First rattlesnake

[aero]

Getting ready to try first rattler. Tips, vidoes, tools, etc. that you guys would recommend.

Thanks!

[Alicia L]

http://www.hidetanning.net/SnakeSkinningIllustrated.html
http://www.hidetanning.net/RattlesnakeMounting.html

Check those 2 places out.  They helped me a lot!  Print out some reference pictures off of taxi.net, and read in the archives on here.  Check out other people's snake mounts, and read the critiques that went along with them.  Then you will know what to watch out for.  That is everything I did.  If you have any questions, there are some really knowledgeable guys on here that can help you out...  Good luck and have fun!  Oh, and get you a fish scraper and tiny scissors (to flesh the snake with... )

[aero]

Thanks for the tips. I have never used fine sawdust/vermiculite for mounting. I wonder if it can be purchased locally.

[aero]

Is it feasible to use a fish tan, or d/a for a snake skin that will be mounted?

[Alicia L]

You can always use a commercial form, instead of sawdust.  That is what I did, but those two places give you a good idea how to skin the snake, and other processes involved with snakes...  I think you would be better off buying snake/reptile tan, also.  I'm pretty sure I have read that if you dp, you may lose color on your snake.  I don't know about the fish tan...