Turtle shell shooting bags?

[aprayinbear]

Hey Fellas,

I just came back from a pow wow today and saw someone walking around with a beautiful turtle shell bag. I thought it would make a great shooting bag. In fact I vaguely remember seeing one online somewhere if my memory serves me.

Have any of you ever tried it? If so, how did you put it together? Maybe a few pics?

What do you think? :hmm:

 

[Supercracker]

In the German Jaeger book they show a really really nice flask made from a small turtle shell.

 

[mrbortlein]

prayinbear,
You may want to check with your local park system about the state laws of using turtle shells. Same goes for any state that you camp in. Worst thing to happen is do all of that work and have the DNR take it.
mrbortlein

 

[Cutfingers]

Last year I made and sold one on eBay for,I think, around $45.00. A lot of work, but real nice to carry and very unique. Still have one shell left, but no pictures of the one I sold.

 

[Many Klatch]

I made a couple of them. Reckon raccoons ate the soft part and left the shells for me. I found that if you have the fingernail thin shell on over the bone you will need to heat a paperclip to red hot and burn through to the bone before you drill the bone, otherwise the thin shell will split.

I hand carved a bottom since all I had was the top shell. Drilled holes through both and tied it on with linen thread. You can come up with all kinds of ways to close it off at the neck.

A lot of states now protect turtles. I got lucky and was able to grandfather a permit from my state to enable me to own a turtle shell. I don't carry it anymore just because I don't want to deal with the possum cops if they happen to see the shell and I don't have the paperwork with me.

Many Klatch

 

[mazo kid]

I think (if you are able to possess a shell) that it would be noisy if used as a shooting bag. Also it might be hard to get your hand into it. The ones I have seen were fairly small, maybe the size of your hand, closed off at the bottom with leather and hinged with a leather flap on top, tied off on a belt. I know some turtles are protected here but will have to check to see for sure. I have a small shell about the size I described and have been considering making a small "bag" out of it.