Everglades adventure time!
Tonight, we’re on the hunt for some Burmese pythons with my trusty canine companion, Otto.
First stop: an island where I caught a couple of males a while back. We find a bunch of shed snake skin – a good sign, but it seems like we might have missed something. The Everglades is a vast and unforgiving swamp, and without a skilled dog like Otto, finding these pythons is nearly impossible.
Otto picks up a scent and takes off, barking at something in the distance. It could be a raccoon, a bear, or anything! We don’t want him to get too far, so I call him back to refocus on the real target – pythons.
Moving on to island number two, where I actually found a nest during a python hunt last year. The theory is that pythons return to these successful nesting spots. Otto gets excited again, but this time he seems all over the place. He might have gotten a thorn in his ear, which can bleed quite a bit and needs attention. Looks like our swamp adventure comes with its fair share of hazards!
Finding Success Even Without Snakes
The night goes on, and all we find are some dead turtles and an invasive balloon. But hey, even without a python, it’s a successful trip in terms of data gathering and marking good spots to revisit. Otto gets some fun exploring, which is important too.
Back at camp, it’s time to prep for the next day. Sammy and Tombo are heading out for iguana hunts with their dogs, while Uncle D tackles the not-so-glamorous but crucial job of skinning pythons and iguanas.
This evening, we’re starting earlier to catch some sunset action. Otto seems more focused tonight, and that’s a good sign. We find a water snake, not what we’re looking for, but the hunt continues. The ever-present Florida bugs make things even more challenging, but we persevere.
Otto Picks Up The Scent
Finally, after a lot of searching, Otto picks up a strong scent. It’s a big one! This female python puts up a fight, wrapping its coils around my arm. The good news is that these big snakes tend to dislocate their jaws when they bite themselves, making them easier to control.
After a tense battle, we manage to secure the python. It’s a big female, and a great catch! This is what python hunting is all about.
Two days of hunting come to an end. We didn’t get everything we hoped for, but we put in the hard work and came away with a successful capture. Python hunting isn’t always a guaranteed win, but it’s an adventure nonetheless.
Thanks for joining us on this Everglades expedition! If you’re interested in joining a hunt for pythons, iguanas, gators, or hogs, check out our available hunts. We guarantee a one-of-a-kind adventure you won’t forget!
