Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => HowTo's and Build-a-longs => Topic started by: jturkey on April 02, 2011, 09:48:08 pm
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how to dry and perserve a snake skin. i just got bit/struck by a copperhead and plan on taking its hide for a trophy i know how to skin it just need to know how to dry and perseve it for placing it on a bow for my son. or arrow cresting. is it liek drying beaver hides?
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How'd you find yourself getting bit? Your were messing with it weren't ya ;) ;D
Just tack it flesh side out on a board, and let it sit for a bit in a cool dry place. Most skins dry in a day for me, but it may take longer, copperheads are pretty thin so I doubt it. You can lightly dust it with some borax but you don't really need it.
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I had one that the flies wouldn't leave alone so I lightly misted it with bug spray and that took care of it. Here is a link to a thread about snake skins. There is a good picture of a skin tacked down and drying.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,24345.15.html
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No ntd i was setting up a blind for turkey hunting and just happen to look down to see him curled up inthe oak leaves. even with snake boots on i took 30 minutes checking my leg for fang marks no penitration but the boots worked lol
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al right got it streched and pinned out just like a beaver kind of lol. turned out to be 30" long and 4 inches wide at it thickest part.
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That is definately a "trophy" copperhead. Most of the ones I find are 18" to 20" or slightly bigger.
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yeah pat other wise it would still be growing and being good lol
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Fair enough reason to make it a skin, it's amazing how well they can blend in, probably the best camoflaged viper in NA. That is definitely a nice sized copperhead too.
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yeah when one is laying down in some fall oak leaves you can be staring right at him and not see him... They do have some awesome camoflauge. :)