10 Best Programs for Getting Paid to Hunt Pythons in Florida

Yes, getting paid to hunt Pythons is a thing in Florida.

This article explains the various ways and legit companies/programs that really pay you to hunt Pythons in Florida.

 

Importance of Hunting Pythons in Florida

In the Everglades of Florida, the state is experiencing a wildlife problem.

No, it’s not alligators… it’s snakes.

Not just any kind of snake, it is the python

The problem has become so severe that the habitat of the Everglades is being severely affected due to this reptile moving about freely.

It has become such a problem that the gloves, or in this case the scales, are off, and it is the hunter versus the hunter.

If you’re up for a hunting challenge and would like to match hunting with this unusual predator, the state of Florida may have a hunting opportunity for you, and they will pay you to be involved.

 

About the Pythons 

The Burmese python is one of the largest snakes found on the planet.

Its scaly skin is dark-colored with brown blotches that have black borders.

This pattern runs down the back of the reptile.

The python, in the wild, can grow to a length of 23 feet.

Typically, the female of the species grows larger than the male and is very prolific as it can lay up to 80 or so eggs at one time.

The snake is non-venomous but can bite.

Typically, they are active at night and are able to navigate the waters well.

In fact, they can stay submerged for up to one-half hour.

Adding to its ominous predator status, this carnivorous creature survives on a diet of small mammals and birds.

Once it has latched onto its meal, it wraps its body around the unfortunate animal and through a constriction process, kills the animal and then swallows its prey whole.

This predator is not indigenous to the North American continent.

 

How Pythons Become a Problem in Florida

The introduction of the Burmese python to the Florida Everglades was caused by two significant actions.

The first action is that some individuals and their desire to have exotic pets selected the python as one of their choices.

Unfortunately, there came a time in the lives of these “pet owners” that the python became unmanageable, and the pet owners simply released the python into the wilds of the Everglades.

The other significant factor that created the Everglades being infiltrated by pythons was Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

This category five hurricane devastated a number of facilities that were home to an exotic wildlife sanctuary.

As fate would have it, one of those facilities housed a Burmese python breeding center.

The devastation to the building allowed for the pythons to be freed.

This coupled with their prolific breeding abilities, up to 100 eggs year by the female per year and a life expectancy of 15 years, the python problem became a significant issue for the Everglades of Florida.

Added to the mix is that because the python is not indigenous to the North American continent there are no natural enemies to this species of snake.

Their proliferation and appetite for small animals have created a significant decline in small animals such as raccoons, opossums, rabbits, and foxes.

 

Florida‘s Response

To counter this problem, Florida has placed a bounty on these snakes.

A hunter can be paid to hunt these pythons and will receive a certain amount of money for any python captured that is between the length of 0 and 4 feet.

Additionally, for every foot after that 4-foot maximum, an additional dollar amount is paid per foot.

In addition, the hunter is given $8.25 an hour.

 

8 Ways & Tips to Getting Paid to Hunt Pythons in Florida

 

1. Python Hunting Trips

Living in a capitalistic country, no opportunity is ever wasted for an individual to make money.

One of those ways to make money, as it relates to the python population of the Florida Everglades, is for companies to offer python hunting trips.

By hunting pythons, this not only helps towards the goal of getting rid of this snake from the Everglades but also provides an exciting adventure for snake hunters.

The companies make money as well through organized trips.

One such site can be found by clicking here.

This would be a great way to learn how to hunt pythons and get paid by the state of Florida if one chooses to go out on their own.

 

2. Becoming a Contractor 

The state of Florida is looking for more individuals to become contractors with their job being to hunt pythons.

This effort to increase python hunters is to further expand the program of removing these snakes from the Everglades.

At last count, the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission and Everglades National Park are expanding their team of contractors from 40 on up to 120 individuals.

As of this writing, the pay is $8.25 an hour with additional revenue provided if a python nest is verified and removed as well as $50 for pythons measuring up 4 feet and an extra $25 for every foot that is above that 4-foot length.

An application can be reviewed here.

 

3. Competition

The state of Florida is serious about trying to manage this Python problem and has undertaken a number of actions.

One of those actions is to organize official competitions where hunters compete against each other for cash prizes and other awards.

 

4. Pick a Course

Obviously, one just doesn’t get out of their car and start looking for pythons.

In fact, in order to be involved in the python hunting process, there is an instructive class that the individual needs to attend.

The class provides the basics on how to identify a Burmese Python as opposed to what other snakes may be lurking in the Florida Everglades.

Also, the course instructs the individual to bring a smartphone with GPS ability, a set of binoculars, a camera, a flashlight, and a measuring tape.

 

5. Best of Times to Find Pythons

A tip on getting paid to hunt pythons would be to know where pythons can be found in the Florida Everglades.

Some of their environmental habits include the enjoyment of the sun during the wintertime and realizing that in the summer they are found mostly around the water.

Nighttime finds them extremely active with their hunting actions.

Also, pythons stay out of the rain.

Therefore, a rainy day is not a good day for hunting a python

 

6. How to Spot Them

Because the python is somewhat camouflaged, it would be difficult to see the python in its entirety.

The recommendation is to be on the alert for movement or rustling sounds as indicated by the size of the snake.

Also, it’s important to be on the lookout for something shiny or unusual.

