bear claws

[rawhide]

hey guys I got a bear and got the claws off ehat I need to know is how to cure them I want to make a choker out of them.

 

[Black Hand]

Let them dry...
If still attached to the feet, remove at the knuckle, let them dry and remove the remainder of the dried flesh.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Congratulations. :thumbsup: Do as advised.
When choker completed, a picture is mandantory. :wink:

 

[Supercracker]

when they're being dried should they be salted or packed in salt?

 

[rabjr]

That reminds me, I have a baggy full of bear claws in the freezer I need to play with one of these days.

 

[crockett]

You could probably use salt to draw moisture out and then brush off the salt but I think just letting them dry ought to be fine.

 

[rawhide]

well I looked around the net and on a hunting froum I guy said to get most of the skin and hair off first. so I did then put them in a bowl of borax. (same stuff to cure fish eggs for bait). then in a few days check on then. ad more borax if needed. when dry scrap all the gunk off. said not to use salt can make them weak and brittle. I don't know. I got them in borax right now will keep ya'll posted.

 

[Black Hand]

when they're being dried should they be salted or packed in salt?

No need. There really isn't enough flesh left to make it necessary.

 

[gmarc]

I wonder if putting them in a food-dehydrator would work..........

 

[brubincam]

-----I found an old bear claw looking for arrowheads years ago--must of been plowed up for the first time-----

 

well I looked around the net and on a hunting froum I guy said to get most of the skin and hair off first.

You'd do much better if you listened to the guys on this forum. IMO

 

[S.Kenton]

Borax is what I used for similar projects..It works well.

 

[S.Kenton]

Thats pretty cool! I've found LOTS of stuff while hunting the elusive arrowheads, a few OLD teeth, some very old, unidentified bones..but NEVER a bear claw!

 

[grndhntr]

Here's one that I made from a bear that I shot with a bow a few years back. This bear hunt was fun because I was on the ground, called in the bear, and shot it at 3 yds.

 

[grndhntr]

Here's the bear that the claw came from:

The choker is made from several beads that I got at a bead shop (I don't think the lady in the bead shop had ever dealt with some guy wanting to make a bear-claw necklace before :wink I epoxied a longer metal bead to the claw to get it on the cord.

 

[grndhntr]

I simply cleaned the "stuff" off the claws with a knife and let them dry (didn't use any borax or salt). Seemed to work fine.

 

[rabjr]

I asked this question a few years ago and was told to put them in salty water in a bowl with warm water and put the bowl on my gas stove which would just keep it warm enough. The next morning everything popped out of the claws and they cleaned right up.

Actually just found the thread,
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...186721/post/190911/hl/bear+claws/fromsearch/1/

 

[Nifeman]

Here's a necklace that Miss Tudy made from some bear claws from a bear that my dad shot about 35 yrs ago and used Hudson Bay beads. Have to give Spence credit for the idea though, he's got a beautiful old necklace...

Bud

 

[paulvallandigham]

Bud: Terrific work, but you failed to mention anything about the medallion. Is that an original? or a copy? What does the printed date and reference to location mean, if anything? Who did the fancy work on the top edge? Or is that a casting?

I do like the folded leather between the beads. That would make it softer to wear, and a lot quieter than having everything rattling together.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

 

[Deadeye]

Very pretty Nifeman, I made this one 25 or 30 yrs. ago, don't remember exactly but I just cleaned them off and let them dry, never put anything on them.

Deadeye