Python Cowboy

Who is Python Cowboy?

Mike "Python Cowboy" Kimmel is a licensed wildlife trapper of invasive and dangerous species, contracted python hunter, and owner of Martin County Trapping and Wildlife Rescue. www.pythoncowboy.com

Topics and Timestamps

• 01Mike 'Python Cowboy' Kimmel runs Martin County Trapping and Wildlife Rescue, specializing in removing invasive Burmese pythons from Florida
• 02Pythons in the Everglades have become an ecological disaster, decimating native wildlife populations including deer, raccoons, and birds
• 03Python hunting requires specialized training, equipment, and knowledge of snake behavior to safely capture dangerous 15+ foot constrictors
• 04The python population in Florida is estimated in the tens of thousands with no realistic way to completely eradicate them
• 05Python Cowboy works with contractors and government agencies to control the invasive species population through active hunting
• 06The invasion started from escaped or released pet pythons that thrived in the warm Florida climate and lack of natural predators
• ▶Introduction to Python Cowboy and his business0:00:00
• ▶How pythons invaded Florida and the population explosion0:05:00
• ▶The ecological impact on native wildlife populations0:15:00
• ▶Techniques and safety protocols for hunting and capturing pythons0:35:00
• ▶The reality that complete eradication is impossible0:55:00

The Show

Joe sits down with Mike Kimmel, the legendary Python Cowboy, to talk about one of Florida's most bizarre ecological catastrophes. Mike runs Martin County Trapping and Wildlife Rescue and has become the go-to guy for removing Burmese pythons that have taken over the Everglades and surrounding areas. This isn't some niche problem either - we're talking about thousands of massive snakes that shouldn't be anywhere near Florida.

The whole situation started because people kept pythons as pets, and when they got too big or expensive to care for, they just released them into the wild. In an environment with no natural predators and a climate that's basically python paradise, these things exploded in population. Now they're absolutely decimating the native wildlife. Deer populations are collapsing, raccoons are disappearing, and the ecological balance is totally out of whack.

Mike explains what it actually takes to hunt these snakes. We're not talking about some casual thing where you just walk around the Everglades. These pythons can be 15, 16, 17 feet long, and they'll absolutely kill you if you're not careful. The hunting requires specific skills, equipment, and knowledge of snake behavior. Mike talks about the actual techniques used to locate and safely capture these things without getting bit or having the snake escape.

One of the craziest parts is just how many pythons are actually out there. Government estimates put the population in the tens of thousands, and that might actually be conservative. The realistic truth is that eradication isn't possible at this point. They're too established, too widespread, and they breed too fast. The best anyone can do is control the population through active hunting and removal programs.

Mike gets into the business side of it too. He works with contractors, government agencies, and sometimes private property owners to catch and remove snakes. It's dangerous work, it requires licenses and training, and it's become this strange but necessary industry in Florida. The conversation touches on how people's decisions to own exotic pets and then abandon them have these massive ripple effects on ecosystems.

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