Iguana
Why Hunt Them in Puerto Rico?
Why This Invasive Iguana Is Bad for Puerto Rico
“Over the past few years, Puerto Rico has been dealing with an exploding iguana population. Originally brought to the island as pets, the lizards now outnumber people and are wreaking havoc on agriculture, infrastructure, and even air traffic, causing millions of dollars in damages. Since the reptiles have no natural predators in Puerto Rico to control the population, conservationists are seeking alternative ways of combating the problem. “ National Geographic
Puerto Rico has a massive iguana problem. These reptiles cause destruction on a scale of millions of dollars a year. From collapsing roads, buildings, airstrips, pools and just about every man-made structure with their cavernous egg dens. They are also destroying agriculture and consuming resources other, smaller native lizards need to survive. The island’s iguana population is a very real danger to the economy and ecosystem of the island. To the fruit farmer, iguanas can mean the loss of their whole crop. They consume fruit and the flowering blossoms that produce the fruit. Disaster can come from even a single iguana in a tree, as fruit damaged by a lizard’s tail is unable to be sold at market. They are found on the entire island, and provided with ideal habitat and climate, and lack of a natural predator to keep them under control, iguanas are poised to call Puerto Rico home indefinitely.
Meet our Guides
My name is Felix, I was introduced to air gunning at an early age thru my father. As a teenager, I loved going into the woods with my Crossman 357-8 .177 pellet gun I had and just spend hours walking the woods of the Bronx / Yonkers borders and hunt squirrels. When I got older I started modifying and fixing Air Guns / rifles for friends of friends and it became a hobby, fast forward 20+ years and I’m full circle in Puerto Rico. Except this time the toys are better and the prey is larger. The green Iguana is a smart, agile, and abundant game which will give you a run for your money. It takes much skill to bring down an Iguana perched on a tree 30/40 feet, up in a tree with the limbs moving side to side from the warm tropical breeze. My expertise with these animals come from years of hunting them from farm to farm. Knowing their habits and behavior is necessary. I have the experience that can guide a person into a successful, safe, and fun exciting hunt.
Eric was one of the harvesters on our very first venture in Puerto Rico. As a professional hunting and fishing guide, for the last 20 years, he has taught many about what the outdoors must offer. He is a licensed falconer and, in addition, is called upon to rescue anything from bald eagles to white tailed deer and ensure that they get to the correct rehabilitation facility. Married to his high school Sweetheart for over 32 years, they reside on Maryland’s eastern shore, hunting, and fishing the famed Chesapeake Bay.
Jim grew up in New England hunting and was always drawn to nature as a small kid. He got in to the harvesting business to help Countries with invasive pest animals. As a professional pest management shooter in Arizona he brings his skills to this environment and passes it on to the customers for real fun and knowledgeable hunts. These modern-day PCP Air Rifles are amazing tools for this craft.