Mid-Ohio Valley’s Dave Hackathorn to Star in “Swamp People: Serpent Invasion”

Waverly python hunter Dave Hackathorn will appear on the History Channel’s “Swamp People: Serpent Invasion” this January. He joins other hunters to tackle the invasive Burmese python crisis in the Florida Everglades, which threatens the native wildlife. Hackathorn, known as Hillbilly Dave, aims to raise awareness of the dangers these snakes pose and hopes to establish himself as a regular on the show.

PARKERSBURG — Prepare for a wild ride as Waverly python hunter Dave Hackathorn is set to make his debut on the History Channel’s “Swamp People: Serpent Invasion” this January. Renowned for his hunting prowess, he joins a cast of familiar names like Troy Landry and Bruce Mitchell to combat invasive Burmese pythons in the picturesque yet perilous Florida Everglades, where these serpents pose a significant threat to the local ecosystem.
Known affectionately as Hillbilly Dave, Hackathorn acknowledges the deadly impact of pythons, which have decimated native wildlife, including raccoons and bobcats, in Florida over the past thirty years, leading to alarming declines in local populations. “Now they’re going after alligators,” he remarked, highlighting the urgency of the hunt as these invasive snakes claw their way up the food chain.
Burmese pythons, originating from Southeast Asia, were set loose into the wild by pet owners and those who escaped from pet shops after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Hackathorn, a seasoned hunter with eight years of experience, finds deep connection in the Everglades, where he assists friends running a hunting charter. He eagerly travels to Florida each January and February during the breeding season, with his wife Chris at his side, albeit as a supportive bystander.
“They contacted me to help,” reveled Hackathorn, acknowledging the producers’ outreach for expertise. His debut episode airs January 2 at 9:30 p.m., and he hopes to become a recurring figure in the series. After filming last May, Hackathorn expresses excitement about showcasing his skills while raising awareness about python hunting.
In terms of hunting regulations, Florida facilitates the capture of pythons without requiring a permit or license, allowing year-round hunting under humane guidelines on designated lands. The initiative is a response to an explosion in python populations, which saw annual captures surge from 600 to around 3,000 post-2017 after the Python Action Team was established.
Every August, the Florida Python Challenge incentivizes hunters with a hefty $10,000 grand prize, fostering awareness and action against the invasive species. However, complete eradication remains a lofty, perhaps unrealistic, goal, as the pythons continue to thrive in their South Florida haven. Hackathorn notes the size of the bounty collected for each python, increasing with the snake’s length, with hides valued for their versatility.
The adventure of python hunting brings its own risks, with bites occurring frequently, as the snakes act defensively rather than as predators. Hackathorn, who has suffered bites himself, stresses the importance of caution: “I’ve been bit a lot of times,” he said. Python hunting blends the thrill of pursuit with the stark reality of nature’s dangers, showcasing the resolve needed to confront these formidable foes.

The article highlights Dave Hackathorn’s upcoming appearance on the show “Swamp People: Serpent Invasion,” which focuses on the urgent issue of invasive Burmese pythons in Florida. It explains Hackathorn’s experience and role in combating these snakes, detailing the harmful effects of pythons on the native wildlife and the regulations around hunting them in Florida. Hackathorn’s personal insights provide deeper context to the challenges faced by python hunters in the Everglades.

Hackathorn’s journey to the small screen underscores the grave environmental impact of invasive species like the Burmese python. His stories and experiences shed light on the challenges faced by those attempting to control the python population in Florida’s Everglades. The show not only entertains but also educates viewers about the importance of ecological balance and the relentless pursuit to restore it, one snake at a time.

Original Source: www.newsandsentinel.com