snapping turtles

snapping turtles

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snapping turtles - 3/10/2008 2:43:34 PM

sugarfuzz12

Posts: 442
Joined: 2/11/2008
Status: offline

i been catching turtles for a couple years now but i can't figure out a way to get the shells cleaned so i can hang them up. i tryed letting them sit outside for the bugs to eat but the shells peeled, and tryed boiling them and they fell apart. don't know if just left them to long? Any sugestions?

Post #: 1

RE: snapping turtles - 3/10/2008 2:49:59 PM

pghmarty

Posts: 5338
Joined: 12/5/2004
From: Bradford Pa then Pittsburgh
Status: online

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/1996/06/50.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNlAdhpxCIw&feature=related

< Message edited by pghmarty -- 3/10/2008 2:51:35 PM >

(in reply to sugarfuzz12)

Post #: 2

RE: snapping turtles - 3/10/2008 7:58:56 PM

2dog

Posts: 946
Status: offline

These might help.
http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/ReptileArticles/02/02A1AECFC1.html
http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/ReptileArticles/06/067B4A029C.html
http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/ReptileArticles/06/0675033A17.html

(in reply to pghmarty)

Post #: 3

RE: snapping turtles - 3/10/2008 11:00:39 PM

mr.crappie

Posts: 984
Joined: 9/5/2002
Status: offline

When I use to still handfish for snappers & wanted to keep the shells,I would cut off the top, then cut the ribs off of the underside of the top shell with side cutters.Then scrape off as much tissue as possible,then I would salt the underside & let sit for a day or two, then scrape off as much as I could then repeat. The tissue will dry & peel off . I guess that borax will work, but never used it.Scrub the top of the shell to get off the dirt & moss,then I used clear shellac on both sides.That will stop the shell from peeling. Some guys scald the turtle before cleaning it to help make it easier to take the skin off & to kill any leeches that may be on it. This will cause the outer covering to peel off, but if you dont leave it in the water too long the shell won't come apart.I have finished them both ways. sam

(in reply to sugarfuzz12)

Post #: 4

RE: snapping turtles - 3/10/2008 11:29:10 PM

FLATFISH4F

Posts: 1408
Joined: 11/28/2000
Status: offline

My dad caught many of turtles in his day, he would get the shell go in the woods. Then he would find a nice size ant hole kick the mound to open it up and set the shell beside it. he would come back in a couple of weeks and it was clean with all the meat taken off of it

(in reply to mr.crappie)

Post #: 5

RE: snapping turtles - 3/13/2008 7:44:19 PM

mgp629

Posts: 264
Joined: 10/1/2003
Status: offline

The ant hill method is good.

(in reply to FLATFISH4F)

Post #: 6

RE: snapping turtles - 3/13/2008 9:12:50 PM

porter64

Posts: 140
Joined: 4/8/2007
Status: offline

Good idea! But what about coons and opossums?