Large snake skins? Pics added for Blackhawk.

[Gsulfridge]

My son's middle school football coach raises constrictors and I asked him if he ever loses one to illness or other unfortunate circumstances. He said he did, in fact, from time to time. Yesterday he informed me that he has a 7' boa that is in rapid decline from a mouth injury and told me I could have it if I dispatched it humanely. Does skins from larger snakes make as good of backings as smaller ones?  I assume the skin will be thicker and less pliable. Anyone deal with this?

[Pappy]

Probably depends on the size and snake but the large ones I have skinned and used and fine but more like rawhide and sure don't skin  like a normal Rattler/Chicken or Copper head. I have a 14 foot one now,It will be used on bows that I feel need some protection on the back. 
   Pappy

[blackhawk]

Yup..I've used em on a few bows and there more like rawhide...I usually have to let them soak for at least a half hour before there pliable enough to apply.....so heck yeah...grab that sucka...and when ya go over to pick it up slip a lil bit of arsenic into the other snakes dishes he's got lol ..you should be able to get at least two bows out of that skin..yiu can spkit the skin in half..and then I split em in half lenghtwise down the lateral line then use each half for one bow so the skins match nicely because there patterns can change drastically in 3' sometimes..jus depends on the snake

[blackhawk]

Don't know if ya saw this one I just recently finished last month..but here's what they look like...you can see if you put the skins together side by side the patterns would match up from splitting it in half lengthwise...

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,42101.0.html

[Gsulfridge]

I'm picking it up tonite. I'm not sure of the exact species. He just said it was a boa. Blackhawk,I hadn't seen that post you referred me to. That bow is stunning man! I hope I can make bows when I grow up. 

[4dog]

If its a redtail thats gonna be a thick skin.

[BOWMAN53]

Here is the boa bow I made a month ago. Red tail and spit down the length. I don't care what anyone says, this skin added alot of draw weight.

 http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,41831.0.html

[4dog]

I was thinking of that bow when i posted ,, thats why i did,  bowman

[Gsulfridge]

Well, I now have the boa. It is a red tail of some variety. It's color pattern is well defined, so it should look well on a bow.

[seabass]

if ya. have any scraps left,save them for me Greg.i am gonna make a new holster and could use a little.

[Gsulfridge]

I'll keep ya in mind Seabass.

[Gsulfridge]

Got the snake all skinned out and stretched on a board. Ended up right at 6' long without the head and tail. Pappy, you sure were right about not being the same as other snakes to skin. Wouldn't peel at all. Had to cut it all the way. Can't wait to see it on a bow. Nice patterns.

[blackhawk]

Where's the pics Greg? Ya know we all love seeing a filleted snake around here 

[4dog]

Yeah ,, pics or it didnt happen!!!   

[Gsulfridge]

Sorry guys, no pics of the filleted snake. I can post a pic of the stretched skin on an 8' 2x6. (When I get home)