Title: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: YORNOC on January 08, 2012, 07:59:00 PM
Post by: YORNOC on January 08, 2012, 07:59:00 PM
My turn to whine. Man, skinning and fleshing snakes ROTS. Smelly, swill laden, just nasty. Just finished doing two more copperheads and a whopper rattlesnake and I thought most should think this over.
If you love snake skins on bowlimbs, appreciate the misery these guys(myself included I guess, although I TRY to get mine dried) go through to process them. Anyone interested in snake skinned limbs ought to try doing one up at least once to get the idea.
Any backup out there?
After hundreds of them, I still have my stomach turn now and then....like tonight! My wife is a pure city girl...love her beyond belief for puttin up with my hobbies!!!!!!!!!!!
If you love snake skins on bowlimbs, appreciate the misery these guys(myself included I guess, although I TRY to get mine dried) go through to process them. Anyone interested in snake skinned limbs ought to try doing one up at least once to get the idea.
Any backup out there?
After hundreds of them, I still have my stomach turn now and then....like tonight! My wife is a pure city girl...love her beyond belief for puttin up with my hobbies!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: J-dog on January 08, 2012, 08:05:00 PM
Post by: J-dog on January 08, 2012, 08:05:00 PM
Skinned many myself, but not for limbs - taxi usually - they do smell. Then when ya get em skinned ya gotta flesh em.
First one I did was actually to eat rattlesnake - the smell turned me off of eating though I did try, it was decent, I still aint making it a habit. Kinda like eating a goat to me, stinkin animal that I have tried and still something about that smell.
J
First one I did was actually to eat rattlesnake - the smell turned me off of eating though I did try, it was decent, I still aint making it a habit. Kinda like eating a goat to me, stinkin animal that I have tried and still something about that smell.
J
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: YORNOC on January 08, 2012, 08:11:00 PM
Post by: YORNOC on January 08, 2012, 08:11:00 PM
Ha, still have it in my nose now even though I reek of Irish Spring!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: ishiwannabe on January 08, 2012, 08:20:00 PM
Post by: ishiwannabe on January 08, 2012, 08:20:00 PM
Been there done that. I am sure I will again, and I must agree.
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Mike Vines on January 08, 2012, 08:23:00 PM
Post by: Mike Vines on January 08, 2012, 08:23:00 PM
I used to hunt rattlers for beer money, when I lived in New Mexico. That was back in 91/92. Used to bring them back to the barracks (headless), skin them (they went to someone in Las Cruces) then we would get with the cook and have him fry them up for us. Man life was grand back then.
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on January 08, 2012, 08:37:00 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on January 08, 2012, 08:37:00 PM
I believe its illegal here in NY.
Killing and or possessing snakes that are dead! I would have to read the law closer but that's my take on it.
I would try it though just like I would try eating the rattle snake as well.
Killing and or possessing snakes that are dead! I would have to read the law closer but that's my take on it.
I would try it though just like I would try eating the rattle snake as well.
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Lucas K on January 08, 2012, 08:50:00 PM
Post by: Lucas K on January 08, 2012, 08:50:00 PM
I have skinned three, all non-venomous; they just smelled like meat to me?
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Ringneck on January 08, 2012, 08:57:00 PM
Post by: Ringneck on January 08, 2012, 08:57:00 PM
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
No thanks, I'm good!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 08, 2012, 09:07:00 PM
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 08, 2012, 09:07:00 PM
David I did a 9ft boa last year and nothing could compare to it.I have to find the pics.Worst idea I ever had!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Prairie Drifter on January 08, 2012, 09:38:00 PM
Post by: Prairie Drifter on January 08, 2012, 09:38:00 PM
Never thought it was that big a deal, but then I skin smelly things for a living.
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Roadkill on January 08, 2012, 09:48:00 PM
Post by: Roadkill on January 08, 2012, 09:48:00 PM
Snakes have a place and maybe this is nature's way of preserving them. That said, there are some in proximity to humans that need to go. Had copperhead in my living room bite my spaniel as he tried to protect our infant son. He did not make it out alive
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Alvey on January 08, 2012, 09:57:00 PM
Post by: Alvey on January 08, 2012, 09:57:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Roadkill::scared: :eek:
Snakes have a place and maybe this is nature's way of preserving them. That said, there are some in proximity to humans that need to go. Had copperhead in my living room bite my spaniel as he tried to protect our infant son. He did not make it out alive
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: mahantango on January 08, 2012, 11:36:00 PM
Post by: mahantango on January 08, 2012, 11:36:00 PM
Hey Alvin, I didn't know you were a member here! How's the bow building going? (yours and Jim's).
