TAMPA, Fla. — The 2023 Florida Python Challenge is scheduled to start on Friday.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission opened registration in May for the challenge.
The challenge is held yearly in the Everglades to combat the growing numbers of the invasive species in South Florida.
FWC officials said though Burmese pythons are large animals, they are notoriously difficult to find.
What You Need To Know
- The 2023 Florida Python Challenge scheduled to start on Friday
- FWC opened registration for the challenge in May
- Challenge is held yearly in the Everglades to combat the growing numbers of the invasive species in South Florida
- Florida Python Challenge FAQ
- Here's how to register
Because these snakes can be tough to spot and require specific handling guidelines, all participants in the Florida Python Challenge must take an online training course.
The course is designed to help hunters more effectively find the snakes and remove them from the wild.
The 2023 Florida Python Challenge® starts on Friday! You could win the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize Courtesy of Inversa Leathers! Register now at https://t.co/luYGV74Iof #python #invasive #conservation pic.twitter.com/9YFT1Jw6MA
— MyFWC (@MyFWC) August 1, 2023
During the 2022 challenge, a record 231 pythons were rounded up in the Everglades. There were nearly 1,000 participants last year from 32 states, Canada and Latvia.
Matthew Concepcion, the 2022 Ultimate Grand Prize Winner, removed 28 pythons during the challenge. Concepcion also won a $10,000 grand prize. Dustin Crum received the award for removing the longest python at a length of 11 feet, 0.24 inches.