Scrub your plans for Australia to help out with the bunny conundrum going on there. We have problems right here in the good old U.S.A. Yes, nonnative snakes have taken hold in Florida and these aren’t just everyday garter snakes. These are monstrous, poodle-choking, cat-gripping, gator-gulping Burmese pythons. And it’s only now that the authorities that be have decided there might be a bit of a problem with these giant constrictors slithering around in the Sunshine State? Apparently hurricane destruction of reptile holding facilities and irresponsible pet owners led to the invasion. I saw a report on it a few days back on Public TV so I’m somewhat of an amateur expert.
Starting March 8 and going through April 17 you can hunt these potential shoe-leather critters simply by having a Florida hunting license and a $26 management area permit for the open hunting areas allowed. You also have to take a short course in python hunting etiquette.
Dad! We got one! What do you mean it's not a python?
After that you’re free to wade the swamps in search of a quarry that can reach 26 feet in length and weigh more than 250 pounds. Oh yes, the big ones could squish you.
But hold on, there’s more bang for your buck. Not only do you get to hunt Burmese pythons, but the state also allows the taking of other invasive species including the Indian python, reticulated python, northern and southern African rock python, amethystine python, green anaconda and the Nile monitor lizard. I’m going to need a bigger Crock Pot because I hear they all taste like chicken.
What firearm should you use? Unfortunately no centerfire rifles are allowed so release the grip from your .50 BMG. You can use handguns, shotguns and rimfire calibers. I think I’d go with my semiautomatic Smith and Wesson 1012 and use a heavyweight turkey load. In case there’s a question of whether or not the python is still capable of constricting I’ll have my X-Frame .500 S&W for backup.
And if any of you reading this are college students planning for spring break, enough said! Here’s an activity that gets you near the water, feeds you and even allows you to make a buck back by selling hides. I wish I were 20 again!
Mark Kayser
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