Congressman Francis Rooney (R) is heading out on a hunting trip to Big Cypress Swamp next month, but the kind of hunting he will be doing is not what you think.

While most avid hunters look to mount a wild boar or deer onto their wall, Rep. Francis will brave the heat, humidity, mosquitos, snakes, and alligators, to try to ‘bag’ himself an elusive and invasive Burmese python that continues to threaten wildlife in the Everglades.

The snake problem in the Everglades has reach crisis levels, prompting local wildlife officials to call of an open season on the reptile.

“I am looking forward to hunting these devastating and invasive snakes. The python is a predator impacting the delicate balance of the ecosystem across the Everglades and the State of Florida.  Innovative ideas such as the Python Elimination Program incentivize members of the public to assist in removing this invasive species and remind us that we all have a vested interest in restoring the Everglades.”

Francis added:

“The python hunt also attracts national attention to all the issues affecting the Everglades, including necessary funding and completion of CERP projects which are so critical to restoration efforts…I am employing every means available to work toward solutions that will solve our water quality issues in the quickest and most efficient means possible.”