ctafoya Report post Posted April 29, 2012 I have always wanted to get a rattlesnake done. Anyone had one done before? I have skined lots of em but never though about getting one mounted. Just curios what i would need to do for prep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted May 4, 2012 I have always just heard of guys catching them live and either drowning or freezing them to avoid damaging it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted May 4, 2012 Be careful with freezing them, it takes longer than you might think. It is amazing to see a snake that appeared to be frozen solid over night, and as it thaws out it begins to move. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted May 4, 2012 Be careful with freezing them, it takes longer than you might think. It is amazing to see a snake that appeared to be frozen solid over night, and as it thaws out it begins to move. You never could have convinced me of this had I not seen it first hand. Weird, crazy stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ctafoya Report post Posted May 5, 2012 I used to freeze a lot of em when i was younger when i didn't have time to skin em right away. It is scary when they start to thaw. I never left one out long enough to see if it would totaly come back though. I would like to do a big one but i don't want to waste the meat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted May 5, 2012 Just reading this thread gave me the heebie jeebies! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Tub Report post Posted May 5, 2012 You don't want to mess with the head anyway unless you are male, a drinker, and tatooed! Shoot the head off or use a shovel. The best way I have seen to prepare them is to sock the skin out backwards starting at the head, plug the vent hole and fill it inside out with clean sand. Then you can flesh it out and treat it with 50/50 glycerin/alcohol to preserve it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted May 5, 2012 I now have a strong desire to go grab a snake and freeze it, just so I can watch it thaw. I am male, I do not drink and am ink free. But I get what you are saying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoghntr Report post Posted May 6, 2012 Exhaust works gr8 just dont melt the head as i did last time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIG GD Report post Posted May 20, 2012 I will have to try the freezing part Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted May 21, 2012 Cool Topic. I have never considered doing anything with reptiles execpt for avoiding the rattlesnakes while hunting! Looked up the regs and feel more informed! Has anyone killed a rattlesnake and eaten it? Below are the regs for reptiles. http://www.azgfd.gov...leAmphibian.pdf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted May 23, 2012 I have eaten it. We just peeled the skin back, pushed the guts out like a fish and threw the whole thing on the grill. It tasted fine, but its kind of a lot of work for not much of a meal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted May 23, 2012 Cool! I cannot say that I am eager to get close to a pissed off rattlesnake but if I do, I may just wack it on the head and though it on the grill! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted May 24, 2012 Sometimes I just hit them with rocks. Last year I whacked one with a rock but didn't kill it and it went down a hole. When I reached for a stick to get him with there was a second one under the branch I had lifted up. Once that one started buzzing and getting severely agitated I decided it might be be best to just get out of dodge. Those suckers get irritated in a hurry. Especially when you hot them with a rock. I have since decided a trecking pole is perfect for dealing with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites