Snakeskin Preparation

[RAU]

I've  skinned 3 snakes in my life. One small copperhead that nearly bit my son. It was hiding under his tricycle. A small milk snake (I think) that my neighbor thought was a baby copperhead and one really nice big copperhead that my neighbor found fresh killed on shoulder of a nearby road. The two small snakes dried out into something resembling cellophane in a day or two and made real cool arrow cresting.  I was down in the basement today going thru the deepfreeze when I found that big copperhead skin. I thawed it out and tacked it out to a big card board box. This snake is a hair under 36 inches long and beautiful. It's Also got alot more mass to it than the 2 previous little ones. I did NO fleshing and I'm worried about it now. I plan on using this snake on a bow I have planned.  Anyone know if I wrecked this skin? I put it behind my Woodstove and it seems to be drying nicely it's just those belly scales, the ones that run perpendicular too the snake if that makes sense seem to have some meat too
them that I'm worried I shoulda removed. Any advice?

[Bobby Urban]

Well I think the answer is yes and no, possibly?

If it dries out then it should be fine but you will have a little snake jerky connected to your skin.  Depending on what you plan to do with it I think you should remove the flesh or be subject to possible issues.  If it is going onto a bow you may be cutting away the belly scales anyway(depending on limb width) if not then just scrape it off with a knife gently after you reconstitute it in warm water before applying to the bow.  

If you plan to display it then I would think the dried meat may attract bugs and your dog if you have one.  

Keep a close eye on it and as long as it is drying out fast(which it should be located near the wood stove) it should not rot which is the only other issue I can imagine.  Afer it is dry the flesh may peel off if you are careful but that will be trial and hopefully not error.

JMO - I am not expert but I have skinned a few bows.

[ranger 3]

Put this over on the Bowyer's bench