Re: 17 foot python...
Gotta hand it to gummint. They've brought in professional "snake hunters" and attempted other methodology that is simply squandering taxpayer's hard earned money.
When I was a yoof (been practicin' my eubonics) my county paid a two dollar bounty on fox. Cut off the ears, take 'em the courthouse ... walk away with two US Yankee Greenback Dollars Cash Money. No cheatin' ... had to be two ears ... they wouldn't pay one dollar for one ear.
I don't believe that it (bounty) would require such largesse, as your referenced hundy. Twenny 'r thirty should drastically reduce the population. It could also lead to a new cottage industry .... python boots, python belts, python skin jewelry, organic python meat ... Use your imagination. Kill 'em for the bounty, but stay for building a business.
Those hunters will receive $375. Probably make as much, cutting off the head, collecting a twenty-five dollar bounty ... and harvesting the rest. Python meat, python skin hatbands, python skin boots ... A little more work, far more money.