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Bladepeek on January 09, 2012, 07:45:00 AM
Post by: Bladepeek on January 09, 2012, 07:45:00 AM
There have been seveeral instances at knife shows where the feds have made a point about illegal materials. Michigan says you can't kill a snake - period. I'd be real careful here in the mitten state bragging about where I got my snake skins!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: 2treks on January 09, 2012, 07:50:00 AM
Post by: 2treks on January 09, 2012, 07:50:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:That is funny AND well stated. :laughing:
David I did a 9ft boa last year and nothing could compare to it.I have to find the pics.Worst idea I ever had!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: flippnsticks on January 09, 2012, 08:06:00 AM
Post by: flippnsticks on January 09, 2012, 08:06:00 AM
:laughing:
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 09, 2012, 08:28:00 AM
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 09, 2012, 08:28:00 AM
This si a pic of the one I did, wanted to use it for a set of limbs but I couldnt find a bow big enough(paul bunyon didnt shoot archery). Any man that skins snakes is a special person cause it ain't fun in my eyes.
(http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/lpcjon2/skin.jpg)
(http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/lpcjon2/skin.jpg)
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: bornagainbowhunter on January 09, 2012, 08:33:00 AM
Post by: bornagainbowhunter on January 09, 2012, 08:33:00 AM
I have skinned some and you are correct, they stink. They stink bad...real bad.
God Bless,
Nathan
God Bless,
Nathan
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: ber643 on January 09, 2012, 08:52:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on January 09, 2012, 08:52:00 AM
I've "skun" a few (only in deep, dark "locations", where legality isn't a concern, of course :D ). Not toooo bad but some of the same problems as you guys UNTIL I saw an instruction on here (last year) that basically took me back to my (large) Catfish skinning days. Slit the skin around the neck (WAIT - snakes have no neck - or are they all neck - well,anyway ... ) use 2 pliers to grab the skin (in one, and the flesh/bone in the other) and pull skin off like a wet T-shirt. Easiest, fastest, slickest trick I ever had with one. No smell, clean skin, (very little or) no "fleshing" needed. I'll never do it any other way again.
(BTW with real big Catfish I used to nail the head to a tree/ or heavy plank, and use only one pliers. Probably could/would try the same with a larger snake.) After you do ol' sneaky snake (being a little careful around the vent), slit it up (or down) the belly (shears work well), and tack it down to a board to dry (no Borax or anything needed, usually a couple of days or so - preferably OUT OF the sun). Cut off the two side/belly halfs with shears before rolling it to store (easier, flatter, less space, as per Eric Krewson) in ziplock bag.
Do a search in (of all places) the Bowyers Bench forum on snakeskins for further mention of these methods. Neat, neat, neat!
(BTW with real big Catfish I used to nail the head to a tree/ or heavy plank, and use only one pliers. Probably could/would try the same with a larger snake.) After you do ol' sneaky snake (being a little careful around the vent), slit it up (or down) the belly (shears work well), and tack it down to a board to dry (no Borax or anything needed, usually a couple of days or so - preferably OUT OF the sun). Cut off the two side/belly halfs with shears before rolling it to store (easier, flatter, less space, as per Eric Krewson) in ziplock bag.
Do a search in (of all places) the Bowyers Bench forum on snakeskins for further mention of these methods. Neat, neat, neat!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Beanbag on January 09, 2012, 10:44:00 AM
Post by: Beanbag on January 09, 2012, 10:44:00 AM
Years back I used to skin eels by the cut around behind the head and peel with pliers. Worked great other than real slippery. Tried it on a couple of snakes and it worked just as good.Just be careful at the vent and tail. What I found was if you put them in the fridge for a day or two it loosens the skin from the meat and it almost will slide off.
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on January 09, 2012, 11:15:00 AM
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on January 09, 2012, 11:15:00 AM
What I found was if you put them in the fridge for a day or two it loosens the skin from the meat and it almost will slide off.
