I cannot support this bill with the lack of knowledge concerning the extent of the “invasion” of imported snakes in the Everglades and it’s impact on the environment. The research is incomplete and appears to be based on the fact that you can occasionally see large snakes crossing the roads in the everglades. There are several different types of large snakes proven to be there, why are only the burmese pythons being chosen for the hunt? There are thousands of burmese python keepers in this country and countless keepers from other countries who can attest to the fact that properly managed these snakes are not a threat. Why are you calling for the extermination of them? And lastly, if the have been in the Everglades for nearly 40 years have they not established themselves are part of the environment? What is the impact of removing them? Do the research before you allow a bunch of hunters to tromp through one of our natursal resources and possibly make a huge mistake.

This is another bill based on propaganda and hysteria disguised as “science.” Shouldn’t we at least require some sort of peer-reviewed, legitimate studies before proposing such drastic measures which would likely CAUSE MORE HARM to the ecosystem??? There is no objective evidence showing that Burmese pythons are negatively impacting indigenous wildlife in the Everglades. The only evidence being used is one sided garbage. The “scientists” behind all of this pick and choose a handful of singular anecdotes to “prove” the pythons are devastating indigenous wildlife. That’s either dishonest or incompetent. They ignore the FACT that many indigenous animals prey on the pythons. For real irony, go to the USGS website that is spreading the hysteria. The picture they show is of an ALLIGATOR EATING A LARGE BURMESE PYTHON!!

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1875

Pythons really don’t eat that much (maybe once ever few months.) And what they do it includes pest animals.

This legislation appears to be nothing more than ecological engineering at its most devious. Why do we need legislation to remove the Burmese Pythons only? Why do we need federal legislation to be tailored to a state? There is not a sole alive that knows what the everglades were even remotely like in the 1800’s and there was quite possibly nobody that lived in the 1700’s that would have recognized them then. There is no scientific authority that truly believes that the everglades will ever return to their former majesty, Florida is a highly developed state that has severely impacted a natural environment and tailor made it to fit our desires. If legislation is required on a federal level scrap this worthless turd and introduce legislation regarding ALL nonnative kingdoms of life forms all the way down to the sub-species level. Generate a bill that will allow for the disposition of even feral cat and dog populations. Quit wasting time, effort and money and give us something meaningful.

personally I feel its much better than the ban. I feel that burms are most definately damaging to the glades, and while there are other creatures that are more so, why not get something of use from the wild burms? however I would prefer if use of the meat was required. yum