Florida Begins Formal Assault on Invasive Snakes

[Vector1]

Originally Posted by mike1003

68 means nothing. It is a spec of dust in a dust storm:

It is one more than 67.

[spankys bbq]

Originally Posted by danielj72

There are some who say those snakes could spread as far north as parts of Kentucky. This will be far more than just a Florida problem if these things are allowed to spread. Pythons in Atlanta? Knoxville? Memphis?, how about Little Rock?? No one would find this amusing. I sure wont, neither will my pets. There should be a permanent bounty on these things.

I've read where bounty programs have not been very successful in the control of coyote. I can't imagine it would fare much better in the case of the pythons.

If anyone would like an interesting read on invasive species and cooking them, check out a book called Eating Aliens by Jackson Landers. If I recall correctly, it had a chapter where they hunted the pythons.

[Linda_d]

Originally Posted by deb100

Are feral hogs or pythons a protected species anywhere in the U. S.?

Boars are not "protected" in NYS, but individuals aren't allowed to hunt feral hogs/Eurasian boars in NYS for two reasons:

• discourage more idiots from releasing more for hunting;
• hunting interferes with trapping programs because shooting at them scatters large groups of hogs into smaller ones that are then harder to trap.

[spankys bbq]

I don't think wild boar are protected anywhere in the US. However, it seems like few people actually want to reduce their numbers. Too many people charging for hunts and too few people with land willing to allow hunters to thin the herds (liability reasons, I suppose).

As far as releasing more for hunting, I don't think there is a need to breed them. There are already far too many of them in the wild. NC and GA are eat up with them from what I understand. 2 hurricanes caused the release of thousands of domesticated hogs that have since tremendously increased in number.

In NC, some public lands won't even let you hunt boar unless there is something else in season. That's a state thing.

We've got a problem, but we don't want anyone to solve it seems to be the line.

[1insider]

Originally Posted by Scratch33

I tend to doubt that 600 people working 1 month are going to put much of a dent in the population, but good luck.

I think you may be underestimating the enthusiasm of 600 Florida rednecks working towards a common goal, especially one involving guns. Busch Light, Remington and Burmese pythons. What's not to like? Sounds like a David Allen Coe song.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Python leather is worth some serious money. Get whoever buys python skins to start advertising that they buy the skins and pay well for them.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Wipe0ut

This threat is indeed real; if not controlled, those pythons can even find themselves spreading all across the Southeastern US:
https://www.fort.usgs.gov/sites/defa..._etal_2009.jpg

How long would it take for them to spread all over the areas on that map?

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by Scratch33

I tend to doubt that 600 people working 1 month are going to put much of a dent in the population, but good luck.

Publicity stunt.

They're in Florida to stay, just wayyy too infested in all the back areas and you can walk right past them.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by arjay57

How long would it take for them to spread all over the areas on that map?

I'd think something in terms of decades. They aren't exactly far ranging but if they move north by 10 miles a year or so it wouldn't completely shock me.

Please note that map is from 2009 and even then I think they were further north than that....maybe 1/3 of the way up the state by now but you can go by news reports for verification of that.

[hunterseat]

Wait. Don't hogs eat snakes? Why not just bring in a few wild boars....