Posted on 10/22/2022 2:08:30 AM PDT by dennisw
Matthew Concepcion won the prize for the most pythons removed, having hunted a total of 28 snakes.
Dustin Crum won the prize for the biggest python removed, having captured a snake measuring 11 feet and 24 inches.
A total of 231 invasive Burmese pythons were removed in total from the Florida ecosystem during the 10-day challenge in August, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced.
Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida. They are native to Asia, but they can also survive in Florida's subtropical climate.
The snakes were first introduced to the environment in the 1970s—likely as exotic pets released into the wild. Ever since, they have been extremely destructive to the native ecosystem, and their population is only increasing.
The hunt, which is managed by the FWC, is a yearly effort to remove as many of the snakes from the ecosystem as possible.
In total, nearly 1,000 participants across 32 states took part in the challenge.
One of them was Stephen Gauta, who took part in the challenge alongside his cousin, Jake Waleri.
"The challenge interests me because I love getting outdoors and learning more about the wildlife in south Florida," Gauta told Newsweek. "Since these pythons are such a destructive force I feel like it's my responsibility to go and take part in a the python challenge to give our native wildlife a fighting chance."
The Burmese pythons feast on much of Florida's native wildlife, such as bobcats and deer.
Gauta said he and fellow hunters road cruise, meaning they drive slowly along the shoulder of roads with bright lights, look around the swamp.
"Once again, the Florida Python Challenge® has yielded impressive results with hundreds of invasive pythons being removed from the wild," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a press release.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Florida must of outlawed rulers longer then 11 feet...... 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I sauteed new leaves this summer. They were still pretty tough. Was wondering if kudzu could be pickled like grape leaves.
“I’ll bet the young tender foliage is edible.”
Cows love it. Formerly, the Federal government encouraged its cultivation for forage and erosion control.
Its requires sunlight, so although it seems like it has taken over as you drive down the road, it doesn’t penetrate forests.
https://www.walterreeves.com/how-to/kudzu-recipes/
https://cookpad.com/us/search/kudzu
My grandfather was part of that effort in North Georgia with the Georgia Conservation Department. Probably went to his grave regretting it.
My favorite Youtube channels are the iguana hunters who use air rifles......looks like a lot of fun with an incredible number of targets.
Raccoons will hunt iguanas. Saw a youtube video where one waited patiently near a pool till a big one crawled out. Ran up, wrassled with it for a moment, then loped away carrying it by its neck thinking, “Pool-lizards is good eats!”
While this number is impressive, I’m afraid it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Florida should have the python hunt going on year-round, until they’re ALL destroyed.
- Pythons
- Iguanas
- Coyotes
- Nile monitors
One solution: AR-15 SBR w/AAC 762-SDN suppressor in .300 Blackout, running Hornady subsonics.
Unseen, unheard.
Had you sauteed kudzu leaves before?
I think the guy on tv did mention salads for one thing.
It was my first and only attempt. Mixed with garlic. Not the worst thing I’ve ever eaten but not something I’d want to eat regularly. I’m going to pick some today and try to ferment them like grape leaves.
AND/OR, Pay bounties, have celebrity chefs create "popular" new python dishes and fashion designers create new fashion trends, ban farming pythons AND allow year round 24/7 python hunting in the Everglades and they will soon be all gone.
AND/OR, have an organization such as DARPA fund development of hunter-killer drones to methodically grid search areas.
Periodic destructive freezes that Florida gets will push back the walking catfish, pythons and other tropical nuisances.
For kudzu, surround with electric fence, let a herd of goats in and your kudzu problem will soon be a thing of the past.
“Leaves grow directly from the stem. You again need a shear to cut the leaf stalks from the main stem. The tasty and nutritious leaves are the smaller, young-looking, and bright green ones.”
You say the leave were tough? Pound them first before cooking. Preferably, with the bottom of a glass jar or beer bottle against wood. Or >>> liquify them in a blender with some scant water. Then simmer. I have not done either. But I have seen how Kudzu can run crazy wild in The South.
Those green leaves must be very nutritious.
You will see Kudzu powder at Amazon etc. to be used as a thickener. This comes from the Kudzu root.
“AND/OR, have an organization such as DARPA fund development of hunter-killer drones to methodically grid search areas.”
This is the nuke’em from orbit, it’s the only way to be sure, version. Of getting rid of these Everglades pests. Once and for all. There are some videos of Everglades pythons vs Everglades ‘gators. Both brainless critters defending their turf. Kinda like, these days, Russia vs Ukraine
https://www.bing.com/search?q=pythons+vs+Everglades+%27gators&aqs=edge..69i57&FORM=ANCMS9&PC=U531
with wild rose bushes introduced by the Roosevelt administration
____________________
Wild rose is known pest, native of Europe, where it is fought forever.
But some scientist liked that it created bushes where birds can hide.
So they brought it to the US and propagandized it to farmers.
Now it is messing up US forests and meadows!
Those scientists!
They’re unfit to eat, and damn hard to find in the Everglades.
Thanks for the info!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.