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Post by parfive on Jan 14, 2013 20:10:30 GMT -5
To be eligible for the longest Burmese python prize, the snake should be in no more than two pieces (e.g., the head removed from the body). However any snake submitted in more than two pieces still counts toward the total number of pythons captured.
Can 2013 Python Challenge™ competitors keep the skins of Burmese pythons they harvest?
Yes. Registered 2013 Python Challenge ™ participants who wish to keep the skin of a harvested Burmese python should indicate this preference in the "Comments" section of the data sheet turned in with the snake at a designated drop-off location. After the snake is measured for official entry into the 2013 Python Challenge™, participants will be notified to pick up the Burmese python skin at the University of Florida Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie.
While not every Burmese python skin is marketable, a few companies may be able to tan your Burmese python skin and return it to you or may purchase the skin from you. The following vendors have asked that we provide their information.
All American Gator Products for a fee can tan a Burmese python skin and fashion it into something you want. Or this company will provide information on where to obtain tanning chemicals to do it yourself. Brian Woods of All American Gator indicates he may be interested in buying Burmese python skins over 10 feet in length for about $80-$100. All American Gator Products can be reached at 954-868-8100, 954-894-8803 (cell) or online at www.allamericangator.com/.
Phil Kelton of Dragon Backbone also is interested in buying python skins. For a fee, he can tan them and fashion them into a product such as a wallet. This company will trade a knife for four python skins at least four feet long. Dragon Backbone can be reached at 352-454-7644 or online at www.dragonbackbone.com.
Pan American Leathers, Inc. may also be interested in purchasing Burmese python skins. Contact them at (978) 741-4150, or info@panamleathers.com.
Can people eat the meat of pythons harvested during the Python Challenge™?
Burmese pythons removed from Everglades National Park that have been tested for mercury levels had amounts unsafe for consumption by humans. Though it is not illegal to eat python meat, the FWC cautions that neither the Florida Department of Health nor the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have stated that python meat is safe to consume.
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Post by cpdad on Jan 14, 2013 21:25:39 GMT -5
glad you posted this rich....i read this thread last night pretty quick and wondered why kill these snakes if not for food or to help make a living from the hunt.
i understand the damage they are causing...no doubt...and should be removed without question...just kinda sad they cant be relocated....cool ass animals if ya ask me.
i was taught to never kill an animal unless i or someone else was going to eat it....or it was going to try and eat me ;D...i do suppose those fall into those snakes category ;D....also taught that to my kid.
we do kill hogs for being totally destructive to the land....but unless they are very old hogs.....we can find people to process them and eat or provide them to shelters for eatable meat.
we have hunters here that will shoot hogs....they are hated... hogs i mean...but turn around and take shot hogs....and then blow the bodies up with tennerite just for fun.....stupid.....instead of offering them to the food bank....who have processers that do it for free for the food banks to provide food for some.
anyway....kind of sad to see in a way....but needed....kev.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 14, 2013 21:55:50 GMT -5
I wonder who you contact to get in touch with those who would sell tanned skins. I would love a colorful python belt for one of my buckles.
Lee
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 14, 2013 21:57:33 GMT -5
That’s a hilarious way to start off my morning !!! and so appropriate I mean.. I was out grinding rocks all Sunday & now the hot water isn't working for my morning shower so I’m off on the job less than properly cultured Perhaps I’ll stop at Tom Waits Restaurant for lunch ? Waitresses says: Eggs & sausage a side of toast Coffee & roll, hash browns over easy Chili in a bowl with burger & fries What kind of pi ? mostly But I don't understand. Pi R Round...
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Post by mohs on Jan 15, 2013 11:32:50 GMT -5
O....I meant Py mOstly
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Post by rockpickerforever on Jan 15, 2013 13:42:02 GMT -5
Ouroboros!
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Post by parfive on Jan 15, 2013 15:47:21 GMT -5
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 15, 2013 16:26:01 GMT -5
*L* Now I'm not pro invasive species but I saw the TV interviews with some of the drunken aholes that showed up for the hunt and I believe they are the destructive invasive species. It looked like every half witted, gap toothed, kill crazy, great white moron, from across the country showed up for this hunt. And, I'll bet a lot of stuff which was not legal to hunt was shot up just for the Hell of it by these yokels. To me it looked like a good place to stay away from if a person had a lick of sense *L*....Mel
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Post by parfive on Jan 18, 2013 15:46:21 GMT -5
Ten more. Twenty-one total as of today. IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES (AP) — The man known as "Alligator Ron" has a lifetime of experience in the Florida Everglades, a fleet of airboats at his disposal and knows the habitats of furry prey for large reptiles. He still couldn't lead a pack of hunters to a single Burmese python.
