I am already planning next spring/summer's bow fishing expeditions. While removing an invasive is a noble end in itself, and I have no ethical problem with killing carp and leaving them for the raccoons, I might start trying to use what's usable from these critters: The skins are said to make decent leather and good bow backings (I bet they make great drum heads, too), and I keep hearing the meat is good if one removes the "mud vein" along the lateral line. I guess it just goes against my grain to kill something this big--they really are amazing animals in their way--and leave it to rot.
So, I thought some of you might find this interesting. Check out this guy's knife work. Wow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bSBmjGSeaI&feature=emb_logoIf I were to keep the skins for bow backings, could I take them off in two pieces like this guy does, or would it be better to take them off all in one piece? Also, for backings, you want rawhide, not tanned skins, correct?
