Exterminating an invasive species?

[oldman]

I have gone on a Burmese Python hunt in the Everglades. I only went on one hunt and bagged 3 pythons for one day’s work. That was enough for me. It’s hot, humid and can be stinky out there. The unpleasant smell in the Florida Everglades, often described as "rotten egg" or "sewage-like," is primarily caused by sulfur-containing compounds released during the decay of organic matter in the waterlogged environment. It made me very nauseous at times. I was with an experienced hunter and he killed my snakes because they have to be killed by using tools I didn’t have or own.

Here’s the pay plan:

In Florida, Burmese python hunters are compensated both hourly and per snake. They receive an hourly wage, typically ranging from $13 to $18, for up to 10 hours a day while actively searching for pythons. Additionally, they get a bonus for each snake they capture: $50 for those up to 4 feet long, and $25 for each additional foot beyond that. There's also a $200 bonus for each verified active python nest.

These are the men that won the 2024 hunt by catching 20 snakes.

 

[oldman]

As we walked through the Everglades near a canal, my friend, who was also my neighbor in Florida, was about 10 feet away from me. I was keeping my nose to the ground looking for snakes when I came face to face with an alligator. I guess I frightened it because it made a quick 90 degree right turn towards the canal and skedaddled. I had to check my underwear because it scared the crap out of me.