Python snake skins

[Butternutz]

Python snake skins, where can I get them? I hear Florida is full of them. Lol. I'm wanting to skin my longbow.  Thanks  Don

[m midd]

I believe Pine Hollow had some earlier this year. They are a sponsor here you might check with them

[m midd]

http://www.pinehollowlongbows.com/

[Butternutz]

Thanks I will check it out. Don

[Bjorn]

There is good reason to stick with small young snakes-a big constrictor can be more thick skinned and rob your bow of some performance. Just something to ponder.

[Butternutz]

Never thought of that. Thanks.

[Goshawkin]

Just put carpet Python skins on. On the 3rd coat of Tru oil.The snake was about 7' once fleshed out the skin was no thicker than a dried rattler
   
Here's a "before" pic-
   
one more-
 
the big constictors have a big ridge down the center of their back,you can see it in the last pic,where all the muscle attaches.All snakes have it,but it's very noticeable on the bigger ones. Instead of putting that on the bow,I used strips from the sides. That snake had enough skin for 2 bows and 2 big pieces for leather work projects. If we get one more break of nice weather,I have a nice Peruvian red tail boa to skin out. I should be getting some more snakes in a month or so,but probably won't skin them until spring.

[Blackarrow]

Just out of curiosity, what do you do with the rest of the snake?

[Goshawkin]

Goes into a black garbage bag,then into a pail,then into the garbage.
Do you want them?

[Butternutz]

That is cool. I never put real ones on before just those cloth ones. How do you apply the tru oil?

[captain caveman]

Where are you gettings the snakes?  Pretty cool

[Goshawkin]

I just rub on a coat with my finger.After it dries I rub it down with 0000 steel wool,then rub on another coat of Tru oil. My first time doing it,so we'll see how it comes out,looking good so far.  
Got all the info I needed about drying them,glueing and finishing them by asking on here.Got alot of good suggestions.  

[Butternutz]

Looks good! Nice job  

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by captain caveman:
Where are you gettings the snakes?  Pretty cool

My friend breeds snakes,mostly indigos,but he's friends with alot of other breeders.He's been doing it since the early 80's,and knows quite a few of them. He asked some of them to save any dead loss or snakes they have to put down.They put them in the freezer and he picks them up for me when he visits them. He's working on getting me some venomous species now. He plays around with leather work,so the deal is I just have to give him a small piece of each skin and he gives me the snakes for free.

[captain caveman]

Great set up.  after seeing a special on the invasive snakes in Florida got to thinking would be great source of skins for bows. sounds like you came upon a good situation there I think corn or milk snakes are  beautiful but are good snakes to have around easy to breed I've heard might even be worth raising some for this purpose

[Goshawkin]

I used to have a few pairs of corns,gave them to my buddy. I had Abbott's banded Okeetees and carmel corns. Yes,they are very easy to raise.I wouldn't kill a wild non venomous snake for it's skin,but would have no problem raising some up for it.

[Froggy]

If you come across a Gaboon viper skin, please give me dibs if you aren't gonna use it...

Many thanks,

Froggy

[Butternutz]

My question is would Florida D.N.R let you have them after they put them down? The gaboon viper would look very cool indeed. Saw a long bow once that had cobra skins on it ask the guy where he got them he changed the subject real quik. I just let it go. Guess my appearance scared him a little. My friends sayI look like law Inforcement  lol.

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by Froggy:
If you come across a Gaboon viper skin, please give me dibs if you aren't gonna use it...

Many thanks,

Froggy

Sorry Froggy,but if he comes through with Gaboons,Rhinos,bushmasters,Fer de lances,etc first thing I'm gonna do is have a Thunder Child or Shrew built to put them on. If he does start getting me venomous,I'll post the extra skins for sure.