Bear measurements?

[T-Bro]

I understand how to measure the skull, but how exactly do you measure the square footage on a bear?
My NM bear had a 19 7/8" skull and the rug measures 6' exactly from nose to tail.
Also, is there a way to guesstimate the animal in the field?

[tundragriz]

Measure across the tips of the front claws for a width measurement.  Add your previous length measurement to the width measurement, divide by 2.  The result will be the average or squared measurement.

For example: length is 6'5", width is 6'3", total is 12'8" divided by 2 = 6'4"
That makes it square at 6'4".

Don't overly stretch it in either direction for a true measurement.