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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Crittergetter on April 11, 2017, 10:31:00 AM
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I got a pretty good copper head the other day and was looking for tips on how to preserve it. I skinned it out and salted it till I got home. Then covered it in borax. Not sure if this was the right thing to do tho. Once I get a couple I want to put them on a self bow. (http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k359/crittergetter76/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-04/4F2CE897-577A-4E49-A396-AE318E9E92AD_zpsi4yfjfyx.jpg) (http://s324.photobucket.com/user/crittergetter76/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-04/4F2CE897-577A-4E49-A396-AE318E9E92AD_zpsi4yfjfyx.jpg.html)
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We just skin them scape a little if there is anything on the skin, and tac to a board with a bunch of push pins, making sure to keep the pattern straight down the center of the skin. You just need to dry them you don't need salt or borax.
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I agree with Tim. Rinse the salt and borax off, clean the flesh side(be careful, copperhead skins are thin) of fat and soft tissue, tack it up flesh side up and let it dry. It only takes a few hours on clear, low humidity days. You can even put it in the sun to help drying.
When you are sure it is completely dry, roll it up, place it in a zip loc baggie and store it until you find another or two. That is a beautiful skin!.
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I have a big fat cotton mouth skin I got last year. It's huge. I'm hoping I can skin my Centaur with this one skin. I do need to stretch it out though.
When I killed it, I just skinned him out, rolled it up and threw it in the freezer, I hope I didn't ruin anything there.
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On a snake there is very little flesh/fat that stays on the skin. Tack it out and you can use a butter knife to take of whatever flesh that is there.
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Daniel, you should be OK. You can thaw it out, clean the flesh side and glue it down green.You don't have to dry it first but most folks do. If your skin is wide enough you should be able to cut it down the middle, lengthwise and glue half to each limb. The pattern on cottonmouths and timber rattlers work well for cutting lengthwise and getting similar patterns for both limbs.
Before I glue down a skin I like to wash it in warm soapy(Dawn dish soap) and rinse well. TB glue works well and is compatible with wood or glass bows. The skin should be hydrated before gluing anyway.
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Daniel
Your wife will tell you if you "ruined" anything, at least mine will