Florida snake hunter wrestles 16-foot python into submission

May 12 (UPI) -- A Florida snake hunter hit the jackpot when he presented officials with his latest catch: a nearly 17-foot python worth $375.

Dusty "Wildman" Crum, participating in the South Florida Water Management District's Burmese python hunt, made $375 from the district for nabbing the giant snake.

The district pays snake catchers $8.10 per hour while hunting, plus $50 for catching a 4-foot python and $25 for each additional foot.

Video of Crum's catch shows him sneaking up on the snake and wrestling it with his bare hands.

"Biggest snake I ever caught in my life right now," Wildman said.

The district said the 16-foot, 10-inch python is the largest caught during the current round of hunting, but the all-time record is 18 feet, 2 inches.