snakeskin harvesting

[Lost Arra]

For the past three weeks the copperheads have been out in record numbers around here. I don't usually kill snakes but I don't like these. They blend so well with their surroundings they are dangerous. I was out shooting tonight and missed stepping on this one by 6". I would have let him walk (or crawl) if he hadn't struck at me and three yards is definitely in my range but I missed his head so I messed up the skin a bit.

I've been skinning every one I kill for bow or arrow decor. I just need a few bigger ones. (I can't believe I said that       )  

 

 

 

The spoon works great for fleshing the skin.

[bbassi]

DIBS!!!!  

[ishiwannabe]

Man thats awesome. I cant wait to see those skins on a bow.
I dont kill snakes either, but if I had that happen Iwould think about it.
Beautiful skin....this going to be a tutorial??

[Lost Arra]

I might put a couple on a bow and post it if I get some decent sized snakes. My wife doesn't think about archery applications when she kills 'em so sometimes they are in "takedown" size by the time I get to them.    

They still look good as cresting on arrows (see Ferret's PA article) and I've used smaller pieces as highlights on a bow.

[the Ferret]

Man that's a pretty snake. Get a couple bout 30" long and make the pertiest bow in Oklahoma! and a dozen arrows to match with the little ones  

[Pat B]

Almost stepped on one about that size while walking on my driveway Saturday evening. Pat

[R.W.]

Nice looking skin! Will look great on your bow.

Have you ever eaten the meat from the snakes? I ahve been told that it is pretty good eating, but have never has a chance to try it.

[Lost Arra]

I've never eaten a copperhead but I know something likes them. I put the skinned bodies on a log back in the woods behind my house and they are gone in less than an hour.

[larry]

question, do you skin a snake "cased" and then split them up the belly after you skin it, or do you cut up the center of the belly and then skin them? And while I'm asking, how bad do they smell?

[ishiwannabe]

I skinned a road killed coach whip on a recent trip south....I dont know how long it was dead...but whew. Still have the skin salted and stored...
I wanted to ask if you removed the head before skinning? Seems like it would be easy to stick yourself if not.

[Lost Arra]

Larry: I don't know the "right" way but I run a sharp knife just thru the belly skin from the vent to the head then peel the skin off. Our copperheads have no smell when skinned promptly after killing them.

I cut their heads off because about half of the venom injuries are from messing around with the head  after the snake is dead. I've seen their fangs and I don't need to see them any more.

It's so hot around here that I only skin road kill if I ran over the snake otherwise it's real smelly.

[joe skipp]

Now you know why I use Turtleskin Snake gaiters for early season hunting....  

[ishiwannabe]

I hear that Joe....everyone around me says we dont have em. Guy got bitten last year in Catskill...trout fishing.
Lostarra....you could make a killing trading those things ya know....(thats a hint)  :D  . Thats the same way I skin snakes too...seems easiest to me.
Keep it up and dont forget pics when you are done decorating.

[Jason Lester]

Cool

Copperheads look great on Osage. My hunting bow is a copperhead skinned Osage selfbow.

[Preston Lay]

Was out deer looking yesterday and found a killed timber rattler on the road.The head and rattles were gone and the body was mint.Beautiful skin.Ive killed two nice cooperheads in my backyard this year one got my lab before I got him. Ive Lived at this location for sixteen years and this is the first to ever see a cooperhead on the property. I hear others say they are seeing more cooperheads this year.My guess is all the flooding rain during the summer.

[jbb]

I was out camping a couple weeks ago with several of my neighbors.  As I was getting ready to set up my tent, my eight year old girl lets out a scream.  I look over and there is a small rattlesnake shooting between her feet.  I grabbed a stick and pinned him to the ground. I thought I would get a hold of him and carry him away from the campsite and let him go but he was too mad, squirming and striking.  I am not much of a snake handler, especially poisonous ones.  I ended up whacking him with my hammer I was using for the tent stakes.  I felt bad about it but I can't have a snake biting my kid.

[Lost Arra]

Jeff: Poisonous snakes have a choice. Crawl away or strike at people and get "hammered".

[ksbowman]

I usually peel the skin off like a sock after removing the head,then split them with a pair of sissors.Ran out a 5-6 foot timber rattler the other day but let him go as they are protected here.  Ben