HOLEY LAND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, Fla. — Late at night, Thomas Aycock’s F-250 pickup truck navigates through the sawgrass, the windshield fogging from the humidity. With a subtle smile, he knows it’s the ideal moment for python hunting.
“When the dew point drops, the pythons are more active,” Aycock said, sharing his insights from 11 years of experience as a contractor with Florida Fish and Wildlife.
Participating in the Florida Python Challenge, an initiative encouraging the removal of invasive Burmese pythons, Aycock is determined to make a difference. This year, the 10-day challenge wraps up on Sunday at 5 p.m.
The event is scheduled for a crucial time—August, when pythons hatch and scurry into the wetlands.
Aycock, a veteran who is passionate about preserving the Everglades, is keenly aware of the ecological threat posed by these invasive snakes, which have devastated local wildlife. The United States Geological Survey estimates that tens of thousands of pythons now inhabit South Florida’s wetlands, resulting in steep declines of native animal populations.
This year’s challenge has engaged over 600 hunters, eager to surpass last year’s tally of 209 pythons removed. The top hunter will receive a grand prize of $10,000.
The initiative not only raises awareness but has garnered national attention, promoting conversations about invasive species control. Since 2017, Florida has funded contractors for continuous python removal efforts, with over 18,000 pythons reported eliminated to date.
Contractors are compensated with hourly wages and additional pay based on the size of the snakes caught, but Aycock emphasizes that this work isn’t a full-time income source.
In this state, hunters cannot use firearms to capture pythons, making the process entirely hands-on. Aycock often scans the waters at night, navigating lonely roads and shining spotlights into the dark depths of the swamp.
His nighttime excursions also serve as therapeutic moments, often shared with fellow members of a veterans’ therapy organization focusing on environmental preservation.
The hunt itself is an art, with varying methods employed by each hunter. Some utilize snake hooks, while others prefer a gentler approach when feasible.
Burmese pythons, powerful constrictors devoid of natural predators, can pose significant challenges. Aycock recalls a harrowing encounter with a 17-foot python that required careful handling to subdue effectively.
Once captured, hunters must deliver the snakes within 24 hours, with strict regulations governing the transportation of live invasives. Aycock practices humane euthanasia for the snakes he captures.
Encounters can be unpredictable; each hunting night varies in success. Yet, the thrill of spotting a python is exhilarating.
“The adrenaline rush is real,” Aycock said, reflecting on the tense moments when the snakes lunge.