 

7. What to Wear 

Although pythons are non-venomous, they have sharp teeth.

It is important to wear a heavy-duty jacket so as to deter the possibility of the snake latching onto you with its jaws and teeth.

Also, a heavy-duty jacket will help to ward off the mosquitoes and other insects that are part of the Everglades environment.

 

8. Best Method 

Another tip in getting paid to hunt pythons is actually catching one and the best way to do that is to latch on to the tail of the snake and pull it out into the open.

Evidently, this process causes the snake to get fatigued.

Another important piece of advice is to stay away from the other end of the snake.

Experienced python catchers indicate that a python caught in this manner will soon get tired in roughly 10 minutes.

It is at this point that the individual or team member grabs the back portion of the snake’s head.

 

 

10 Best Companies & Programs That Pay or Help You Get Paid to Hunt Pythons in Florida

 

1. The South Florida Water Management District 

This government entity pays for the removal of pythons to individuals who are authorized to work as contractors.

The current hourly rate is $10 and if they remove a Python nest that is worth $200 to the individual as well as the payment of $50 for each snake up to 4 feet and an extra $25 for every foot measured above that 4-foot level.

They are currently accepting applications to be part of the team and can be found by clicking here.

 

2. Fish and Wildlife Foundation Florida 

The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida takes an active role in the removal of pythons in Florida.

There are three basic programs.

The first one is the python patrol, the detector dog team, and the Florida Python Challenge.

This foundation is part of the financial support system for the removal of pythons.

 

3. Florida Python Challenge 

The Florida Python Challenge is an annual event.

The grand prize is $10,000 and various other awards are given depending upon the size, weight, and other aspects of the pythons that are caught.

More information about this challenge can be found by clicking here.

 

4. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is one of the co-sponsors of the Florida Python Challenge.

Their role, in concert with other agencies, is to increase awareness about this challenge that the Everglades of Florida is facing.

 

5. Virtual Business Services 

The main sponsor of the Python Challenge event was Virtual Business Services.

They provided the $10,000 that was given as the grand prize and awarded to the winner of the competition.

The individual who won the latest competition, Charles Dachton, was credited with the removal of 41 pythons.

 

6. Reality TV Show 

One of the unexpected financial opportunities that came out of this challenge being faced by Florida was a television reality show called Guardian of the Glades.

This broadcast was seen on the Discovery Channel and highlighted one of the python hunters by the name of Dusty “The Wildman” Crum and featured his work in catching Burmese Pythons.

 

7. Python Removal Agents 

To be a python removal agent you will contract with the South Florida Water Management District.

The individual needs to be:

• At least 18 years old,
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Email address
• Bank account for direct deposits
• A smartphone that can download tracking software

 

8. Bass Pro Shops 

Bass Pro Shops was also a major sponsor of the Python Bowl and contributed money as part of the cash incentives and two all-terrain vehicles as part of the awards presented to the various winners in the competition categories.

 

9. Bergeron Everglades Museum 

The Bergeron Everglades Museum contributed cash as part of the award incentives to those who participated in the Florida Python Bowl.

 

10. Working for Hunting Guide Companies 

There is a number of hunting guide companies that offer a variety of guided hunting trips.

You could possibly work for one of these companies or start your own.

A partial list of those companies can be found here.

 

Personal Story

Growing up in a family of seven, we always added members to our family by having family pets.

Sometimes we would have a dog, a cat, my sister had gerbils, and I can remember having a parakeet that my brother tried to use as an airplane, but that’s another story.

And so, probably like you, pets were common members of the household and we doted on them and spoiled them.

Imagine my surprise when visiting a relative when we were graciously offered their daughter’s room to stay in for a couple of nights.

We thanked them and told them how much we appreciated them giving up their bed.

However, when they talked about sharing the room with their pets, my frame of reference was possibly a cat or a dog.

Unfortunately, the daughter was into exotic pets and two of those exotic pets that she had were a tarantula and hissing cockroaches.

Well needless to say that not only did sleeping in my own bed provided an uncomfortable night’s sleep but sharing the room with her “pets” was a completely unnerving experience.

Check out the following articles for more ways of getting paid to hunt:

• How to Earn Money and Get Paid for Hunting
• How to Earn Money and Get Paid to Hunt Coyotes
• How to Earn Money and Get Paid to Hunt Hogs

 

Getting Paid for Hunting Pythons in Florida FAQs

 

When the Pythons Are Captured in Florida What Happens to Them?

Because they are not indigenous to North America and they are wreaking havoc in the Florida Everglades, Florida law allows for the hunting of Burmese pythons.

When they are caught, they are to be destroyed humanely

 

What Was the Largest Burmese Python Caught in the Florida Everglades?

To date, the largest python captured in the Florida Everglades measured at 18 feet and 9 inches.

 

You Can Do It

As the saying goes, “To each their own.”

Some people enjoy having pets in their homes such as dogs, cats, birds, and occasional parakeets, etc.

Then there are those who enjoy “different” pets like pythons.

Unfortunately, some of these exotic pets are on the loose in Florida.

 

Conclusion

Pythons have become a state problem for Florida in the Everglades.

They need hunters that are willing to capture these beasts with their bare hands.

Are you up for the challenge?

Who are you going to call…”Python Busters.”