Florida Youth Hunting Program With Florida Sportsmen's Conservation Association Hunt for Invasive Burmese Pythons

Burmese pythons are a large nonvenomous constrictor and are an invasive species in Florida.

- Bishop Wright Jr.

They reproduce rapidly and the population in the state has boomed in recent years. For this reason, hunting the species is encouraged. Particularly large, female snakes are highly sought after, as their capture prevents the species from breeding. They have been severely impacting the native ecosystem as they feast on native wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, turtes, birds, and more, causing a major issue in preserving the wetlands. The species can grow to huge sizes. On average, they reach 10 to 16 feet, however, some grow much larger. Recently, an 18-foot Burmese python was captured in South Florida as it crossed US 41 near Monroe Station.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with South Florida Water Management District, worked together under the direction of the Youth Hunting Program of Florida to put another successful python hunt with volunteers from the Florida Sportsmen Conservation Association.

Friday evening, July 29, 2022, started with an educational program given by Ali Courtemanche, a member of the FWC python team. She explained how to identify the Burmese python and showed how to remove them from the Everglades to help save the Everglades ecosystem.