WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

Florida Will Hold a Python Hunting Contest

Put down your golf clubs and grab your guns

Next>

Dec 8, 2012 by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t

Image: AP

Florida will soon hold a python hunting contest to thin out the population of pythons - and perhaps also Floridians.

Joking aside, the Burmese pythons have been such an ongoing problem to Florida's ecosystem that the state has had to turn to the machete-wielding public for help. State officials once found a 76-pound deer in the stomach of a 16-foot python, CNN reports.

It sounds like the makings of a reality television show, but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission created the 2013 Python Challenge, open to both the general public and python hunters, to run from Jan. 12 to Feb. 10. Whoever kills the most pythons gets $1,500. The person who kills the longest one wins $1,000. Hunters can't take the easy way out, because, no, road kill does not count, CNN said.

Hunters will only be allowed to hunt in certain wildlife areas. The state wants the pythons, non-poisonous snakes that kill their prey by strangulation, hunted humanely and suggests shooting the snake in the head or decapitating it with a machete, CNN said.

Aspiring snake hunters just have to pay the $25 registration fee and complete an online training course that gives safety tips on hunting pythons.

Via CNN

Like this article? B Vote Up

?	Are state hunting contests a good idea?

All : 49

Comments (view in Forum)

Dec '12

MRMacrum

!
Are Hunting contests a smart idea? In the case of this non native species of snake in Florida, yes. Each contest needs to be judged on it's individual merit in my opinion.
- B1 • Vote Up r9 Replies
- r Reply
Post
u
Dec '12

SmedleyButler

!
Hunting won't make a dent in it. There's not enough men in this country willing to be hunters. I would import mongooses and let them have at it.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @SmedleyButler
u
Dec '12

SmedleyButler

!
Mongooses can go after the overlooked smaller ones. The most obvious big ones are prized for their skins for fashion,those can be hunted down by man. The Mongooses will most likely be killed by these big ones we're hearing about.
Banded mongoose attack python!!!!!@!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch...
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @SmedleyButler
Dec '12

MRMacrum

!
@SmedleyButler - In my opinion introducing any non native species into any ecosystem is usually a bad idea. Mongooses bring with them their own particular set of problems when they run out of snakes.
- B4 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @MRMacrum
u
Dec '12

seedtick

!
@SmedleyButler Come on, Smedley, you know better than that. These things eat deer, aligators, and anything else they can catch...poor little Ricci-Tikki-Tavi may kill a Cobra but is no match for a monster like this. And, with regard to a hunting contest...it's long overdue. The best thing would be to offer a bounty on these things and open up markets to the skins...they will go the way the aligator almost went...hunted to near-extinction. And, you must live in a different USA than I do, because there are many, many who would go to go on "snake safaris" in the Everglades. And, it might suprise you how many women would show up to hunt, also.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @seedtick
u
Dec '12

SmedleyButler

!
@seedtick Hey, It was only a suggestion. We'll see if enough hunters show up to make a dent in it. It's said that something like 90% of the wildlife has been decimated because of these monsters. Mongooses make great pets, so I'm told. I'm not saying they'll be able to fight the big ones, but hey, why not test them on the smaller ones. Sterilize some stock to see if it works, it's worth a try. The only other threat to the pythons is the king cobra. That's not an option.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @SmedleyButler
View all 9 replies >
Dec '12

JustTheFacts

!
great idea ... seeing how most are to lazy to even hunt anymore ... maybe some cash prizes will spur people out their doors! Imagine all the snake hides that will be harvested .... that's a lot of boots and other things that can be made :0)
- B Vote Up r2 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

Denizen_Kate

!
I'd love a pair of python peep toes. . . :)
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Denizen_Kate
Dec '12

CanisCanemEdit

!
Dang. Python hunting sounds like a lot of fun. Too bad it's in Florida.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @CanisCanemEdit
Dec '12

martydotcom

!
Bubba's on parade - a sight to behold-- mud bogging trucks, air boats all doing a great service for state and residents
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

