Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: CowboyCS on September 01, 2008, 02:25:09 PM

Title: Turtle shell Question?
Post by: CowboyCS on September 01, 2008, 02:25:09 PM

My sons catch turtles sometimes when they are down fishing close to our property, I only let them bring them home when they are basketball size or bigger because they are a lot of work to get the meat out of. Good eating by the way....mmmmmm.
Usually what they catch are soft shells so I just throw the shell away, but yesterday my oldest brought home a Hardshell:
(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj75/cstolzer338/Odds%20and%20ends/SnappingTurtle.jpg)
My question is does anybody have any craft Ideas for using the shell, like making a bag or something out of it. It's about 12 inches long and maybe 8 or so inches wide and maybe 3 inches deep at the center. I'll know for sure when I part him from his shell.
So help me out and give me some ideas about what to make out of it and try to include a website with pictures or instructions if you can.
Google didn't help me much.

Thanks in advance.
C

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Post by: Bioprof on September 01, 2008, 10:27:28 PM

I've seen some turkey calls made out of turtle shells.   There is a forum with a thread that discusses them.   You might be able to get some ideas from it, but you may have to register for the forum.   http://www.customcalls.com/cgi-bin/yabb ... turtle_brd (http://www.customcalls.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=turkeyturtle_brd)

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Post by: CowboyCS on September 01, 2008, 10:40:59 PM

Thanks for the link, that's a pretty neat idea, I'm not a bird hunter never has been my thing, but those are some pretty cool turkey calls. I'd have never thought of using it for that. I'll have to keep that in mind.
I'm still looking for ideas, anyone is welcome to chime in.

Thanks

C

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Post by: CowboyCS on September 01, 2008, 10:45:12 PM

I was just thinking I should probably add the Kansas regulation, cause I know some state don't let you catch any turtles.

KDWP Regs say:
TURTLES

Common snapping turtles and soft-shelled turtles may be taken year-round. Daily creel limit is eight, single species or in combination. Possession limit is three creel limits. A valid fishing license is required (unless exempt). Legal equipment: hand, hook and line, setline, hand dip net, seine, turtle trap, or gig.

Just so you don't think I'm doing anything "Fishy".

C

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Post by: rollingb on September 02, 2008, 12:44:04 AM

I've seen some folks walking around various rondies with "belt bags" made of turtle shell, but I've never looked at them closely, or, asked the particulars regarding how to make them.

I've also seen "rattles" made from smaller turtles.

Sorry. I'm not much help.

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Post by: trent/OH on September 02, 2008, 10:57:49 PM

That turtle shell would make a very nice pouch once you get the moss and barnacles off of it (and get the turtle to vacate his premises). The one or two I've made were pretty basic once you just have the shell to work with. The shell, a piece of leather, and the strap material are all you really need. Cut the leather to shape and size to cover the perimeter of the shell, plus some overlap for the flap on the top, punch or drill corresponding holes , and lace the leather and the shell together. However many lacings you think you need, you'll actually want about twice as many.I don't remember how I put the strap on, and the last one I made is two states away. You may want some doo-dad on the end of the flap, just to give it a bit of weight to help keep it closed. Be real careful so you don't leave sharp pieces of bone on the inside of the shell which would cut you when you hastily put a hand in or out of the pouch. You do NOT want an infection from a turtle shell.
I used to take a slaughtered turtle or two to Friendship to give to the guys and gals at the pistol line, in appreciation for making me feel welcome at Friendship. Nobody ever said "No thanks" to free turtle meat!
Oh yeah, the feet make great back scratchers when mounted on a stick or dowel rod. I've yet to figure out anything crafty to do with the plastron.

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Post by: CowboyCS on September 02, 2008, 11:09:04 PM

Thanks for the responses. The bag idea was what I was interested in, Trent thanks for the description of how it's done, I think I might be able to manage that, if that's all there is to it. I thought there might me some kind of lining and fancy way of attaching the leather and strap. But that sounds simple enough.

