Former “Python Challenge” winner Taylor Stanberry says the timing of this year’s challenge should lead to lots of invasive snakes in the bag.

Eating its prey can be a process for a python, which is why it relies so heavily on its jaw to get the job done, including consuming a whole deer.

Python hunters should wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and bring tools like a flashlight and snake hook. Novice hunters must humanely kill pythons immediately at the capture site; firearms are ...