At the beginning of this year, a competition was held to boost awareness about one of the Everglades’ most imposing invasive species — the Burmese python. The event set 1,600 hunters from 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada on a mission to harvest the most pythons and the longest python during the month-long competition period.

Hunters who participated in the competition tallied a total of 68 Burmese pythons during the event, which ran from January 12 to February 10.

Despite the impressive harvest, the competition proved challenging. The Burmese python population in the area is estimated at around 100,000, but they are notoriously difficult to locate, presenting a significant challenge to the hunters.

“You can go out there for days and days and not see one python,” stated snake hunter Justin Matthews. “It doesn’t matter how much experience you have; it is going to take some luck.”

Brian Barrows took home the $1,500 Grand Prize for harvesting the most Burmese pythons, bagging six in the General Competition. The $1,500 Grand Prize for the most harvested pythons in the Python Permit Holders Competition went to Ruben Ramirez, who harvested 18.

Paul Shannon won the $1,000 prize for harvesting the longest Burmese python in the General Competition, measuring 14 feet, 3 inches. In the Python Permit Holders Competition, Blake Russ took the $1,000 first prize with an 11-foot, 1-inch-long python.

In addition to reducing the invasive species population and raising awareness, the hunters contributed valuable data about Burmese pythons to the commission.

“Thanks to the determination of the competitors, we are able to gather invaluable information that will help refine and focus combined efforts to control pythons in the Everglades,” said the commission’s executive director in a news release.