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Florida python hunter talks about Everglades, ‘Guardians of the Glades’ show

Discovery's Guardians of the Glades has put south Florida's python problem under a national spotlight and the show is returning for a second season.

The first episode of the second season will air on January 7 on Discovery and there's a pretty good chance if you watch the show you will get to see Dusty "Wildman" Crum.

That's how we do it in the Everglades son! January 7th only on Discovery Channel! Wooooooo! Floridaevergladescollection.com

Posted by Wildman on Wednesday, December 4, 2019

He’s one of dozens of python hunters waging war in the Everglades against invasive pythons that in recent years have decimated native mammal populations in south Florida.

News 96.5 WDBO spoke with Crum about the current situation in the Everglades and the upcoming season of Guardians of the Glades.

“We’ve been working hard putting this together.  We’ve got a new strategy, a new way of hunting, a lot of new and exciting things happening,” said Crum.

One new tool at python hunters' disposal is a new kind of camera developed at the University of Central Florida that will make it easier for hunters to spot pythons in the bush.  Crum says he has seen how the cameras work and he's excited about what they could mean for the fight to save the Everglades.

“We’ve been talking with those guys and working with them closely and we’re getting real close to setting up the cameras on the truck and we’re going to start with that,” said Crum.

Crum says the US Geological Survey has developed a testing kit that can detect DNA in the water, making it easier to identify and target concentrated python populations.

“We can pinpoint that and know exactly how many snakes are in the area and where they’re spreading to,” said Crum.

Crum says python hunters are making progress against the invasive pythons, but there is a lot more work to be done.

“The sad thing is, they’re still coming up.  So, we’re just doubling down our efforts.  You know, the state, the governor has stepped up...we’re going to have more access to more lands,” said Crum.

Crum has started tanning the skins of pythons he catches and using the material to make wallets, purses, clutches, belt buckles, and more.  You can see the entire Everglades collection by clicking HERE.

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