Skinning snakes

[Jodocus]

Got two frozen phytons from a firend. How do I skin them? like a rabbit, from tail to head, I suspect?
One of them is wide enough to back two bows, is it possible to do the cut on one side, leaving the belly side intact?

thanks for any advice

[Knapper]

Jodocus ,
      The answer is yes, the belly can make a nice bow backing as well. Normally I remove the head and start on one side were the belly meets the side. Sharp knife all the way to the tail and pull.
Knapper

[osage outlaw]

If the snake is wide enough I'll cut them one row of scales over from the belly scales.  If its not wide enough to get a backing from the belly scales I'll just unzip them right down the center of the belly.  I use scissors.  I get more control with them over a knife.

[Polar Bear]

Killed a copperhead one day and gave it to a friend I was hunting with.  We went to his sisters house and he started skinning it on the tailgate of his truck.  I went into the house and his niece asked where he was.  I said he was skinning a snake.  Her response was, "Is it dead?"  I told her that I hope so or that was going to be one mad snake.

[dwardo]

Killed a copperhead one day and gave it to a friend I was hunting with.  We went to his sisters house and he started skinning it on the tailgate of his truck.  I went into the house and his niece asked where he was.  I said he was skinning a snake.  Her response was, "Is it dead?"  I told her that I hope so or that was going to be one mad snake.

Brilliant, from the mouths of babes.

[Jodocus]

Thanks guys, the skins are off. That was pretty ugly, they had a bad smell already And labourous, too. The larger one was  about 6 feet, the smaller about 4. The larger one had nice firm skin, pretty thick as well, while the small one had a paper thin fragile skin I unfortunately toreabout a foot below the head.  Both look great. Air dry them now?

[Stringman]

Use tacks and spread them open on a board. Stretch them a little to open them up but not over much. They should be dry in a day.

[Gus]

Exactly what Osage Outlaw and Stringman said...

You can however leave the head on and ad it's length to the skin...
Just takes a little extra work...

Use the tall thumb tacks, they work best, so far.

-gus

[sleek]

Pin the skins up with the meat side facing out or they will rot more. Also, a nice vinegar soak for a day will kill the odor.

[Barefoot_Jake]

when I tan snakes I put the skins in a jar or tub with denatured alcohol and glycerin 50/50 to cover to snakes and let it sit in that for like 3 days then pin it to a board with wax paper and air dry amount of days for them not to be  wet anymore but very pliable and shiny.

[osage outlaw]

I tack mine down and air dry them.  That has worked well for me.  I've never had an odor problem or felt the need to add any chemicals.  Once they are dry I'll take them off the board and hang them up to make sure all the moisture is gone before I roll them up and store them away.

[4dog]

I tack em and then salt em , not table salt, stock salt only...speeds up drying time for me.

[M-P]

I've heard that glycerine tanned hides will not glue down for backing.   Ron

[Lemos]

I'm a fan of the staple gun myself for tacking them down, quicker. IMHO .

[sleek]

Mp, I have bought hides like that. I washed em good in soapy water and glued em down with no problem.