Up to $10,000 offered in Florida for hunting giant pythons in the Everglades | Requirements and how to participate
The annual hunt returns to the Everglades as officials step up efforts to control one of Florida’s most destructive invasive species.
Hunters can now register for the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, a competition that offers a $10,000 grand prize to the participant who removes the most Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
The Florida Python Challenge was created as a conservation initiative aimed at raising awareness about invasive species in the Florida Everglades, particularly the Burmese python, which poses a major threat to native wildlife because it does not belong in the ecosystem.
What Burmese pythons look like and why they are dangerous
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Burmese python is one of the largest snakes in the world. Adult Burmese pythons captured in Florida typically measure between 6 and 9 feet long, while the largest python ever captured in the state measured more than 18 feet.
The snakes are light brown with dark blotches along their backs and sides. They have pyramid-shaped heads with a dark arrowhead marking extending toward the nose. Because they are semi-aquatic, they are commonly found near or in water.
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When is the 2026 Florida Python Challenge?
The python hunting competition begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 10, 2026, and ends at 5:00 p.m. ET on July 19, 2026.
How to participate in the Florida Python Challenge 2026
Before registering, participants must read and understand all competition rules, complete the mandatory online training course – which takes about 45 minutes – and pass the final quiz with a minimum score of 85%.
According to the official Florida Python Challenge website, participants must also follow the regulations for each of the eight competition sites:
- Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area
- Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area
- Everglades National Park
- Frog Pond North Public Small Game Hunting Area
- Holey Land Wildlife Management Area
- Rocky Glades Public Small Game Hunting Area
- Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area
- Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area
The registration fee is $25 and is nonrefundable. Participants receive a T-shirt after completing registration, along with a confirmation email.
To register, applicants must provide their name, email address, phone number, address, city, state, ZIP code, date of birth, and proof that they completed the required training course.
For more information, participants can visit the official Florida Python Challenge 2026 website.
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