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Why don't the python hunters just shoot the snakes?
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:27 pm
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:27 pm
Watching Swamp, people serpent hunters.
Why do they wrestle and try to bag the snakes is that just to make compelling television?
Certainly not the most efficient way to dispose of them. And a gunshot went harmed the skin too much.
Why do they wrestle and try to bag the snakes is that just to make compelling television?
Certainly not the most efficient way to dispose of them. And a gunshot went harmed the skin too much.
19
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:29 pm to BatonProv
I wondered the same thing.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:32 pm to BatonProv
where is the fun in that?
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:35 pm to Rebel
Well, if the goal is to try to save the Everglades, you don't care about fun as much
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:35 pm to BatonProv
According to grok- a combo of anti-cruelty laws, skin preservation and gun restrictions/safety
quote:
Python hunters in Florida, particularly during events like the Florida Python Challenge, are restricted from using firearms due to several reasons:
1. **Competition Rules and Humane Killing Requirements**: The Florida Python Challenge prohibits firearms to ensure humane euthanasia, as mandated by anti-cruelty laws and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines. Hunters must follow a two-step process: rendering the snake unconscious (e.g., with a captive bolt or air gun to the head) and then destroying the brain by pithing (inserting a rod to scramble the brain). Firearms are not allowed during the competition because there’s no established firearm season at the event locations, and shooting may not guarantee an immediate, humane kill.[](LINK [](LINK [](LINK
2. **Safety Concerns**: Shooting snakes in the Everglades, especially near water or in dense vegetation, poses risks like ricochet or stray bullets, which could endanger hunters, bystanders, or wildlife. The small size of a python’s head makes it a difficult target, increasing the likelihood of a miss or injury to the snake rather than a clean kill.[](LINK [](LINK
3. **Preservation of Skins**: Some sources suggest that shooting could damage the python’s skin, which is valuable for commercial use (e.g., boots, belts). Intact skins fetch higher bounties, incentivizing methods that avoid bullet holes.[](LINK [](LINK [](LINK
4. **Environmental and Legal Restrictions**: Firearms are restricted on many public lands where pythons are hunted, such as Everglades National Park, to protect the ecosystem and prevent accidental harm to native species. Misidentifying a native snake for a Burmese python could lead to ecological damage or disqualification from competitions.[](LINK [](LINK [](LINK
5. **Practical Challenges**: Pythons are often encountered in dense vegetation or water, where their heads may not be easily visible, making a precise shot difficult. Hunters prefer capturing them by hand or with tools to ensure control and a humane kill, especially since pythons are not venomous and can be safely handled with proper technique.[](LINK [](LINK [](LINK
While firearms are permitted in some contexts (e.g., on private lands with permission or by specific state-contracted hunters in Everglades National Park using shotguns), the emphasis on humane, controlled methods and safety outweighs the use of guns in most organized hunts.[](LINK [](LINK
This post was edited on 7/19/25 at 8:37 pm
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:37 pm to Rebel
I’m assuming the regulations are the same they were years ago, you can’t shoot the snakes.
Per regulation you have to hand catch it, and humanely kill it.
Why? Beats me. Seems like it’d make sense to let people traipse through the glades blasting pythons with a 12 gauge, but it’s not allowed. It’s possible firearms are outlawed on certain lands out there.
Per regulation you have to hand catch it, and humanely kill it.
Why? Beats me. Seems like it’d make sense to let people traipse through the glades blasting pythons with a 12 gauge, but it’s not allowed. It’s possible firearms are outlawed on certain lands out there.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:40 pm to Honkus
We are a charmin ultra soft society.
Tell me. How many animals will be impacted (humans included) when snakes have taken over because we thought we were helping them?
Tell me. How many animals will be impacted (humans included) when snakes have taken over because we thought we were helping them?
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:42 pm to riverdiver
Don’t take cameras and instead take a 12. gauge
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:42 pm to riverdiver
quote:
I’m assuming the regulations are the same they were years ago, you can’t shoot the snakes.
I suspect they can shoot them. But most don't. No sense in it really. no need to mess up the skin.
people plink iguanas with air rifles all the time.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:44 pm to Honkus
quote:
According to grok- a combo of anti-cruelty laws, skin preservation and gun restrictions/safety
===> ChatGPT
quote:
Because even Rambo would struggle—these snakes are sneaky, the terrain’s a nightmare, and shooting isn’t safe, not always legal in the Glades, nor effective. That’s why they use more stealthy, hands-on tactics - -
think Rambo with a sack and a GPS, not an M60.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:44 pm to BatonProv
Why dont they just get bigger snakes to hunt the pythons. BOOM! Python problem solved!
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:44 pm to riverdiver
You would think that if invasive pythons were that much of an issue, you could suspend certain laws for such an occasion.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:47 pm to BatonProv
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:54 pm to LSUSkip
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:54 pm to Lowdermilk
I read that the snakes are smart enough to hear the sound of gunfire and hide. IDK if that's true or bullshite.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:54 pm to LSUSkip
Exactly what's the bigger threat lack of habitat from sneak deformation or some shell casings getting eaten
Posted on 7/19/25 at 9:03 pm to riverdiver
quote:
Snakes have to be captured and killed “humanely”.
Beats me why they don’t allow guns.
Ok, let's weigh the options.
Option 1: Hunt the snake, find it and manhandle it until it gets tired out and too slow to strike, grab it and put it in a canvas bag causing an unknown amount of stress and kill it later.
Option 2: Locate the snake, walk up on the snake, take aim for the head, pop a cap in it and put it in a canvas bag. Done and dusted.
Option 2 seems to be the better of the two for all parties involved.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 9:04 pm to BatonProv
-production value
- lame arse laws
- production value
- lame arse laws
- production value
Posted on 7/19/25 at 9:07 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
OK. How bout a machete?
Posted on 7/19/25 at 9:08 pm to BatonProv
I think they need to get Samuel Jackson to do an Ad (uncensored) promoting the catching and killing of the mf'ing snakes in the mf'ing everglades.
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