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Python Hunting

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 10:43 am
by JEBar
delighted to see the authorities are taking this problem seriously


"The roar of shotguns will sound in Everglades National Park, as the war intensifies against the Burmese pythons that have devastated the park’s wildlife.

The park announced Thursday that for the first time it will allow state-contracted python hunters to pursue the giant snakes within its boundaries. And for the first time, it will allow the use of firearms — shotguns only — to kill them.

Although the park already uses more than two dozen of its own volunteers to catch pythons, the new initiative will triple the maximum number of snake hunters from 40 to 120."


source ===> https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/flori ... story.html

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 10:53 am
by BrokenolMarine
Bout time. It's sad when exotics introduced into the ecosystem by mistake disrupt the natural flow of things, sadder still when those in the "know" intentionally introduce an outside player thinking it will correct an issue, but it only creates unexpected new problems. Scientists in Hawaii introduced Mongoose to the island to combat the growing cane rat problems. No effect. But they thrived in the environment, and loved the native birds, nearly wiping out the ground nesting state bird.

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 12:32 pm
by Mistered
delighted to see the authorities are taking this problem seriously
I agree but it might be far too little to late.
They have known about this problem for a long time - as it was attributed to the escape of these snakes after a pet shop was destroyed during a hurricane in 1994.
Tripling the number of hunters from 40 to 120 ? Everglades Ntl. Park is a large area and they would need a 100 times this many to possibly have an effect.
Unfortunately the environment is a perfect match for them and provides excellent cover and concealment.

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 12:42 pm
by BigAl52
There after the iguana's to. Just read a recent article on that and they want people to destroy everyone they see. Lizard removal with the SGC 22mag would be fun.

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 1:13 pm
by Mistered
There after the iguana's to.
Those are probably good eating also!

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:00 pm
by ESquared
I saw the story on iguanas on the national news. Seems they're taking over Florida. Iguana exterminators are making a good living in the suburbs!

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:26 pm
by RetiredSeabee
I can’t believe that they only had 40 hunters authorized and only allowed to capture. Tripling that and allowing them to kill is an improvement but short by a long shot. Put a bounty on their skins and open it up to at least 250 hunters who can show that they have the gear and skills to hunt in that swamp without destroying it.

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 11:03 pm
by Henry88
Florida is reverting to the Jurassic Age............

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2019 9:49 am
by Ojaileveraction
Taste like chicken!
Mistered wrote:
Fri Jul 12, 2019 1:13 pm
There after the iguana's to.
Those are probably good eating also!

Re: Python Hunting

Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2019 10:08 am
by Mistered
Taste like chicken!
I am hoping they taste like rattlesnake, or frogs legs.