Florida Governor Announces 2022 Python Challenge

Hunters will have the opportunity to compete for thousands in cash prizes during the 2022 Florida Python Challenge. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the competition during a press conference earlier in June.

According to Baynews9.com, registration is open now for the annual competition, which will take place Aug. 5-14 in the Everglades. Those interested must first take required online training to participate in the competition.

The competition is being held in an effort to help rid the Everglades of the invasive pythons, which have negatively impacted the region’s ecosystem. The snakes feed on native birds, mammals, and other reptiles. More than 16,000 Burmese pythons have been removed since 2000.

DeSantis recently signed the Freedom First budget, which invests up to $3 million to aid in the python removal.

“The Everglades is one of the world’s most prized natural resources, and we have invested record funding for Everglades restoration projects, including record funding for removal of invasive Burmese pythons which wreak havoc on the ecosystem,” said DeSantis. “Because of this focus, we have removed record numbers of invasive pythons from the Everglades. I am proud of the progress we’ve made, and I look forward to seeing the results of this year’s Python Challenge.”

In 2021, participants in the challenge removed 223 Burmese pythons from the Everglades — more than double the number from 2020. 

You can register and learn more about the 2022 Florida Python Challenge here.

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