That's the catch in Florida's "Python Challenge": Even experienced hunters with special permits to regularly stalk the exotic snake through Florida's swamplands are having trouble finding them for a state-sponsored competition.
It's hard to pin down exactly how many Burmese pythons slither through Florida's Everglades, but officials say their effect is glaringly obvious. According to a study released last year, sightings of raccoons, opossums, bobcats, rabbits and other mammals in the Everglades are down as much as 99 percent in areas where pythons are known to live.
It's believed that the pythons are devouring the native wildlife and officials worry the snakes' voracious appetite will undermine the ongoing, multimillion-dollar effort to restore natural water flow through the Everglades.
[State wildlife commissioner Ron] Bergeron led U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., into the Everglades to hunt pythons Thursday afternoon. They splashed from their airboat through knee-deep water into several islands that rise in small bumps above the sawgrass, but they always emerged empty-handed.
They didn't flush out any of the mammals Bergeron thought he'd see, either. The only thing they did find: signs of feral hogs, another problematic invasive species.
"Rabbits were like rats. Growing up, you saw them everywhere," said Jim Howard, a Miami native and a python permit holder participating in the contest. "I haven't seen a rabbit in 20 years. I don't see foxes. I hardly see anything."
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Post by parfive on Jan 31, 2013 3:29:22 GMT -5
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Post by Toad on Jan 31, 2013 8:48:28 GMT -5
That's hilarious, Rich. Makes you wonder if the problem is as bad as initially thought. Is anyone asking the wildlife 'experts' where all the snakes are?
Curious as to how a bunch of big snakes are impeding efforts to restore natural water flow as well...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2013 19:14:54 GMT -5
It's too early in the year. I think March is the good season. Now it's cold enough for them to be hiding.
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Post by Toad on Jan 31, 2013 22:29:09 GMT -5
Then I guess now wouldn't be the time to schedule it, eh? Wonder which wildlife 'expert' picked this time slot?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2013 15:53:54 GMT -5
timing COULD be to show a seeming lack ofpythons, on purpose. Perhaps to kill please for money by money grabbing bureaucrats.
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Post by Toad on Feb 7, 2013 22:35:57 GMT -5
Its been a month now, grand total of 50 snakes...
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Post by parfive on Feb 23, 2013 2:35:38 GMT -5
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Post by Toad on Feb 23, 2013 7:46:32 GMT -5
Beautiful!!
Did see a grand total on the python hunt - 68. Believe the scientists may have overstated the problem. Wonder if that has happened anywhere else...?
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itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
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Post by itsandbits on Feb 23, 2013 12:37:44 GMT -5
you guys just don't give up do you :<0 you'll be saying the same thing i guess when you look up and see your grandchildren eating bugs and living in caves :<)
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
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Post by bushmanbilly on Feb 23, 2013 13:58:10 GMT -5
you guys just don't give up do you :<0 you'll be saying the same thing i guess when you look up and see your grandchildren eating bugs and living in caves :<) Is that not the goal of every eviroMENTAL movement?
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on Feb 23, 2013 17:11:43 GMT -5
The natural balance is suffering from the pythons.Gators are at risk.They let the python wrap around them because they have no fear of them,until it's too late.Florida is a mess with the effects of introductions.The pleco algae eater,talapia,hogs and a variety of lizards and frogs occupy Ocala area.A little further south is where the snakes are.They won't do well in the open water of the St John's river-easily eaten by gators.Maybe they are smart enough to travel the swampy shoreline-they will be up here soon. Turtle season is July/August.They use long lines with hooks.One man caught enough turtles to get 300 pounds of meat on one line.I am against that.I have caught 2 alligator snapping turtles by hand weighing at least 100 pounds just guessing.A turtle that big is believed to be really old.There is not much meat in them.Peta people go after them-that is a useless practice.But pythons?Kill it w/any means you can.If you put yourself thru that much effort and danger you should be able to cut it's head off.Think about all the gators it slowly squeezes to death.
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