A bear rug is one of the most classic and timeless ways to display your bear harvest. Whether it is draped over furniture, mounted on a wall, or laid out as a floor display, a professionally tanned and finished bear rug preserves your trophy for generations.
At Stehling’s Taxidermy we specialize in custom black bear rugs that are professionally tanned, hand-finished, and built to last. Second-generation taxidermists Aaron and Austin Stehling bring more than 48 years of experience and thousands of completed bears to every rug we build. Explore all of our bear taxidermy options, including half mounts, full life-size mounts, and skull mounts.
Bear rugs at a glance
- Price: $350 per foot, measured nose to tail. A 5½-foot bear works out to about $1,925.
- Included: professional tanning, felt or fabric backing, paw finishing, and the head mount on open- and closed-mouth styles.
- Turnaround: typically 12–14 months, with some projects taking longer.
- Where: two Wisconsin shops — Jefferson and New Franken — and both accept bear drop-offs.
- Out of state: we accept properly frozen or salted hides shipped to us.
- Species: black bear, plus grizzly and brown bear rugs.
Bear Rug Gallery
Completed bear rug projects from our shop — open-mouth, closed-mouth, wall-mounted, and flat rugs.
Bear Rug Options
We offer several bear rug styles to match how you plan to display it:
- Open-Mouth Rug: The classic bear rug look — head mounted with an open-mouth expression showing teeth. A dramatic, traditional display.
- Closed-Mouth Rug: A more subtle, natural look with the mouth closed. Clean and understated.
- Flat Rug (No Head Mount): A tanned and finished flat rug without a mounted head — ideal for wall hanging or floor use.
- Wall-Mounted Rug: Professionally backed and finished for wall display, with a mounted head.
- Custom Options: We can accommodate special requests for lining, backing, and display style.
Tanning & Finishing
Every bear rug at Stehling’s Taxidermy is professionally tanned using high-quality methods that ensure a soft, durable, and long-lasting hide. Our finishing process includes:
- Professional Tanning: Hides are tanned to be soft, supple, and resistant to cracking or drying out.
- Head Mounting: For open-mouth and closed-mouth rugs, the head is mounted on a custom form with hand-painted detail, glass eyes, and a finished nose and mouth.
- Felt or Fabric Backing: Rugs are backed with high-quality material for a clean, finished look and added durability.
- Paw Finishing: Paws are padded and finished for a natural, lifelike appearance.
Bear Rug Pricing by Size
Bear rugs are priced at a flat $350 per foot, measured nose to tail. Open-mouth and closed-mouth head mounts are included in that per-foot price, so the length of your bear is what determines the cost:
| Bear length (nose to tail) | Finished rug price |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | $1,750 |
| 5½ ft | $1,925 |
| 6 ft | $2,100 |
| 6½ ft | $2,275 |
| 7 ft | $2,450 |
Prices above cover tanning, backing, paw finishing, and the head mount. A flat rug with no head mount is priced at the same per-foot rate. Custom lining, backing, and display requests are quoted individually.
All Bear Mount Pricing
Bear rugs are $350 per foot. For the full breakdown of every bear mount option — half mounts ($2,500+), full life-size mounts ($5,000+), and skull mounts ($275) — visit our pricing page or our main bear taxidermy page.
We also offer flexible financing and payment plans so you can get your bear rug completed without delay.
How to Measure Your Bear for a Rug
Because pricing is per foot, the finished cost comes down to one measurement. Lay the hide out flat, run a tape measure from the tip of the nose straight down the back to the base of the tail, and round to the nearest half foot. If you are not sure, send us a photo with a tape measure laid alongside the hide and we will size it for you before you commit.
Field Care Tips – Protect Your Trophy
Proper field care is critical for a quality bear rug. Bears have thick hides that hold heat, so you need to act fast:
- Skin your bear as soon as possible — heat causes hair slippage quickly.
- Keep the hide cool, out of direct sunlight, and avoid letting it sit in water.
