Copperhead skins??

[Dennis]

How big does a snake need to be to have a useable skin? Do you use 2? Is it worth the risk to catch/kill a few to sell? I have a student that has access to good copperhead hunting and he wanted to know if it's worth the trouble. I told him this group might have answers to his questions.

Dennis

[MOBow]

Skins should be 30" or better for most bows.  Two skins per bow.  There is a good demand for them and $60 to $80 per pair is typical.  I don't know the legalities of killing snakes or selling wildlife in Kentucky so make sure you check that out.  keith

[Eric Krewson]

Your friend could sell every copperhead he finds, the demand is very high. I suspect anythng less than 25" would be used more for hat bands than bows.

[macbow]

Dennis, like MOBow said be sure to check the regs. To sell to some folks you have to provide papers showing they were taken in in a leagal manor.
I know Black Widow bows uses the legal ones and needs the larger skins. Missouri is one of the states it is not legal to harvest snakes.
Ron

[the Ferret]

For top dollar skins must be undamaged, air dried, and matched in length, color and pattern.
There is no more sought after skin than the copperhead. Your friend could sell every matched pair he could come up with.

[loyd]

i have sold 1 or 2 over the years of bow building, to anwser your ? yes its worth the trouble. be sure to cut the head off before you skin them. loyd

[Dennis]

Guys, thanks for the responses. I will check on state regs and let my student know what I've found out. It would be a kick if the copperhead is protected. Ferret, do you have to hunt for twins, ha? Eric, good call on the use on a bow, I forgot to say, hadn't thought of hat bands though. Again tnx for the answers.

Dennis