Hey guys,

I have come into possession of a particularly spectacular  timber rattler (obtained legally, of course).  It's in my freezer right now.  I want to have it put on the limbs of one of my bows, and I really don't want this beautiful skin getting screwed up.  What is the best way to tan a snakeskin for use on bow limbs? I did some hides using the old salt and a board method with my dad as a boy, and they weren't really the quality of the skins I've seen as an adult.

Thanks in advance,

Jake

Jake, Drying is the best way to preserve the shin for bow backing.  Tack the skin out on a board, scrape any excess tissue and fat off and let it dry. Once dry cut it off the board roll it up and store it in a dry place until you are ready to glue it down. TiteBond III is a good glue to glue it down to the limbs.

Like Pat said, tack the skin to a board with the flesh side up, I use a staple gun and put the staples through the belly scale portion of the skin.

I use a teaspoon to scrape the skin, pulling the flesh to the the belly scales which you are going to cut off after the skin is dry. There is usually a lot of flesh to remove on a timber skin.

After the skin is fleshed and dry you can cut it loose from the board with a pair of scissors.

Putting salt or borax on the skin is unnecessary and will be one more thing you will have to remove with a lot of washing before you put the skin on your bow.

Okay fellas, just to clarify.  I just need to skin the snake, flesh him out, and let it dry.  No chemicals, or salt at all?  I will also add that Bob Morrison will be the one putting them on my limbs, should I contact him and see how he prefers them?  Sorry for all the questions, I am a very raw newby at this.

Thanks in advance,

Jake

I wash mine in dawn and hot tap water and rinse
Then like they said

What colors are on it?

This one came out of Tennessee

Here is a pic of the snake right before it went into my freezer.  The brilliant yellow tapering to deep black seems to be pretty specific to this region (western NC).  Can't wait to get this on a bow.

Nice colors

In Mississippi they are black and white, not very good looking

No salt or borax just dried. You will end up with this;

I use a different method that has been successful so far.
I pull the skin off, clean off tissue/fat, wash it, roll it up and put in freezer.
When it is time to apply the skin on the bow, I defrost it in water, clean the inside with acetone and glue with wood glue like TB3 or alike.