Gar skin

[Morgan]

Ok, I’ve done a search of the site and can find nothing definitive. Can gar skin be used as bow backing? Paddled a creek yesterday to sight fish for carp but they wouldn’t bite. The longnose gar were in thick many over 5’. I’ve cleaned hundreds of these fish that I’ve shot for the table. The skin is hard and stiff. Can’t imagine the outside “scales” coming off, so I’m wondering if it can be put in a bow back with no ill consequence? Would love to hear from someone who has tried.

[upstatenybowyer]

Never tried them myself, but there's no reason you shouldn't. Let us know how they work. 

[osage outlaw]

I've never held a gar in person but I would think that the tough skin and the thick scales would add weight to the limbs and hurt performance. 

[GlisGlis]

Looks like it's tough stuff
googled gar skins and the results show nice knife sheats and boots
for bow it's maybe on the heavy side but i'd try it

[Morgan]

Does anyone know if you can remove the hard exterior scales from the skin? I’ve never tried, but the ones I’ve cleaned it sure seems to be connected to stay.

[Springbuck]

Morgan, I don't know anybody who has done this, but I remember discussion about this from years ago on the "stickbow.com" forum.

  The general idea I remember was just that......the skin is tough and stiff enough, but gar scales are large, thick, and bony, and are partially imbedded in the skin itself making them very hard to remove.   I'm sure there is a way, but how to, without damaging the skin itself, I don't know.

[Ryan Jacob]

Morgan, I don't know anybody who has done this, but I remember discussion about this from years ago on the "stickbow.com" forum.

  The general idea I remember was just that......the skin is tough and stiff enough, but gar scales are large, thick, and bony, and are partially imbedded in the skin itself making them very hard to remove.   I'm sure there is a way, but how to, without damaging the skin itself, I don't know.

You’re gonna need a surgeon at this rate

[Morgan]

Everything I can find about prepping them for leather goods is with the scales on. I’m going to try it and see what comes. I’d like to get a spotted gar long enough as they have a pretty pattern, but I’m probably going to be stuck with the more plain longnose as I’ve never seen a spotted gar long enough. I’ll take tater to a little creek close to the house that’s loaded with spotted and shortnose gar. If he can catch one, I’ll put it on a bow back for him as an experiment.

[Springbuck]

  You know what would be badder than bad?  Find a nice big fish, skin it whole from the head back, including some fins, and make a QUIVER with the scales on!  An armored quiver!

  Maybe a cool scaled handle wrap? 

[Morgan]

  You know what would be badder than bad?  Find a nice big fish, skin it whole from the head back, including some fins, and make a QUIVER with the scales on!  An armored quiver!

  Maybe a cool scaled handle wrap?

Already had the quiver in mind bud. The gar that are usually in the little creek down the road weren’t there today. I’ll take a trip to pryor creek Wednesday and get em for sure.

[ajooter]

You could always accent the non working parts of the bow with the skin.  I think fish skins are really cool on a bow.

[osage outlaw]

A gar quiver would be cool.  Especially if you could incorporate the skull somehow.

[Mounter]

IM Not sure about post links to other sites, but there was a build along on another archery site

[M2A]

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.   

[GlisGlis]

take pictures
many piuctures