using corn snakes as skins?

[sticksnstones]

I saw one of these little buggers in North Carolina this summer and I've been thinking about how cool they could look as skins for a bow.
   

I searched around the archives and see a few examples of people using them, and I do like them.

I have a boo under clear glass bow, I'm wondering if it would be too light of a color to make a good match?

I'm thinking red or black backing would probably make them look better, any thoughts from anyone who has experience with them?
Thom

[Goshawkin]

Nice Okeetee corn. I had some very nice banded Abbott's Okeetees that I gave to a friend. I think I may get a couple hatchlings from him and raise them up to longbow size.  :D

[ishoot4thrills]

Beautiful snakes, and also harmless.

If it were me, I would use some kind of poisonous snakes for skinning bows and leave the non-poisonous ones alone. Especially the red rat(corn) snakes. They are very rare in my area already.

But, that's just my opinion and something some may want to consider.

[wingnut]

Yep I agree.  The Corn snake does a lot more good where he is then on a bow.  Lots of other snakes that can be used that look great.

Mike

[Thumper Dunker]

Originally posted by wingnut:
Yep I agree.  The Corn snake does a lot more good where he is then on a bow.  Lots of other snakes that can be used that look great.

Mike

+2

[Goshawkin]

Get a couple captive bred corns.

[sticksnstones]

Thanks for your thoughts fellas. I was led to believe they were very common in the wild and one of the more popular snake species for pets.
Thom

[TxAg]

Check craigslist for them as pets.

[SELFBOW19953]

I know it's not the same as "the real thing", but get up with Onestringer,  http://www.onestringer.com/.   With the right type of photo, they can create the sticky backed limb covers.

[YORNOC]

[YORNOC]

I don't think any species of anything should be given less respect than another. A corn snake, a garter, a rattle snake, a cotton mouth. They all serve their purpose just the same. Just my  opinion.
They are gorgeous snakes for sure. They are not endangered by any means, and as with all snakes you have to check if it is legal to take them in your state.If it is, there is no population problem. If its illegal, admire them from afar.

They are like copperheads and show colors better over lighter woods. These are over yew.  Here's another over brown glass to the left:

 

[S C Mercer]

Dave, those are some beauiful skins you have there!  You apply them yourself?  ~Steve

[DVSHUNTER]

One I've done.

[Roadkill]

My son killed a rattler in the jogging path last month.  He said unconscious people with head phones walked past.  He said there was no place to move it.  He gave it to me to skin and the meat went to a Vietnamese friend for lunch.
Kill it eat it obtains

[sticksnstones]

Good stuff! What is the wood under the selfbow?

Dave, I think that you're right about putting it over light colors will be the way to go. I stumbled across these pics in my searching and they were a motivator      

Anyone have an example over red or white glass? Using clear glass on boo looks like it would be a no brainer, just wondering what else I should be thinking about for a skin like this.

Huge thanks to everyone for helping me turn the wheels on this one!
Thom