Hunter calls for changes to the Python Challenge
A Florida python hunter is calling for changes to the state’s Python Challenge, a 10-day competition organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to catch invasive Burmese pythons. Brandon Rahe believes python hunting should be left to the professionals.
ORLANDO, Florida – A Florida Python Challenge trapper is calling for changes to the state program.
It’s a 10-day competition run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to catch invasive Burmese pythons. Brandon Rahe said python hunting is best left to the professionals.
“The additional car traffic takes place in quiet areas and disturbs the native wildlife without providing a return on investment,” said Rahe.
Rahe worked as a contract trap for the FWC for two years and took part in the challenge twice, saying professionals like him tend to avoid it.
“There are the most experienced and tested individuals who have successfully captured pythons,” Rahe said. “They don’t hunt because they don’t want to be surrounded by the chaos that comes with that challenge.”
About a thousand people take part in the challenge every year. The organizers award prize money to those who catch the most pythons. In 2023, participants surrendered 209 pythons.
“It’s a family activity,” said amateur catcher Brendan Cronin. “My friends and I go out and do this all the time. We just go out and have a fun evening catching snakes.”
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One goal of the FWC is to raise awareness of invasive species and the threat they pose to wildlife.
Cronin said raising awareness will encourage more trappers to take up the challenge and dedicate themselves to the cause. Rahe said the few professionals can do more than the hundreds of amateurs without causing trouble.
“It’s certainly partly true that they can do more, but we’re still doing our small part,” Cronin said.
One solution is to educate more people that pythons can be caught outside of the 10-day challenge, Rahe said.
“What we really need is people to hunt these pythons all year round, not just for 10 days. But the public is under the impression that the 10-day challenge is the only way to get involved,” Rahe said.
FOX 35 News has reached out to the FWC for comment. We are awaiting a response.
