Look what a neighbor gave me.

[KellyG]

What a neighbor!
 

This was the second the first was about a 5' black rat. both road kills
These are a pain to skin and clean it has few holes but in fair shape. I have about 21" of usable skin.

[WestTexan]

That'll look good on a bow  

[WestTexan]

Kelly I have pretty good luck just pull it off without cutting the belly side.... I just pull it down about 6 inches then cut the belly side about 5" then start over till it's done. It normally is real clean and I tack it on a board then cut the belly off when it's dry.

[cunruhshoot]

That is a nice looking skin. I have two skins in the freezer against my wife's wishes. I have a nice big Rattler and a Redtail boa skin. The boa skin has a story behind it that i might share some time. I would love to know the process of going from hide to backing on a bow...If there is a thread that someone could point me too that would be awesome.

[KellyG]

Cunruhshoot it is easy skin snake. I thank it down and then scrap the skin to get any fat or meat off. then let dry. on a hot day it does not take long. I turn my board over so the skins were under it (just in case it rained it did). They are done now. I will trim up the edges a bit. then roll the skins and store in a zip lock back.

To put on a bow soak in warm water. Pat off the excess water. Cover back of the bow with TBIII and work excess glue out. let dry. You can put them on fresh off the carcass I have never done it.