• The Florida panther's watchful gaze- Courtesy- Ralph Arwood

    Big Cypress

    National Preserve Florida

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  • Fire Activity

    Currently there is fire activity within the Preserve. More »

  • 2013 Zone 4 Closure

    Beginning at 12:01 am Monday, April 8, 2013, the Zone 4 airboat access within Big Cypress National Preserve will be closed due to low water conditions. More »

  • Interstate 75 Mile Marker 63 Closure

    Beginning summer of 2013 the rest area and backcountry access at mile marker 63 will be closed due to construction. More »

  • Campground Closures

    Beginning Monday, May 13 through Friday, August 16 camping will be available at the Midway Campground and the “loop” in the Bear Island Campground within Big Cypress National Preserve. All other established campgrounds will be closed. More »

Big Cypress National Preserve Announces a Partner With Hunters Program To Help Control Burmese Pythons

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Date: August 31, 2009
Contact: Bob DeGross, 239-695-1107
Contact: Ron Clark, 239-695-1106

On August 28, 2009 Big Cypress National Preserve Superintendent Pedro Ramos announced the Partner With Hunters program to assist in the control of reptiles of concern, particularly Burmese pythons, within the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. This program is being implemented in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Order Number EO 09-08 establishing special regulations to aid in control of reptiles of concern listed in Rule 68A-6.007(1), F.A.C. which are a threat to native wildlife. The Big Cypress Partner With Hunters Program will allow hunters to take reptiles of concern within Big Cypress National Preserve, provided:

1) Reptiles of concern as listed in Rule 68A-6.007(1)(a)-(f) are taken during established seasons for the taking of game animals and only by persons properly licensed and permitted to take game animals.

2) Reptiles of concern shall not be removed from the areas alive.

3) Persons who take any reptile of concern shall report the take within 36 hours, and shall provide all data requested.

4) Guns are a prohibited method of take for Reptiles of Concern, except when the use of guns to take game on the areas is authorized and only to the extent that guns are authorized.

5) This program will take effect on September 5, 2009 with the start of archery season within Big Cypress National Preserve.

Hunters wishing to participate in this program will be able to receive more information on details at Big Cypress National Preserve wildlife check stations and at the Oasis Visitor Center.

Did You Know?

Researchers gather data from a bear that was removed as a nuisance.

Please do not feed any of the wildlife within the preserve. A "fed bear is a dead bear." This bear was fed and eventually became a threat to visitor safety. Nuisance wildlife is sometimes removed, but typically does not survive.