Do's and Don'ts with Snake Skin Backing

[Adam S. Daugherty]

Folks,
Got some general questions on snakeskins.  Plan to have limbs backed with some skins.  Have access to couple of snakes which have been frozen solid for about 2 years.  Just stuck in ziplock and put in freezer.  Would these skins still be useable?

If have skin that has been boraxed and air dried, can it be used.

If run across fresh skin in future what is the best way to save it to later use it for backing.

Plan to send limbs and hide to someone who knows what they are doing to have it done.

Also who are some good folks to provide this service.  Bow limbs will be off of a Silvertip Take Down.

Thanks

[John Scifres]

Yes.

Yes.

Skin it and tack it to a board.  Flesh if needed.

It's really easy to skin a bow.  Basically size the back of the bow, glue the skin on and squeeze out the air bubbles.  Make sure the pattern is where you want it.  Trim it with a new razor blade.  Spray it with satin poly.

[Eric Krewson]

Boraxed skins will work but plan to spend about 1/2 hr washing it under running water or the glue won't stick it to the bow, same with a salted skin.

I would soak your frozen skins for an hour or so before tacking them flesh side up to dry. while wet, use a spoon to flesh, pull the meat from the center of the skin to the belly scale area. You will cut off the belly scale part of the skin after it is dry when you remove it from the board.

For your next skins, roll them up, put in a zip lock bag, fill the bag with water and squeeze out the air. Throw the bag in the freezer, the water protects the skin from freezer burn, it will last indefinitely stored this way.

[Adam S. Daugherty]

much thanks fellers