Fort Myers hunters score big during Python Challenge
***WARNING, GRAPHIC PICTURES***
-
Four In Your Corner's Colleen Hogan has more of the details from the winners of the hunt. Video by fox4now.com
video
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The two winners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife sponsored python hunt in the Everglades are both from Southwest Florida.
Paul Shannon, 30, of Ft. Myers, took first place and $1,000 for bringing in the longest snake.
The snake measured at over 14-feet.
His hunting partner Brian Barrows also took a $1,500 first place prize for most snakes brought in (6).
He describes what happened after they spotted the 14-footer, running under some mud.
"As soon as it started turning on him, I said, 'Man drop it!' He drops it and as soon as he drops it, it jumps at him," Shannon said.
FWC officials say more than 1,600 hunters signed up for the month-long hunt that ended Saturday. Hunters brought in 68 snakes. Seven of those were from Shannon and his hunting buddy Brian Barrows, also of Ft. Myers.
Shannon says though both men are avid outdoorsmen and hunters, they've never hunted snakes before. He says his dad encouraged him to sign up 'for the tee-shirt and hot dog.'
Colleen Hogan, reporter
chogan@jrn.com
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.