Texas Rattle Snake Skins?

[lonestar tactical]

Hello all.

As some of you know I make holsters. I recently got bit by the exotic bug - have posted pics of my work recently done in elephant for a 1911, and shark for a G30 - and would like to try something I dreamed about as a young boyscout earning merit badges - working with rattle snake skin. I am thinking of using as an inlay but knowing some of my clients I am sure someone will want an entire holster made with it so whole skins would work best.

I am trying to find a small texas rattle snake farmer type outfit to buy texas rattle snake skins. I have searched on line and also tried to contact some of those snake wrangler people we see on the rattle snake round up shows on discovery. no call backs.

The skins that they sell on ebay are very high for some questionable quality. Anyone care to share a resource or point me in the right direction?

Thanks for any assistance.

[WinterBear]

I haven't purchased any rattlesnake, so I don't know a thing about what I should be looking for as far as permits, quality, pricing, etc. Depending on what your state's game laws are regarding wildlife imports from other states--California and Oregon forbid the sale of rattlesnake, for instance..

Here's a Texas source:

http://www.chichesterinc.com/RattlesnakeSkins.htm

Do they have to be Texas hides? You might try contacting Moscow Hide and Fur. I have heard really good things about Moscow Hide and Fur on LW about them:

http://hideandfur.com/inventory/5540.html

These guys also have skins--have no clue how reliable they are or if their product is good.

http://www.alabamarattlesnakes.com/index.html

http://www.clawantlerhide.com/no-frames/fursskins.htm

http://genuineostrichhides.com/5-traditional-rattle-snake-strip5.html

[lonestar tactical]

I haven't purchased any rattlesnake, so I don't know a thing about what I should be looking for as far as permits, quality, pricing, etc. Depending on what your state's game laws are regarding wildlife imports from other states--California and Oregon forbid the sale of rattlesnake, for instance..

Here's a Texas source:

http://www.chicheste...esnakeSkins.htm

Do they have to be Texas hides? You might try contacting Moscow Hide and Fur. I have heard really good things about Moscow Hide and Fur on LW about them:

http://hideandfur.co...ntory/5540.html

These guys also have skins--have no clue how reliable they are or if their product is good.

http://www.alabamara....com/index.html

http://www.clawantle...s/fursskins.htm

http://genuineostric...ake-strip5.html

Thanks for the leads. I am going to give them a call this morning.

Didnt think it would be so difficult to find a smaller outfit to support in Texas. Looks like I may have to go with whoever wherever lol.

Thanks and will let you know how it goes. Heck I may end up making a trip to our land in El Paso and hunt for them myself lol

[WinterBear]

I think the smaller guys might be selling to the larger? Anyway, good luck finding a source.