These types of snakes were imported into the state by order of lovers of unusual pets; according to official figures, more than 100 thousand snakes have been delivered to Florida over the past 15 years.
Pythons have an excellent appetite and grow quite quickly. They reach a length of 20 feet and can weigh more than 220 pounds.
Owners often start to be afraid of their pets and release them into the wild.
In a hot and humid climate, these reptiles quickly multiplied and began to exterminate other animals and birds in search of food.
To save the unique fauna, the Wildlife Conservation Authority decided to hunt giant snakes.
In addition to all this, the python tends to show aggressiveness with age and does not observe subordination in relation to its “owners”, seeing them as its prey.
And, accordingly, cases of attacks by “tame” pythons on people with subsequent bites have become more frequent.
Can Anyone Hunt Pythons in Florida?
Yes, because a python extermination program has been in place in Florida since 2017.
Having been expelled from the comfortable dwelling of a person, the Burmese python went to explore the humid spaces of the ever-warm Florida, where, not meeting its natural enemies in Asia, it bred in insane numbers.
Possessing many positive qualities for survival, the python can freely and quickly move through trees, travel through swamps, and stay underwater for a long time.
And this led to the fact that the local fauna rapidly declined, and where a person tries to prevent the invasion of an invasive species, a battle takes place from which the crown of nature comes out injured.
According to rough estimates, due to the antics of the python, 99% of the raccoon population, 98% of opossums, and 87% of lynxes have already been destroyed.
Even toothy alligators are now among the victims of the intrigues of snakes.
The authorities regretfully admitted that there was no other way to curb the population of Burmese,” who were brought into the state by accident and became too prolific.
According to environmentalists, there is no benefit from them, but they do a lot of harm.
Representatives of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in turn, noted that the Burmese python, whose habitat is actually Asia, is “an invasive species that negatively affects the wildlife of the southern Florida ecosystem.
Do You Need a License to Hunt Pythons in Florida?
For such work, you do not need to have special education, and no license is needed.
But contestants must pay a $25 registration fee.
Starting today, anyone who can hunt pythons in Florida (USA) Anyone can capture and kill Burmese, Indian, and African mountain pythons, as well as green anacondas and Nile monitor lizards.
New participants can submit applications during the entire hunting period, and before you start, you are required to complete a special online training course.
There are bonuses in the program; the hunter will receive a bonus if the length of the snake exceeds 5 feet and if its clutch is found.
Those who wish are hired for a position called “agent for the destruction of pythons.”
They are paid by the hour to hunt down and humanely rid the state of pythons and other dangerous snake species.
Florida Python Hunting License
So many snakes have bred that the locals were allowed to hunt them without a license.
Now You are able to hunt pythons without a license or permission on private property and in 25 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) zones, 365 days a year.
Python Hunting Season in Florida
The hunting competition for overbred pythons opens from March 8 to April 27.
The decision is made by the State Wildlife Service.
The matter is complicated by the fact that the python is not at all easy to detect in marshy areas due to its camouflage coloring.
Thermal imagers are also powerless since the snake is cold-blooded and takes on the temperature of the environment.
How Much Does Florida Pay for Pythons Per Foot?
The organizers of the hunt offered the best snake catchers cash prizes.
The largest tiger python killed during the season is worth $1,000, and the largest number of snakes killed is worth $1,500.
The management decided to incentivize the work of employees with a percentage of the sale of snake skin.
Now specialists do not just destroy snakes but freeze their carcasses and transport them to customers who make fashionable and expensive things from snake skin.
So suddenly, Florida has become a major exporter of stylish and expensive accessories.
Can You use a Gun to Hunt Pythons in Florida?
No, firearms cannot be used when hunting pythons.
It is a must to kill pythons in a humane manner at any time of day or night using air cannons and captive bolts.
Any nighttime animal capture with air weapons is prohibited.
Every python caught should be killed.
At the same time, hunters face disqualification if they kill any reptile, especially cruelly, or kill some local snake.
What Is the Best Gun for a Python?
There are several options available for people who have made the decision to buy a snake gun, particularly in the handgun category.
The following selections are fantastic picks for anybody looking to purchase a pistol.
Here are some good examples:
Bond Snake Slayer IV Handgun
Taurus Judge Magnum Revolver
Colt King Cobra Revolver
Smith & Wesson Governor
How Much do Python Hunters Make?
Python hunters employed by the state are compensated with $13 per hour plus $50 for the first four feet of snakes they catch.
And also, $25 is added for each additional foot.
How to Hunt Pythons in Florida?
To prepare for the competition, some people use carefully curated collections of snake-catching technologies.
For example, small geotrackers, ATVs, swamp trucks, and monster trucks with big tires
Python hunting is not for the faint of heart.
Although pythons are not venomous, they are strong and have been known to bite.
They have hundreds of teeth, and when they bite you, it’s like a needle prick.
The worst thing that can happen is when a tooth breaks off and gets stuck in you; it can get infected.
Can you Eat Python Meat?
Yes, and even Scientists from Indonesia claim that Python Meat is healthy for those who have kidney problems; eating python meat can be a great solution.
Therefore, python meat can treat kidney-related diseases.
What other benefits can python meat have?
Python meat is rumored to improve stamina in those who consume it frequently.
For those with stamina problems, they can try meat.
