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Actually, don't think of this as a hunt. It's more of an eradication to help the Everglades.
Pythons have become a pretty big problem down in the Everglades. Since they've taken such a strong hold in the swamp, populations of small mammals have almost collapsed. On top of that, these pythons also feed on alligators, deer and birds, all of which are native to the swamps. Now, Florida is set to take applications for specially trained people to hunt pythons with shotguns to help swing the tide.
"We've gotten to the point where we've realized that this is a significant problem that requires us to be open-minded and flexible in the way that we approach it," Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades National Park, said in an interview.
There are currently 40 paid snake hunters who hunt pythons in the Everglades. Remarkably, they earn anywhere from $8.25-$15 an hour, plus an additional $50 for each python. They also get $25 for every foot of length beyond four feet, as well as a $200 bonus for each nest. This new shotgun initiative will bump the number of hunters to 120.
If this sounds like something you might be interested in, Florida will soon be taking applications. To be eligible, you must have snake-catching experience and pass a training class.
Good luck!
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