Heavy-Fed

!
I don't like "Killing" contests.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

DARSB

!
Maybe a better idea is to hunt down the dim wits who let the snakes loose in the first place.
- B3 • Vote Up r4 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

mimi57

!
I tend to agree...but you can't hunt down people, you can hunt animals. Such irresponsible people!!!
- B3 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @mimi57
Dec '12

martydotcom

!
Original influx attributed to destruction of an exotic breeding facility by Hurricane. Andrew in 92.
http://www.wildwatch.org/Binocular/bino20/Flo...
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @martydotcom
Dec '12

marine1

!
WE, "the not to smart people" created the market by wanting what we had no idea of how to take care of or what the long range responsibilities would be. People have dumped puppies and kittens along side the road for as long as i can remember so why whould anyone think it would be different for any other species?
- B4 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @marine1
Dec '12

Medicinebow

!
Yeah, hunting the people down will solve the problem. Snakes be gone.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Medicinebow
Dec '12

Zazziness

!
Under normal circumstances, I'd say no but pythons are destroying the ecology and are becoming a true danger to the population. I'd say the same about wild pigs.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

mimi57

!
I love all animals, but I have a sister in Fl. and she said the snakes kill family dogs and cats, they are becoming a huge problem, there are so many...so I guess they have to be killed and they may as well have a contest doing it.
I guess there are too many to transport to zoo's , etc.
- B Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

martydotcom

!
there is even a case of a captive Python killing a 2 yr old. I saw one on golf course with a baby swamp deer. Why anyone would want one escapes me
https://www.google.com/search...
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @martydotcom
o
Dec '12

Sonny

!
Why would anyone care about this story?
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
o
Dec '12

sabbatical

!
America To Hold Commie Hunting Contest
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

MongoAPillager

!
good idea,gets rid of varmits,makes state some money,gives the family something to do on a Sunday after church! Maybe kill two birds one stone,how about a catch and release program,maybe relocate the larger ones to the southern border
- B Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

MongoAPillager

!
southwestern border
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @MongoAPillager
Dec '12

FFX_VA

!
Vous autres should hold a snake huntin' contest here in the DC swamp, it would set some new world records!!
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12
Post Removed by Moderators
u
Dec '12

DanielMincin

!
It's great for people who enjoy hunting as a sport. Those who oppose it do not have to take part in it.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
u
Dec '12

Archie

!
Sign me up. I'm donate the skins to charity.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

Dan_Tien

!
I would not advise going after a 16 foot long constrictor with a machete unless you really like to live the life of danger. Call me a coward, but I would choose a 10 gauge shotgun.
- B1 • Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

FFX_VA

!
I've ran into (actually ran over once with my Jeep) snakes that big in Panama, stick to the shotgun! Even the guys who use machetes every day back away from one that big.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @FFX_VA
Dec '12

NormalFlora

!
The First Annual "Hold My Beer and Watch This" python hunt. Comedy Central, CMT, and Animal Planet are each vying for broadcast rights. Should be a hoot.
- B2 • Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

jessejaymes

!
Hahaha. I think it should be included in the Redneck Games.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @jessejaymes
u
Dec '12

KyleMFb

!
Umm yes!!!! It's an invasive species and Florida is being over run with them and many other invasive species
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

Keyjo

!
They have to do something. I wonder how many people and domestic pets these pythons have killed.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

Thegrif

!
I will be down there with my airboat, can't imagine how getting these snakes out of the Glades could be bad. They are not native to the Glades and do not belong. The fact that it will be a blast is just a plus.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

Denizen_Kate

!
Will there be spectator facilities for this event? Grandstands, snack bars, porta-potties and so forth? Where can I buy a ticket?
- B Vote Up r2 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Dec '12

Medicinebow

!
Check with Ingrid Newkirk.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Medicinebow
Dec '12

Denizen_Kate

!
@Medicinebow - LOL! I said spectator facilities, not protest line!:)
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post @Denizen_Kate
R Load more comments...

Politix

Are state hunting contests a good idea?