[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by LAFwUs

Very valid point.
Id suggest it could have something to do with keeping a certain number of them within the natural eco-system. An open bounty on them, could/may/might totally destroy the entire population over time.
Think of it similar to deer season, or other similar seasons that allow control over the population without wiping them all out.
It could also have something to do with not wanting to pay a "per-head" bounty, which can be exploited.
There was a fisherman in TN. I think it was, that made a fulltime job of catching and turning in the invasive carp, that had a $5. per head bounty on them.
He is reported to have pulled in some $65,000 a year, fishing all day! and that was just one guy, there were plenty of others doing it as well!

also, the invasive carp in TN. are unlikely to kill a small child or small dog like a Florida python possibly could. The carp are just a threat to other more desirable fish species by eating their eggs. It is also UNLIKELY that ANY amount of hunting pressure could cause the extinction of pythons in Florida. The pythons would have too many places to hide and there are too many of them. I wonder if the hunters can SELL the python meat?

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

also, the invasive carp in TN. are unlikely to kill a small child or small dog like a Florida python possibly could. The carp are just a threat to other more desirable fish species by eating their eggs. It is also UNLIKELY that ANY amount of hunting pressure could cause the extinction of pythons in Florida. The pythons would have too many places to hide and there are too many of them. I wonder if the hunters can SELL the python meat?

I imagine there might be a market for python meat. I'm sure there would be for their skins.

"Pythons have beautiful, extremely durable skins that lend themselves to diverse applications. Long valued for their elegance and durability, Rojé Exotic Leathers stocks over 150 unique colors and finishes in the U.S. as well as 2000 skin in crust awaiting your production order in both front cut and back cut. A common misconception, as portrayed by various animal rights activist groups, suggest that all python skins are hunted and killed alive only for their skin, this is not at all true. Anyone that has ever traveled throughout Asia will know this and possibly have eaten BBQ python on a stick. Skins are culled from the wild each year and traded with strict quotas." (Roje' exotics).

But has an "invasive species" EVER been eradicated? And even more to the point, don't ALL species (including Homo sapiens) start out as invasive? Back home, the invasive species du jour was the Asian Carp, four species actually, bighead carp, black carp, grass carp, and silver carp. The MN DNR bemoaned their existence, warning of dire consequences if they were allowed to proliferate. They grew swiftly, and large (some can reach 100 lbs.) ; they have the disconcerting habit of jumping in panic at the sound of a boat propeller and there were instances of people being struck by them. They were going to destroy the sport fishing, etc. etc. So the war was on. All to little or no avail; often the fry are carried from lake to lake in the feathers of water birds, and the critters, particularly the silver carp, can easily jump barricades.

Then, it was discovered that even Asian Carp had their uses. Redneck fishing contests were held where boats whose occupants held long-handled landing nets would cruise up and down areas of lakes and rivers known to contain silver carp. They'd jump in panic and the net-people would snatch them out of the air. Great fun. They were also delicious, and being plant and bottom-feeders their flesh contained remarkably little mercury. They're part of the landscape now in many areas, and the resident species seem to have adjusted quite well for the most part.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Wild boar is delicious. What I'm not understanding is why there isn't a glut on the market in the area for it. There are plenty of them, and supposedly plenty of people who have firearms and are so proud of having them - they should put them to use, maybe make a profit in the wild boar meat business.

Wild boar often live in swampy areas of Florida where hunters do NOT like to walk for fear of poisonous snakes, alligators, and sinkholes. They often need to be hunted with specially trained dogs and special heavy-duty military-grade off-road vehicles or swamp buggies. They can be very dangerous and aggressive while having razor-sharp fangs and hoofs. And they often weigh 300 to 400 lbs. Wild animals can be unpredictable.......I came close to being charged by a doe DEER that was protecting a buck.

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

also, the invasive carp in TN. are unlikely to kill a small child or small dog like a Florida python possibly could. The carp are just a threat to other more desirable fish species by eating their eggs. It is also UNLIKELY that ANY amount of hunting pressure could cause the extinction of pythons in Florida. The pythons would have too many places to hide and there are too many of them. I wonder if the hunters can SELL the python meat?

Yesss, there is so much swamp land here in Florida, it would be impossible to rid all of them. They're probably 5 or more born for every one captured..

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

Here's the deal about Burmese Pythons. They are not native to Florida. They should not be here, and removing them will not cause unforeseen issues. Pythons are literally killing everything in the Everglades, leaving them alone will create issues.

Originally Posted by jimschlaefer

Pythons are an invasive species, never meant to be on this continent to begin with. Total eradication should be the goal and should be met.

Same story with the Lionfish taking over our waters

[Dee Smith]

What do they do with them once caught?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Dee Smith

What do they do with them once caught?

Cook them?

[Hardlyworking]

We see wild boar quite frequently on 301 north of the turnpike. One day, there was one laying on its side on the shoulder of the road. Looked quite dead and baking in the hot sun.

[Lea N]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

Here's the deal about Burmese Pythons. They are not native to Florida. They should not be here, and removing them will not cause unforeseen issues. Pythons are literally killing everything in the Everglades, leaving them alone will create issues.

They have even been known to kill gators and die in the process, along with the gator. I imagine there are people who think this is good but it is throwing off the balance of nature and killing of native animals. I wish people would stop putting them in the Everglades.