I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???

[backwoodsguy]

Twenty or thirty years ago my hobby was snakes, not primitive bows. Someone gave me a live python (like the ones now taking over the Everglades in Florida). As near as I can remember, it was around nine feet long and had become a real liability so I dispatched it instead of letting it loose to mess up the environment. I salted it down and put it in the refrigerator until today. I've made up a salt solution to rehydrate it, then plan on rinsing the salt out after it gets soft. The question is "will it still be usable as a backing for a bow?". Any ideas???

[Hamish]

Don't see why it wouldn't work. I guess you'll have to thaw it out and try it.

[PatM]

I think you need to clean your fridge more often.

[Hamish]

Check the use by date on the snake:)

[DC]

You don't really say if it's just the skin or if the whole snake has been in there for twenty years

[bradsmith2010]

it wont be a backing,, it will only serve as decoration,, you could put it over sinew or rawhide backing,, it should be enough for several bows,,

[Pat B]

I would thaw it out, remove the salt with repeated soaking and rinsing then evaluate what you have. It may be just fine if not too freezer burnt.

[Hawkdancer]

Only 20 years!  Shucks, I got a cow hide been in the freezer, at least 25 years!  I hope to make rawhide with it after we get moved!  Good luck with the snake skin!
Hawkdancer