Florida Offers $30,000 Total in Annual Hunting for Invasive Burmese Pythons

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The Burmese python annual hunting challenge in Florida has a pooled prize fund of $30,000.

This year's invasive Burmese Python annual hunt in Florida has a total prize fund of $30,000 shared among the winners.

Annual Hunting

Registration is now open for the highly anticipated Florida Python Challenge 2023. Participants have a chance to vie for an impressive prize pool exceeding $30,000. However, it's important to note that this event is not suitable for those with a fear of snakes. Spanning from August 4 to August 13, the 10-day competition will immerse participants in the role of snake hunters as they strive to eliminate as many Burmese pythons as possible from Florida's cherished Everglades ecosystem.

Spearheaded by the collaborative efforts of the FWC, SFWMD, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, this initiative, directed by Governor Ron DeSantis, aims to amplify public awareness of the threat posed by invasive species in the state and their devastating impact on the natural environment.

$30,000 Prize Pool

$10,000 will be awarded to the participant who kills the most snakes throughout the competition. The Bergeron Everglades Foundation is offering a $7,500 second-place prize, as per information from Space Coast Daily.

According to FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto, the private sector is to credit for the $30,000 in rewards this year.

Additionally, prizes will be given out by Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and the professional, novice, and military categories.

Inavsive Burmese Pythons

Burmese pythons, according to officials, are an invasive species in Florida and have impacted native wildlife by consuming birds, mammals, and reptiles.

There is no place like America's Everglades, according to "Alligator Ron" Bergeron, and it is important to keep protecting and restoring a national asset like the Everglades. He is pleading with everyone to take action to eradicate invasive pythons from the Greater Everglades Ecosystem as a whole. Bergeron is the Governing Board Member for the South Florida Water Management District.

A little over 1,000 individuals from 32 states, as well as Canada, and Latvia enrolled for the challenge the previous year. PAdditionally, participants removed 231 Burmese pythons from the region, which is more than double the number from the 2020 challenge.

Both professional and amateur snake hunters are welcome, but according to Insider, everyone must first complete an online training course before they can register for the event.

Also Read: Invasive Burmese Python Skin Made into Leather Bags Could Save Florida Native Wildlife

Humane Killing Methods

According to the Florida Python Challenge, candidates receive instruction in Burmese python identification as well as "humane killing methods."

Participants will be eliminated from the tournament if it can be demonstrated that they killed a python inhumanely.

The Florida Python Challenge informs competitors that while Burmese pythons are not protected in Florida besides by anti-cruelty laws, it is morally and legally required to make sure the pythons are killed humanely.

In addition to year-round python removal opportunities on 25 Commission-managed lands, pythons can also be humanely killed on private property at any time with landowner permission - no hunting license or permit is necessary, according to an announcement via the Gov. Ron De Santis website.