Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Python Hunting Southern Florida

JeffA probably not a bad idea. He probably knows somebody. I can check with my buddy who is a fishing guide in The Glades.

Look up “Python Cowboy” aka Trapper Mike. He catches and kills a bunch of invasive stuff. I follow him on Instagram and he recently posted he isn’t chasing pythons right now because it is too warm making them too active and they’re breeding. Last year he caught a state record 17’ 7” ~135lb python by hand! He does offer guided iguana hunts that look like a blast.

Iguana's are everywhere down there. I was Peacock Bass fishing this time last year, and had to beat them away every bridge I stopped at. Most of them were north of 41 and on the east side of the Glades, around Rt. 27 . I had never given much thought as intentionally looking for snakes, as I try to do my best and avoid them. If I was going to try and find one, I'd start down off 41,around the 29 intersection near Carnestown and Ochopee. There's a road called Turner River Road, going north off Hwy 41 that goes through parts of Big Cypress. I would think if you got off in those woods and did some walking you'd have as good of chance as anywhere. Talking with folks that follow the locations many are caught at, told us most of the largest ones are coming West of 29, and north of 41. I imagine by now a lot of the food sources where they originated to the East, are getting depleted by now, forcing them to travel more and spread out.

Guided iguana hunts?

Hell, Flave could do that, within a mile radius or less from his house. Lol.

There goes one now.....

Lol.

I would be interested is doing this with a bow, only if a wild Heifer tag was included.

LOL

🦫

Of course you meant to mention that it would be a traditional longbow.

Absolutely !

And, I would Post up all the details, including pictures of this dangerous game hunt in the *BowHunting* sub forum.

😬🦫

Only if you contract per snake caught/killed.

I don’t know why they catch them bare handed.

I’d use a friggin’s net or a pole with a rope loop on the end or some type of looooong pinchers.

Been pondering of a way to reply to your request.

You already have your plans made to stay and fish in Labelle, not a bad choice if you are fishing the Caloosahatchee River.

Best I can say is the next time you go to make South Florida plans try booking with http://evergladesadventuretours.net/ .

There is considerably more variety to their fishing options plus things like this might happen along the way.



These guys have many irons in the fire in order to make a living in such a remote region, stop by their headquarters and take a look at the snakes they have in captivity. They will be about a one hour drive from Labelle directly south on 29.

You'll find maps, photos and reviews here.
After visiting there, you'll be aware of what those snakes look like and if they like you, they might even let you play with one and take a couple photos. Right now they have a 22 foot Python caged, but Pythons aren't the only snakes that lurk in those swamps, you may run into an Anaconda as well.



You might want to check out the accommodations they offer while your there so you know what you'd be getting into if you ever decide to book with them. What they offer isn't for everyone, there is nothing fancy, you'll either love it or hate it.



Enjoy your time in Florida, where ever it might take you.

My eyes now require bleach.....

Knew you would have an alternative option.

People trying to catch pythons alive remind me of a Gump quote. “Stupid is as stupid does.”

It takes a trained eye to find those snakes.
Your looking for a camouflaged stick or log in a jungle full of camouflaged sticks and logs.

They just kind lay there, they don't move much.

It's about as difficult getting started finding these snakes as it was when I first set out to photograph the wild orchids in the Everglades.

I like to never figured out how to spot an orchid, after a couple years I gave in and hired a couple different guides. First guide I hired was Mike Owen he'd spent 25 years in those swamps recording every detail relating to the wild orchids. It requires learning from those with such knowledge.

They taste kind of like spotted owl.

Or gray wolf.

Or Key Deer