The back scratcher idea is pretty good too.

C

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Post by: Captchee on September 03, 2008, 10:13:58 AM

i have mad a couple shell  ball bags , they work real nice

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Post by: melsdad on September 04, 2008, 10:43:42 PM

Now you have sparked my interest. I have never seen a bag made from a turtle shell. Be sure to post some pic's when you get one made.

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Post by: CowboyCS on September 04, 2008, 10:46:16 PM

Will do. He's currently on deathwatch tonight, for tomorrow he gets beheaded.

C

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Post by: jasontn on September 05, 2008, 08:03:24 PM

i have seen several turtle bags and liked most all of them. one had a hinged top made from the turtles own front end. just be sure and check the game laws, for your area and any you want to travel in as well. heard a few horror stories about folks gettin nailed over feathers, shells and bones and stuff over the years.

Title: re: turtle shell
Post by: m_bobey on September 10, 2008, 06:07:23 PM

Hi Cowboy CS! I have a possibles bag made out of a turtle shell. It has buckskin sewn over the back long enough to make a flap over the front, beadwork, fringe, a braded straps and fringe on the bottom, looks good with my full lenght coyote hat. It looks like they just drilled holes in the shell, and sewed the buckskin to it.The shell is about 8.5 inches by 10.5inches. I'll see if i have a picture to post of it.

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Post by: CowboyCS on September 11, 2008, 04:05:59 AM

Thank you I'd appreciate the pictures.
Next question, I have the shell cleaned out as good as I can get, how do I get the meat out from under the back bone area, the space between the bone and the shell down the center?
Can I boil it without damaging the shell?
Once I have it all cleaned up should I line the inside before stitching the leather to it, and if so how do I do that glue wool in or what?

C

Title: Re: turtle shell
Post by: m_bobey on September 12, 2008, 06:42:54 PM

Hi Cowboy CS I think you just boil the shell to get the meat out, i bought my shell bag already made into a possibles bag.(http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq127/m_bobey/familypics580.jpg) Heres a picture of my shell bag.

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Post by: Spotted Bull on September 12, 2008, 06:54:44 PM

The wife just walked by and said "I need one of those."

So I guess I'm going turtle hunting.......

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Post by: Captchee on September 12, 2008, 07:05:03 PM

the ones i used to make were much smaller .
 thy made great ball bags . .
 i would make a small leather bag that would fit inside the shell .
 then cut  a short section of the  front half of the breast plate off . about even whith here the  front legs come out .
 i drilled 3  holes across that section and thre matching holes in the belly plate .  using strips of leather i would tie the front  section back on to the belly plate so as it made a door .
 then taking a smaller drill , i drill holls around the  edge of the shell and that door . basicly sewing the back onto the shell .
 now what happens with that section hindged  is that when you load the bag with lead balls , it pulls the  door closed . but when you tip it , the door opens to let the balls fall out

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Post by: Spotted Bull on September 12, 2008, 07:14:50 PM

that's pretty ingenious.....I'd like to see ona them

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Post by: Captchee on September 12, 2008, 08:04:29 PM

not sure i still have one around RB . i would put them on the shoot blankets

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Post by: Spotted Bull on September 12, 2008, 08:42:53 PM

cool...maybe I can make one...gotta find a turtle lookin to sell out first.....

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Post by: Captchee on September 12, 2008, 08:51:19 PM

legal shells can be purchase at most  places that buy and sell furs .
 these come from mainly  places that raise make turtles for  soups  and such .
 At Pow Wows I normal can pick them up  cleaned and boiled for 2-5 bucks for one  about 6 inches across and 6 inches long . Not just the half shell but the  whole shell with breast plate still attached .
unlike the big snapper shells which normaly have no breast  plate


Many times the outer skin of the shell is still on and the colors are  hazy . Pealing the shell brings the colors right back out

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Post by: Spotted Bull on September 12, 2008, 08:59:34 PM

definitely gonna be lookin for some to work with.

