basement - oh boy now you really got an issue to deal with -

Yep - mouth closed.......

 

[Bowhunter_24]

I killed this 7’ bear with my hands after he ate my golden retriever so I figured open mouth was appropriate

 

[Wags2.0]

Now I want to kill a bear

 

[Achucker]

I did mine with a mouth partial open. Not aggressive. Reminds me of a bear foraging and breathing through mouth. If I remember I'll tak a pick of it tonight

 

[cooter00]

I got mine open my kids think it's cool to stick there hands in it lol

 

[wjschmaltz]

CLOSED! I regret doing an open-mouth rug. Closed-mouth is much more natural and looks more realistic. You will likely clean the skull and also have that on display so you can show people the business end that way.

 

[Frosty....]

First, congrats...you guys have had a great fall!!

Another vote for closed or go the route of Achuker...a lot more natural.

 

[Achucker]

- - - Updated - - -

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Personally I’d go mouth closed. But it’s all in what you like

 

[Yotkilr]

Thanks everyone, confirmed what I was thinking. Will co with closed, And yes am going to clean the skull and have that also. Now i just have to decide on felt colors lol

 

[fj40]

I don't recall the taxidermist asking and really gave it no thought. Green Bay Packers colors look mighty fine (or Bison, your pick).

 

[KDM]

If it was my bear, I'd skip the whole head thing altogether and keep the entire thing flat, much like coyote, fox, and other fur bearer skins are tanned. Congratulations on the bear either way!!!

 

[LBrandt]

Mouth closed. Your toes will thank you.

 

[5575]

I like open mouth full mounts. :;:thumbsup

 

[bucksnbears]

Looks like a great mount 5575!
I prefer closed mouth on rugs.

 

[Achucker]

If it was my bear, I'd skip the whole head thing altogether and keep the entire thing flat, much like coyote, fox, and other fur bearer skins are tanned. Congratulations on the bear either way!!!

I've got one of those two. Cant think of what to do with it.