Rattle snake skin mount x-post

Also posted in taxidermy section

My father in law shot this guy Sunday evening, looking for some good DIY options of how to mount the skin to show at the ranch place. I have removed the skin from the board and am soaking in salt water now, will place on another board with pins and borax to dry tonight.

Show me some pics of cool things you have done with your rattle snake skin

Really should mix a 50/50 solution of iso alcohol and glycerin and put in fridge for 3 days lightly rolled up. (After fleshing the meat off) Stir a bit everyday. Take it out and rinse then rub a little glycerin lightly on it and you get a nice pliable leather skin to work with.
I use them for hat bands, knife sheath coverings, longbow limbs etc....

What kind or Rattlesnake is that?

timber rattler from southern OK

This is from the TPWD website: "Today, every state inhabited by timber rattlesnakes has laws protecting the species, including Texas. In Texas, it is listed as a threatened species. This means that people cannot take, transport, have in their possession or sell timber rattlesnakes."

I looked, and they do not appear to be protected in Oklahoma, contrary to what is on the TPWD website. However, since it is protected in Texas, you cannot possess one here. Be sure that thing stays in OK.

BTW - Cool looking skin.

That is what I thought it looked like. You may have visitors soon. Like Big_Ag said it needs to stay in OK. Nice skin though.

They are not protected in Oklahoma (nor any other indigenous Rattler there) BUT...there is a hunting season for them (May 1st thru June 30th) and one must possess a valid hunting license or permit to take them (no daily bag limit).

There is a nuisance provision (as with most States) but in that event....you typically aren't allowed to possess the resource.

http://www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/hunting/reptile-amphibian-regulations/

IF the hide were transported across State lines....it would probably violate the Lacey Act.

Just so we are clear on this, the picture was taken in my barn/house, right outside of which this snake was shot by someone other than myself, and I simply didn't want to waste such a pretty skin. The barn is in Oklahoma,, where the snake was shot being a nuisance to kids, people, and dogs which all play around said barn house. I am the landowner of the land where this snake was shot, so legally I believe I am in the right.

Sooooo, does anyone have any cool pictures of things they have done to display a pretty snake skin?

I have made a few pens using rattlesnake skins that have ben cast in .
Here is some ones website showing one of their pens https://www.texascrazy.com/product/texas-hunter-rattlesnake-pen/

We also had 2 skins nailed on a piece of old barn wood on the wall at the cabin.

Good to hear, no one wanted to see you get in any trouble is all.
You might find a pretty piece of cedar to mount it on, or mesquite. Our rattler skins are all rolled up on a shelf right now. Been thinking of mounting them on wood for a display.
Be interested to see what you do with it.

I wish I had a picture of one my dad and I mounted years ago ... 6'7" long with 19 rattlers & a button.

we skinned and cleaned really well of all the meat.salted really good for a few days, then into a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol & glycerin for a while longer. (don't recall how long). we took 2x 1x8 #1 pine boards and connected together on the back in 3 locations with a 1x2. We took a propane torch and lightly burned the face of the boards, then wiped them down with a soft cloth to really make the wood grain pop, then we applied a coat (or several) of a matte finish lacquer. We then stretched the skin along the boards and centered. We used brass upholstery tacks to stretch fairly tight and it came out looking great.

One possible fly in the ointment 'might' be possession of the resource killed as a 'nuisance'. I don't know Oklahoma law concerning that, but in many States that would be illegal as well. Not trying to labor the point, just suggesting you might look into it. I suppose Oklahoma Fish and Game officers have some 'discretion' about such things in any case.

Beautiful Skin. Worthy of display for sure.

this IS the correct way to do snake skins

Never killed one big enough, but always wanted to do a spiral around a lamp shade of the correct diameter and height...