Well, this is a different way to handle a pest problem… Florida has had an ongoing problem with Bermese Pythons. The critters have been threatening Florida’s ecosystem for years and Florida is finally doing something about it. They’re turning to the public now to get this problem under control. It’s sort of a different approach to the problem but if it gets the problem taken care of then why not?! They’re trying to get this under control because the populations of rabbits, foxes, raccoon, opossums and bobcats have disappeared and have dropped as much as 99%.

The approach is to have a hunting contest with the public. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the 2013 Python Challenge beginning in January.

A grand prize of $1,500 will go to the person who kills the most pythons. $1,000 will go to the person who kills the longest one. But, don’t think you can be sneaky because road kill will not be eligible.

Participants will have to pay a $25 registration fee and complete an online training course. The training course will focus on safety while hunting pythons.

The Python Challenge has closed off four specific areas where the snakes can be hunted, and the park is off-limits to the general public.

For more information, click here.