The Florida Everglades is an extraordinary ecosystem unlike any other in the world! It is home to a variety of rare and unique wildlife including a diversity of native birds, mammals, fish and reptiles.
However, some reptiles do not belong there and pose a threat to native wildlife. To address this, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District are teaming up with the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida to bring back the Python Challenge™ in January 2020! The Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl, sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, is an exciting conservation effort that will help protect the rare Everglades habitat and the animals that live there from these invasive, nonnative snakes.
Prizes
Register and compete to win one of two TRACKER Off Road 570 ATVs provided by Bass Pro Shops. These popular off-road vehicles feature class-leading front and rear suspension for a smoother ride. Get the most pythons in your competition category and one could be yours!
Both Pro and Rookie python hunters have an opportunity to win. Prizes will be awarded by the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida with funding and prizes provided by Bass Pro Shops. Prize winners will be announced at the public awards ceremony on Jan. 25 at the Superbowl LIV event. You must be present to win!
Prize amounts for the python removal competition:
|
Prize |
Pro | Rookie |
| Most Pythons Grand Prize | TRACKER 570 Off Road ATV
(Retail Value over $5,000) |
TRACKER 570 Off Road ATV
(Retail Value over $5,000) |
| Longest Python Grand Prize | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Every person who turns in a python as part of the Python Challenge™ will be eligible for a random drawing for additional money and prizes. Active duty military personnel and veterans who register for the competition will be eligible for additional prizes.
Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl Registration
We’re looking for a few good men and women to help us manage wild Burmese pythons in Florida. Think you are up to the Challenge? Here’s how to register.
You can participate in the Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl as a Rookie or Pro. Separate prizes will be awarded for each category with special recognition and prizes given to veteran and active members of our armed services!
Competitors can work in teams, but all participants must register. Pythons can only be turned in under one participant’s name.
All Python Challenge™ participants are required to take the free Online Training Module and pass the quiz by getting at least 80% of the answers correct before registering. If you haven’t taken the online training and passed the quiz, STOP and go to the Online Training Module. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the online training.
What is the time frame for the Florida Python Challenge 2020 Python Bowl?
The python removal competition begins at 10 a.m. on Jan. 10, 2020 and ends at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020.
Where are competitors in the Florida Python Challenge 2020 Python Bowl allowed to remove Burmese pythons?
Only Burmese pythons removed from the following list of participating areas are valid entries for the Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl Python Removal Competition.
- Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area
- Frog Pond Public Small Game Hunting Area
- Rocky Glades Public Small Game Hunting Area
- Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area
- Holey Land Wildlife Management Area
- Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area
- Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area