Rattlesnake!

[GreenScoutII]

So, I was on my way to feed the chickens this afternoon and this big bastard scared the hell out of me! I ran back in the house and grabbed my 12 gauge. Remington 870 VS. Rattlesnake, shotgun wins every time. This is the fourth rattler I've shot within 50 yds of my house this year. I never shoot or harm any non-venomous snake, but, I have four kids, so rattlers must die!

Took his head off clean. 2 3/4 shell with #8 shot will do that from 10 feet away. Anybody know how to skin one of these things and preserve the hide?

[Irving]

There is a thread on here about that I think. If not, it is on Silencertalk. I hear it is easier than you would think.

[GreenScoutII]

[Mtn.man]

slit it down the belly don't cut off the rattles.
meat is really good eat'n
place hide on a flat board long enough and wide enough, clamp down and salt with pickling salt not the table stuff....

[pickenup]

slit it down the belly don't cut off the rattles.
meat is really good eat'n
place hide on a flat board long enough and wide enough, clamp down and salt with pickling salt not the table stuff....

Yup, or Borax instead of salt.

[PsyKo]

tag for a dinner pic

i hate them things with a passion, see them occasionally while fly fishing.

[LeJerk]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax#Food_additive

[pickenup]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax#Food_additive

Not quite sure what the connection between Borax, and food additive is.
Unless one plans on eating the skin, after it dries.
But I did see this in the link you provided about Borax.

Other uses....
Curing agent for snake skins.

[LeJerk]

Oops. Nevermind. I thought it was suggested for some sort of cooking.

[Ah Pook]

I still have 4' worth of a 6' rattler skin somewhere. I think it had 10 rattles on the tail.

One of my fondest memories was my Grandmother taking the shotgun to a rattler during lunch. Didn't even phase her.

Do you mean boric acid? That's used to soak the skin in before tanning.