copperhead

[mscampbell75]

Came accross a 3' copperhead road kill in awesome shape.  Picked it up to skin my longbow.  To those that have done your own, any suggestions were to start?

I currently have it in the freezer on hold.  I have not have time to do anything to it yet.

[mscampbell75]

Also... does the color of the bow change how the skins look?  Would i be ok w/ putting them over this bow?  I want to maintain the color of the copperhead as much as possible.

[KentuckyTJ]

Most bowyers put a layer of color under the skins. The skins are very thin and need this color to maintain the color you are trying to keep. Bill put a tan color under my copperheads.

 

[Pat B]

You can either use the skin green, right off the snake or skin it and tack it to a board, flesh side out, and let it dry. Once dry you can store it in a ziplock bag until you are ready to install it. Tite-BondIII glue seems to be the glue of choice for glass backed bows.

[nineworlds9]

You're gonna skin those beautiful limbs???  If it were me I'd have a set of brown or black glass limbs made then skin those.  But that's just me.  I'm sure it'll look great either way!

[nineworlds9]

Just realized that's a Black Creek so no new limbs can be made  :(   the other guys are right a ground color would bring out the pattern best.  Boy that BC is pretty, but if you're ready to do it well why not.

[White Falcon]

I like it as is!

[RM81]

Here's a write-up I did when I skinned one of my bows awhile back.
 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=104823;p=1#000000

[Izzy]

Dont do it! That bow is gorgeous.

[Spurs]

I agree those veneers might be to mice to skin.   Dang they are purdy.

[Flying Dutchman]

I would save that skins for another bow! This one is too pretty!

[Thumper Dunker]

Your nuts to cover those ,those are gorgeous limbs.

[jmrsyrs]

Don't think I'd skin those limbs - way to pretty.

[TLANE]

Copperhead skins look the most realistic when applied to white limbs.  Think about it....when you skin one the flesh is snow white.  I put some skins on a set of the White Knight Bear TD limbs and they really turned out nice.

[NightHawk]

Just remember once skinned it cant be undone. I tried once and had a massive fail.

[NightHawk]

Just remember once skinned it cant be undone. I tried once and had a massive fail.

[Dan Landis]

For what it's worth, you will probably need two skins to do it, the pattern is usually centered on the limbs to give the best look.

[mscampbell75]

I've decided against as I'm scared I will screw them up.  May try putting them on my Iron Mountain...it has light colored limbs.  Would be a much better fit.