Blog On Hold

Thank you for your support in following my adventures into the Everglades to remove Burmese Pythons. I've taken a short break from Python Hunting to pursue a few other activities, but I will be returning again shortly.

I have discontinued my Facebook Fanpage as I have found that an open source site allows for opinions and comments that I do not support or approve to be posted without being policed first. Too many ill-informed people have taken advantage of this loop hole to promote their own incorrect views. I will not propagate their causes.

Please stay tuned for more updates in the near future.

12.6.12 Python Captured

As part of the Python Patrol Program, I help to cover Broward County. When someone reports a python being sighted, the Python Patrol Program tried to get a first responder out to the site within 20 minutes of the report to attempt to capture and remove the python.

Thursday morning I received my first call that a large python was sighted along Alligator Alley. My adrenaline was pumping as I took the call. I gathered my backpack and drove out to the reported site. It was only a matter of a few minutes before I was able to find the python with the help of the highway worker that spotted the snake.

The catch of the python was actually rather simple, as I discovered as soon as I saw the python, that the snake had been struck by a vehicle and had received damage to it's head. However, as soon as I grabbed the python, it still tried to protect itself by striking out at me. It's a true testament at how durable Burmese Pythons are, and even though this python was severely injured, it still hard the strength and ability to try and protect itself from what it saw as danger.

For sure this python was indeed suffering from it's injuries and there would be no trying to save it. Once captured, I immediately turned the python over to the Fish & Wildlife Commission to be humanely euthanized to end it's suffering. It is a shame that this snake had to suffer as much as it did. Yes, I do understand and agree that they have to be removed, but I am just as passionate about the snakes themselves, and I do feel bad that it had to suffer this way.

My apologies.... I've currently run out of storage space for my Blog, so looks like I will have have to remove older posts & pictures in order to upload more images...

WINK-TV News with Genevieve Judge

A few weeks ago I took out WINK-TV News Reporter, Genevieve Judge, in search of Burmese Pythons in the Florida Everglades. The story aired this past Monday. Here are links to the video trailer and the final story. I'm not sure how long the links will stay valid, so watch them while you can!

Here is the Video Trailer for the story...

Here is the link to the full story...

WINK-TV News Goes Python Hunting Inside the Everglades

11.18.12 Another Weekend in the Everglades

The weekend turned out to have much better weather then the meteorologists predicted. However, someone seems to have forgotten to tell the Pythons I was still coming. ;)

The normal places that I hunt are starting to get hunted by many other python hunters, and it seems this year I will have to start looking elsewhere much sooner. I ran into several FWC Law Enforcement Officers who told me that they have seen several Python Hunters out in the area recently.

I spent plenty of time out this weekend, and unfortunately I wasn't able to find any pythons. However, the beauty of it all is that I still got to enjoy the other creatures of the Everglades.

11.12.12 Python Captured and Removed!

It was another exciting weekend of python hunting in the Florida Everglades!

I spent many miles walking on Saturday, and although it seemed like great conditions, we were not able to find any pythons. However, we did come across the largest Florida Cottonmouth I have ever seen.

Today ended up being a much better day, and we were able to spot and successfully catch a Burmese Python. This python was coiled up tight and was difficult to tell how big it was until I got it out in the open.

The python measured 9'1" and weighed about 23 lbs. This python was a male.

This marks the 14th Burmese Python I have removed this year.

11.5.12 Python Captured and Removed!

As the year starts to come to a finish, the peak time for catching pythons has finally arrived. Of course, now is also the time that all the media wants to come out and join us hunters to get some great video of python captures. No pressure. ;)

Last week I took out WINK-TV Reporter Genevieve Judge, but unfortunately we were unsuccessful in our hunt. :( Today, we ventured out again in search of pythons and with about 100 yards left in our hunt, we were able to capture a python! (I have to say I was getting very stressed at not finding a python!)

Although the word "Python" came out of my mouth, I'm not really 100% sure that I was actually looking at one. This pic was taken at about 20 feet away with my zoom maxed out on my digital camera.

This Burmese Python measured 7'9" and weighed about 14 lbs, which is pretty close to the average size that I usually catch.

I was happy to hear that Genevieve felt this was one of her all-time coolest stories. This is the first time that she has held a snake, let alone a wild Burmese Python. The snake was tired out and there was no danger of her being bit. She should have plenty to go back and share with her co-workers.

I aided in some of the filming, and sacrificed myself to get the close up shots. I have not met a python yet that didn't have an immediate disliking to video cameras.

Another successful hunt with WINK-TV Fort Myers, Genevieve Judge reporting.

============================================

Today's capture marks my 13th python capture for 2012, and the 29th overall python I have captured since I began python hunting in June 2010. Two of the captured pythons were pregnant females, with a combined total of 39 eggs between them.

I admit that I am definitely passionate about catching pythons, however, I am only a volunteer and after doing some number crunching, it has cost me about $280 a python capture (not including the eggs). It is definitely an expensive hobby!

Exotic Pet Amnesty Day, Saturday October 20th

As part of my involvement with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Python removal programs, I am excited to announce that I will be displaying my adult Albino Green Burmese Python along with a baby Burmese Python at the upcoming Exotic Pet Amnesty Day in Davie, Fl to help educate people on the rapid and large growth these snakes can have, but to also show how when raised correctly these gentle giants are great pets. Stop out and see and learn about exotic animals, then come over and see my girl, Bee!

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is partnering with Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA) and Broward County Parks and Recreation to host the first ever Exotic Pet Amnesty Day in Broward County!

What: First Exotic Pet Amnesty Day in Broward County

Where: Tree Tops Park (3900 Southwest 100th Avenue, Davie, FL 33328)
http://www.broward.org/Parks/TreeTopsPark/Pages/MapsandDirections.aspx 

When: Saturday, October 20th, 2012 from 10 AM to 2 PM

An Exotic Pet Amnesty Day event provides pet owners a way to turn in exotic pets they no longer can keep - an alternative to releasing their pets into the wild. On this day, exotic pet owners can surrender their exotic animals from 10 AM - 2 PM. The surrendered animals will be looked over by a veterinarian. Beginning at 2:30 PM surrendered animals will be adopted by pre-approved adopters. This event is open to the public.

Attending (10 AM - 2 PM)

• See Exotic animals!
• Learn about responsible pet ownership and concerns regarding nonnatives species!

Surrendering (10 AM - 2 PM)

• Surrender your exotic pets with no penalties!
• Animals will be adopted by pre-approved adopters that same day!

Adopting (Adopters must check-in by 2:30 pm)

• Adopt an exotic pet that needs a home!
• Apply online: (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/nonnative-pet-adopter/)
• Applications must be received by Thursday, October 18th for timely processing.
• Questions? Please contact Liz Barraco at Liz.Barraco@MyFWC.com

More information about the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program can be found online at http://www.MyFWC.com/Nonnatives