Big Diamondback Dilemma

[Stumpknocker]

Finally came up with a skin for my Dakota, but I am concerned that the snake is just too big for the bow.  My first inclination is that using this skin on such narrow limbs would be a waste of such a nice snake.  Perhaps there are better uses for such a wide skin.  Any opinions from some experienced bow skinners?  Snake was 5'6" prior to skinning out. TgE







Wouldn't have shot him, but he was in town and was going to be killed and thrown off in the woods.  Figured I would at least make use of the skin and not waste such a pretty hide.

[J-dog]

looks to big to me? might save him for later?

J

[Lost Arra]

Wow!

Looks too big for those limbs.

Have you considered backing some canoe paddles?    

I'm betting the leather folks could chime in on using it on a back quiver.  Or maybe the tailgate of a truck.

[vermonster13]

Buy three or four more bows and do them all. Then when you stand them up beside each other you'll see the whole skin again. Sounds like a good justification for more bows to me.    

[Pat B]

Unfortunately large Eastern Diamondbacks don't make good backings because you loose most of the diamond pattern on a narrow limbed bow and it has very pronounced scale scars that leave a rough surface.
  It looks like you could trim the lighter sides between the belly scales and back for an interesting backing. Those scales are flatter too.     Pat

[Benny Nganabbarru]

It might just look good on the wall as is, mounted nicely on a piece of board.

[bbassi]

I bet someone on here would trade you two smaller ones for that one. It's too wide for your limbs. You'll loose all the pattern. BTW - my experience with large cane breaks is that the scales are so large that the skin doesn't want to lay down well. Give Mike Yancy at Pine Hollow a call. He might be willing to work with you. I've gotten several skins from him and am always pleased with what I receive.

[Whip]

I agree - by the time you cut it down to fit your limbs you wouldn't see much of the beautiful pattern.  I like Ben's idea - mount it on a display board.  That is one impressive hide!  

[hunt it]

Bob will tell you that those big ones are no good for a skin job. The skin is too thick for a good job. Four foot maximum size, three footer best according to Bob. Been there tried that.

[MikeW]

I'd use it for knife sheaths or possibility bag,trimming on a quiver.

[Eric Krewson]

Sell it on the auction site and by a better matched set from Pine Hollow. The big skins bring big bucks when auctioned.

A friend sent me two beautiful 6' skins like yours but I just couldn't find a way to fit them on a bow so I sent them back.

[PrarrieDog]

I think your bow is too pretty to cover up.

[david_lewis93]

You might make you a belt or two and maybe a couple of hat bands Pair of boots?

[Izzy]

Make a quiver with it.

[Mick]

Boots!  May be two pairs.  :D  
Mick

[tradwannabe]

I realy like the quiver idea stated above. That would be very cool.