Florida's Burmese Python Problem: How a Simple Hunt Became a $10,000 Grand Prize Event

The Florida Python Challenge is a unique event that combines a love of hunting with a desire to protect the environment. The challenge has been successful in raising awareness about the invasive Burmese python species and has removed a significant number of pythons from the Everglades.

Florida’s Burmese Python Problem: How a Simple Hunt Became a $10,000 Grand Prize Event

The Burmese python invasion in the Everglades has been a persistent problem for years, with the species causing a decline of 85% to 100% of the population of medium-sized furry animals, such as raccoons and rabbits. In an effort to combat this invasive species, the Florida Python Challenge was launched, offering a $10,000 grand prize to the participant who removes the most snakes.

The challenge, which began as a loosely planned scramble in the Everglades, has evolved into a more streamlined event with a cult-like following. People travel from far and wide to participate in the challenge, camping in tents and bringing their RVs to catch one of these elusive slithering monsters.

The challenge is not just about the grand prize, but also about raising awareness about the invasive species and the impact it has on the environment. The event has been featured on reality TV shows and has attracted celebrities such as Ozzy Osbourne and Gordon Ramsay.

Python hunter with a captured python

While some experienced hunters have called the challenge “hokey,” they acknowledge that it keeps worldwide attention on Florida’s invasive Burmese python problem and musters hopeful hunters from throughout the country.

The Python Challenge

The Python Challenge is a 10-day swamp safari that takes place in designated areas of the Everglades. Participants can hunt in areas that stretch from western Palm Beach County to the Tamiami Trail in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. Other management areas included in the Python Challenge are Holey Land, Rotenberger, and Southern Glades.

The challenge is open to participants of all skill levels, from professionals to novices. Participants can compete in three categories: professional, novice, and military. Each category has its own set of prizes, including a $2,500 prize for the most pythons caught, $1,500 for the second-highest number of pythons caught, and $1,000 for the longest python.

The Prizes

The $10,000 grand prize is awarded to the participant who removes the most snakes as part of the competition. Participants may only win one prize, so if someone wins two, the person will be awarded the prize of the highest value and the next qualifying hunter will win the remaining prize.

Python Challenge prizes

The Impact of the Python Challenge

The Python Challenge has been successful in raising awareness about the invasive Burmese python species and the impact it has on the environment. The event has also been successful in removing a significant number of pythons from the Everglades. In 2020, the most pythons removed in a single year was 2,629.

How to Register for the Python Challenge

Hunters interested in participating in the Python Challenge can register until the last day of the competition at flpythonchallenge.org. Participants must take an online training course to learn how to identify pythons and the humane way to kill a snake.