Oh that would go over well around my place. :biglaugh:
Oh that would go over well around my place. :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Zbearclaw on January 09, 2012, 12:26:00 PM
Post by: Zbearclaw on January 09, 2012, 12:26:00 PM
Yep, freeze them and then pull the skins after they are barely thawed.
No smell really and you can do it when you have a mess of them so it is easier to deal with.
The worst is when the dang things are still moving 2 hours after dead...that is creepy!
No smell really and you can do it when you have a mess of them so it is easier to deal with.
The worst is when the dang things are still moving 2 hours after dead...that is creepy!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Bel007 on January 09, 2012, 12:54:00 PM
Post by: Bel007 on January 09, 2012, 12:54:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ringneck:
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: wtpops on January 09, 2012, 01:25:00 PM
Post by: wtpops on January 09, 2012, 01:25:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by ber643:That is the way i have always done it. I didn't think there was another way?
I've "skun" a few (only in deep, dark "locations", where legality isn't a concern, of course :D ). Not toooo bad but some of the same problems as you guys UNTIL I saw an instruction on here (last year) that basically took me back to my (large) Catfish skinning days. Slit the skin around the neck (WAIT - snakes have no neck - or are they all neck - well,anyway ... ) use 2 pliers to grab the skin (in one, and the flesh/bone in the other) and pull skin off like a wet T-shirt. Easiest, fastest, slickest trick I ever had with one. No smell, clean skin, (very little or) no "fleshing" needed. I'll never do it any other way again.
(BTW with real big Catfish I used to nail the head to a tree/ or heavy plank, and use only one pliers. Probably could/would try the same with a larger snake.) After you do ol' sneaky snake (being a little careful around the vent), slit it up (or down) the belly (shears work well), and tack it down to a board to dry (no Borax or anything needed, usually a couple of days or so - preferably OUT OF the sun). Cut off the two side/belly halfs with shears before rolling it to store (easier, flatter, less space, as per Eric Krewson) in ziplock bag.
Do a search in (of all places) the Bowyers Bench forum on snakeskins for further mention of these methods. Neat, neat, neat!
O Bern just to let you know, the cheer leader pic has surfaced again. Thank you Killdeer i love that pic.
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Thumper Dunker on January 09, 2012, 01:34:00 PM
Post by: Thumper Dunker on January 09, 2012, 01:34:00 PM
Nope not me and Im not going to.
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Beanbag on January 09, 2012, 02:06:00 PM
Post by: Beanbag on January 09, 2012, 02:06:00 PM
LOL!!
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Possum Head on January 09, 2012, 06:27:00 PM
Post by: Possum Head on January 09, 2012, 06:27:00 PM
Just a few for myself and thats enough to know not to let it become a habit! Rabbits are what turn my stomach.
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: ber643 on January 09, 2012, 07:22:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on January 09, 2012, 07:22:00 PM
Yes , wtpops, the sins of our "youth" always come back to haunt us - especially if we have "good friends" - :archer:
I used to skin rabbits by the warren (5 or 10 a day) years back when stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA They never bothered me, hang 'em by the heels and pull the fur off like plucking a chicken. I do recall they had a thin covering over an always stuffed belly that one didn't want to dwell over too long - or rupture - :D .
I used to skin rabbits by the warren (5 or 10 a day) years back when stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA They never bothered me, hang 'em by the heels and pull the fur off like plucking a chicken. I do recall they had a thin covering over an always stuffed belly that one didn't want to dwell over too long - or rupture - :D .
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Adam Keiper on January 09, 2012, 10:17:00 PM
Post by: Adam Keiper on January 09, 2012, 10:17:00 PM
The "real fun" comes when you first put your knife into them after they've been dead a few hours, and they try to wrap themselves around your arm a few times. :eek:
Title: Re: Everyone should skin a snake..at least once!
Post by: Craig Schoneberg on January 10, 2012, 01:40:00 PM
Post by: Craig Schoneberg on January 10, 2012, 01:40:00 PM
Skinned out a 6 + foot rattler years ago in Texas. Had the ranchers 18 year old grandson and his friend watching. Thought the one kid was going to turn himself inside out while watching. I felt the same way with the critter twisting and turning in my hands - unfortunately I had to try to act like it wasn't bothering me at all. They were both impressed that I could do that - Guess I fooled themm, but don't think I slept at all that night . . .