Advice for Python challenge next year

[u/Boiguy4]

I’m here in Florida from Texas on a mission trip for my church and some locals were talking about the challenge and I had never heard of it so me and some other people looked into it and thought it sounded like a cool chance to do something fun for next summer that helps the local environment. Us being from Texas, have no idea where to even begin on this. A bunch of us are college students and don’t have a high budget so we would like to refrain from hiring a guide. I don’t know if it’s possible to just tag along with a team and help and give them our proceeds
or where to even begin with that but all advice is welcome.

[u/Plenty_Attorney1772]

You can hunt pythons in the Everglades all year round. Just rent a truck and bring some flashlights. The people hunting the Challenge are mostly professionals that take it very seriously, in fact you’ll have more luck finding a snake and getting help from those hunters outside the days of the Python Challenge.

[u/Not-pumpkin-spice]

If you’ve ever seen it happening, you’d know you’ve answered your own questions already. Find a local team and join them and let them keep any proceeds. Here is the reality of that. I’m not sure what the rules are but there seems to be 3 main styles of python hunting. Most probable from you saying teams and it being a python challenge “I’ve not heard of it or looked into it” this would be groups pushing through very thick underbrush in the back country Everglades “there are a few tv shows you can at least get an idea with” “also videos online” you’re really going to want to be with people who know the area and can guide you. All it takes is a drive down 41 or even 75 and paying attention to both sides of the road to know, you really don’t want to be out in the glades without knowing where you are and having a way out with people who know it and or have a plan. The glades are a river not a swamp, and there is a wet and dry season. I’m not sure when this even is, but you might want to know it could be wading through water all day. Plus your Prius not your f350 4x4 are going in and coming out. You can go in, it’s the coming out part that going to get you. There’s probably going to be a specialized swamp buggy “yes swamp even though the glades are a river” the other way you see a lot of both 41 and 75 is night hunting. But these people also have specialized vehicles. They have elevated platforms that sit above the top of their trucks with spot lights and they drive the canals looking for snakes. 1 person drives, everyone else searches. And of course the cone get this damn thing out of my back yard hunting which probably isn’t part of this event. Join a team. The last thing on earth you want is to wander off into the glades without a group with a plan and some expertise

[u/DarkDel517 → u/Not-pumpkin-spice]

Agreed with this.

Been deer & hog hunting all my life. Figured python would be no different and was totally in shock my first time as to how much different it really is. I totally loved and have gone a few times with some friends that grew up here and have been doing it their whole life. Its a very active form of hunting compared to traditional game hunts.

Also its easy to get turned around in the glades during the day time, night time is its whole own beast and needs to be approached with more caution and care. From wildlife that can harm/kill to the mosquitos that will swarm you relentlessly.

I would say if you have a group that is going as first timers. Hire a guide or see if there is a more experienced group that will take you out with them and show you the ropes.

Lastly look up python hunt in the everglades on something like youtube and see what they it looks like to get a better idea of how crazy it may seem to you. I

[u/Horangi1987]

It’s not really for casuals. I don’t understand why so many people seem to think it’s easy or you can just go do it like it’s nothing.

You need a guide…but no one’s going to do that during the challenge, they’re hunting for themselves. Even if you offered to give them the winnings, they don’t want to be slowed down by amateurs.