https://www.barstoolsports.com/video/1390479/barstool-outdoors-episode-5-python-task-force-vs-the-everglades-invaders-1390479

Assuming i wouldn't be killed by something in the Everglades, hunting these things sounds like it would be fun.

Ayto Siks, our OB resident Everglades Juvi Tarpon whisperer, wades/hikes to lots of remote places in the glades and has shared with me he has more than once come across said pythons in his excursions... that and alligators, lots of alligators.

here is the video in case yall don't want to click on the link

I haven't made it that far in his series. I just finished the second episode. So far, I like the kid. He is different from lots of the guys on tv. He seems to have a different perspective on things and seems to understand how good a deal he has going with this little show. Too many of the tv guys now seem like spoiled rich guys that just seem to take is all as something they have been promised. This kid still seems fresh and kind of in awe of it all and I kind of like it.I am going to try and catch up on the series this weekend.

Awesome video. I'm wondering why, if they're ultimately going to kill the pythons, don't they just pop them in the wild with a .22 instead of going through the hassle and danger of catching them alive. Judging by those teeth, a bite from one of those would suck.

FiTxAg04 said:

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Awesome video. I'm wondering why, if they're ultimately going to kill the pythons, don't they just pop them in the wild with a .22 instead of going through the hassle and danger of catching them alive. Judging by those teeth, a bite from one of those would suck.

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Because if they did that no one would post, "Awesome video".

State pays by the (dead) foot.

So what do they do with them? Looks like they catch them live and bag 'em - then what?

rsmithtesiusa said:

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So what do they do with them? Looks like they catch them live and bag 'em - then what?

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I watched a few episodes of guardians of the glades on Discovery. They were catching pythons like this guy. Then they would collect bounty from state, tan the snake skin, sell the meat, and sell the guts to Asian people to make medicine. Basically every single part of the snake was used or sold.

Maybe thats why they dont shoot them so that they can keep the meat etc fresh? I dont know

rsmithtesiusa said:

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So what do they do with them? Looks like they catch them live and bag 'em - then what?

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humanely euthanized

Hunting pythons is probably is just as effective as hunting hogs on population control.

rsmithtesiusa said:

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So what do they do with them? Looks like they catch them live and bag 'em - then what?

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I just hit a python the other day. I'm usually good at avoiding snakes on the road, but the python stretched across the whole lane. Didn't wanna swerve into a ditch, and couldn't brake safely. The local game wardens didn't even blink when I talked to them about it.

As more and more pythons are found in SW Florida (not just the Everglades), I wonder if they will compete with panthers for deer. Hopefully not, but there are tons of whoppers out there.

The invasive fish problem is out of control as well. Can't even remember the last place I fished that wasn't infested with plecos and cichlids. It's hard to find a bluegill these days.

rsmithtesiusa said:

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So what do they do with them? Looks like they catch them live and bag 'em - then what?

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rootube said:

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Hunting pythons is probably is just as effective as hunting hogs on population control.

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I'll never make fun of anyone wearing Crocs ever again.

I watched all 6 episodes of Gaurdians of the Glades. The state of Florida pays enough that there are lots of people who make their living off hunting pythons.

I think I would live on the streets and go hungry before hunting those things! Unless of course they could be shot on sight but then I would be shooting every snake, good or bad; especially at night!!!!

You should find the show and watch it. Pretty fascinating and there's a smokeshow who is part of the crew.

gotsand said:

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FiTxAg04 said:

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Awesome video. I'm wondering why, if they're ultimately going to kill the pythons, don't they just pop them in the wild with a .22 instead of going through the hassle and danger of catching them alive. Judging by those teeth, a bite from one of those would suck.

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Because if they did that no one would post, "Awesome video".

State pays by the (dead) foot.

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That makes no sense. You either want them dead or you don't. But it's a gov agency, so no surprise.

And why do they have to be alive?? Let them bring the head in and pay for that.

This a prime example of why I don't like non native species. Jeff Goldblum was right. Nature finds a way.

And if I'm not mistaken, where they have been breeding was off limits to killing them until recently. Brilliant.

My understanding from years ago is that they would not let them shoot in the area because they think the snake hunters will poach. Don't know if that's true or not.

Idiots who buy these things for pets man..... a ball python at 5 ft full grown is as much snake as 99.9% of people can handle. After the EXPLOSION of prices on ball python morphs a few years ago, people decided they where going to breed these damn thing as the next "big" reptile. I've helped handle a couple that where being used for breeders.... MAYBE .01% of the population is even capable of safely keeping a 14+ft long reticulated or Burmese, and the market is flooded with adults. I'm only hoping that they never adapt to Texas cold conditions enough, because I know several have been released ....

I thought in Florida they put GPS on the males, release them and follow them back to the females. Then they kill the females.

The increase was not really on ball python morphs. Those could be had for a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars.

The increase was really on reticulated python morphs. Those started to be listed for $60-80000 per snake. Ball pythons aren't going to affect the environment near as much as retics.

The regulations used to be worse. There are 20+ Wildlife Management Areas, and rules varied by location. At least they are consistent now.

Technically, I'm not even sure if Everglades National Park and Big Cypress are included as legal places to hunt pythons. Last time I checked, they were not on the list of approved WMAs.

There's potential for an even bigger problem- literally. There's a population of rock pythons near Miami.

FiTxAg04 said:

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Awesome video. I'm wondering why, if they're ultimately going to kill the pythons, don't they just pop them in the wild with a .22 instead of going through the hassle and danger of catching them alive. Judging by those teeth, a bite from one of those would suck.

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Because the Animal Planet or Discovery Channel doesn't pay for a killing show...just a catching show.

In the finally of GOTG, they gave all the hunters keys to places that were off limits.

willie wonka said:

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FiTxAg04 said:

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Awesome video. I'm wondering why, if they're ultimately going to kill the pythons, don't they just pop them in the wild with a .22 instead of going through the hassle and danger of catching them alive. Judging by those teeth, a bite from one of those would suck.

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Because the Animal Planet or Discovery Channel doesn't pay for a killing show...just a catching show.

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The bite does suck. What's worse is that their different rows of teeth work in tandem to essentially ratchet their prey into their mouth since they swallow it whole. This is a fairly slow process, and IIRC they can't just bite something and then let go of they don't like it. The muscles in their mouth contract in such a way that they are locked and they can't just release them at will. You have to simply wait out the bite, let them relax, and let them retract their teeth to get them off.