Thanks, Robert. I agree, it's pretty weird, and it does look like a snake. One of my friends suggested I not leave it lying around on the ground at antelope camp, lest it get blown away or chopped with a shovel.
Those skins really made that bow POP! But as much as I love the look, I really have a fondness for the species, so I don't molest them. I have to settle for roadkills or trades.
Thanks, guys. When crooked wood's what you have, crooked wood is what you use! If I ever get hold of a straight piece I'm not going to know what to do with myself.
That reminds me of someone that long ago stopped posting here, George Stoneberg from down Texas way. That fool spent more time and effort on staves that wouldn't even BURN STRAIGHT and turned out some crazy character bows in the doing. As I got to know him I found out why he was always working with bottom of the barrel staves....he was giving away all the good stuff! Good ol' George, big hearted feller.
I tend to agree about bull snakes. As snakes go, I really like them. But then I kind of like rattlesnakes, too. But wow, those bull snake skins make good bow backings. Fortunately they're smart enough, and camouflaged enough, that one doesn't get a crack at them very often. I think I've killed three of them in my life, and probably let a few more than that go their way.
Love the story about George. I wish excessive generosity were my problem, instead of a simple lack of good wood.
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