Thanks a bunch.

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Post by: jasontn on September 13, 2008, 11:40:40 PM

i used to find some shells along fence rows at my mommas. the turtles would get stuck in the bottom of the wire and sometimes thered be some good shells there. you may also ask your local pond owners if theyd let you trap or fish for them to get them out of the ponds. round here they arent much wanted in fishing ponds.

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Post by: Spotted Bull on September 14, 2008, 05:17:43 AM

Thanks Jason................gotta little pond down the road

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Post by: tg on September 14, 2008, 08:22:18 PM

Check with your local taxidermist there is a powdered agent that can be put in with shells and deer heads and such tha aids in the dissolving/removal of the flesh, it takes a lot less time with this stuff, I cannot recall the name it has been a decade since I used it, it should be available from a taxidermist or taxidermy supply house, they use it to hurry the process of cleanig the skulls on animals they are goind to do Euro mounts on.

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Post by: Spotted Bull on September 14, 2008, 09:45:43 PM

cool.......got one down the road apiece

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Post by: jbullard1 on September 16, 2008, 04:23:41 PM

I have this shell if anyone is interested in it for a project
I'm not sure exactly what it is, terrapin I think but it has been picked clean inside and out by insects. I found it close to a pond last fall already cleaned out
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Acoutraments/Picture008.jpg)
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Acoutraments/Picture009.jpg)
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Acoutraments/Picture010.jpg)
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Acoutraments/Picture011.jpg)

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Post by: Spotted Bull on September 16, 2008, 05:56:20 PM

whatcha want fer it Jerry?

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Post by: jbullard1 on September 16, 2008, 06:05:42 PM

I want 6 pounds of nothing and cup full of sailboat fuel
You want it?

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Post by: Spotted Bull on September 17, 2008, 06:18:24 AM

you bet.....need my addy again?

Title: Turtle shell Question?
Post by: IronDawg on January 22, 2009, 08:09:34 PM

Cowboy,

Thats an american snapping turtle. I fish for em around here during the summer (ol summer time kick back from growing up in Louisiana) Unlike Jerrys streaked head turtle shell you just can't clean out a snappers shell and it be OK.

They're shells are sort of like a gators skull. Lotsa pieces jammed together like a jigsaw puzzle. Only thing is there's alot of cartilage and even some muscle fibers running through and beneath the scales that make up a turtle shell.

In other words......... a snappers shell will fall to pieces and need to be reglued back together.

I think there's some sort of professional method in curing them that keeps this from happening. But everyone I've ever boiled (takes a BIG POT!) or cleaned and left out to dry, has just fell to pieces.

BTW thats some extremely delicate and good eatin you got there as well.

(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z285/lancecoleman/bigturtle.jpg)

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Post by: CowboyCS on January 23, 2009, 11:05:46 AM

He was very good eating. Those are some cool pics, we don't intentionally fish for them, but we do keep them when we catch them. My wife makes a very tasty stew of of them.

C

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Post by: IronDawg on January 23, 2009, 06:31:04 PM

Boy you should intentionally fish for em. I started catchin em outa that lil lake 4 years ago.

4 yrs ago the biggest catfish I could catch out of there was a couple pounds and a good haul was 6 fish.

Since I started catching the big turtles out?? Last summer I caught an 8# cat out of it and an average catch is 20 fish.

Good luck with your project!! I would love to see some finished pics.

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Post by: Spotted Bull on April 07, 2009, 09:45:28 PM

Well, I finally got me a couple bags of turtle shells a feller trapped out of his stock tank, maybe 10 or 15.  Trouble is they are not completely cleaned out and the aroma is MOST HORRID!  I read back through here and no one ever said if I can boil the left-over inhabitant out of the shell and not ruin the shell.  Does anyone know?  Otherwise I can just experiment.

The guy said there is one more the size of a turkey platter that the ants are still working on!  Can't wait to get that one!