- For a rug, the entire hide including paws and head must be preserved — leave plenty of extra hide.
- Salt the hide generously if you cannot get it to a taxidermist or freezer right away.
- When in doubt, call us before your hunt and we will walk you through the skinning process for a rug.
Read our complete field care and pre-hunt planning guide for more advice on getting from the field to the finished rug.
Where to Bring Your Bear
Stehling’s Taxidermy operates two Wisconsin locations, and both accept bear drop-offs:
- Jefferson, WI — 913 North Parkway Street, Jefferson, WI 53549
- New Franken, WI — 3861 Algoma Rd Suite 3, New Franken, WI 54229
We take bears from across Wisconsin and the surrounding region, and we accept properly frozen or salted hides shipped in from out of state. Call us before you ship so we can walk you through packing. See our locations and hours for directions and drop-off times.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Rugs
How much does a bear rug cost?
Bear rugs at Stehling’s Taxidermy are priced at $350 per foot, measured nose to tail. That includes professional tanning, felt or fabric backing, paw finishing, and head mounting for open-mouth or closed-mouth styles. A 5-foot bear is about $1,750 and a 6-foot bear about $2,100. Contact us for a personalized quote.
How long does it take to complete a bear rug?
Bear rugs typically take 12–14 months from drop-off to finished rug, with some projects taking longer. Tanning alone accounts for a large part of that, and turnaround shifts with the season and our current workload. Rush orders may be available — contact us to discuss your timeline.
What is the difference between an open-mouth and closed-mouth bear rug?
An open-mouth bear rug features the head mounted with the mouth open, showing teeth — the classic, dramatic look. A closed-mouth rug has a more subtle, natural expression with the mouth closed. Both options include a professionally sculpted head mount with glass eyes and detailed finishing, and both are priced the same at $350 per foot.
Can I get a bear rug without a head mount?
Yes. We offer flat bear rugs without a mounted head, which are ideal for wall hanging or floor display. The hide is still professionally tanned, backed, and finished with paw detailing for a clean, quality result.
How do I measure my bear for a rug?
Lay the hide out flat and measure from the tip of the nose straight down the back to the base of the tail, then round to the nearest half foot. That nose-to-tail length times $350 gives you the price. If you are unsure, send us a photo with a tape measure laid alongside the hide and we will size it for you.
Do you make grizzly and brown bear rugs?
Yes. Along with black bear rugs, we make rugs from grizzly and brown bear hides. The same styles are available — open-mouth, closed-mouth, wall-mounted, and flat — and pricing is quoted per foot. Contact us with the size of your hide for a quote.
Can I ship you my bear hide from out of state?
Yes. We accept bear hides shipped to us from out of state as long as they are properly frozen or salted for transit. Call us before you ship so we can walk you through packing and make sure the hide arrives in good condition.
My bear hide has been in the freezer since last season. Can you still use it?
Usually, yes. A hide that was skinned and frozen properly can still make an excellent rug even after a season or more in the freezer. Keep it frozen solid until you bring it in, and give us a call if you are not sure whether it was handled correctly.
Can I drop my bear off at either of your locations?
Yes. Both our Jefferson and New Franken shops accept bear drop-offs. Check our locations and hours page for directions and current drop-off times before you head over.
How should I care for my bear rug after I receive it?
Keep your bear rug out of direct sunlight and away from high heat sources to prevent fading and drying. Brush the fur periodically with a soft brush to keep it looking full and natural. Avoid placing it in high-moisture areas, and contact a professional taxidermist if any repairs are needed over time.
Do you offer financing for bear rugs?
Yes. We offer flexible financing and payment plans for all of our bear taxidermy services, including rugs. Contact us to discuss payment options that work for your budget.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you have already harvested your bear or you are planning ahead for next season, we would love to talk about your rug. Contact us today for a free consultation and quote.
Explore Our Other Bear Taxidermy Services
Bear Half Mounts →Full Life-Size Bear Mounts →Bear Skull Mounts →All Bear Taxidermy →
