Today, she goes by the name “Python Huntress.” But when Amy Siewe first moved to Florida, she had abandoned a successful real estate business for her newfound passion of hunting the Burmese pythons threatening Florida’s native wildlife. She will talk about her experiences at J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island as part of its 2025 lecture series. Her presentations take place Thursday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Visitor & Education Center Auditorium.

 

Siewe was one of the first hundred hunters the state hired. She has bagged over 600 Burmese pythons. The biggest, which she captured by herself, measured 17’ 3” and weighed 110 pounds Siewe has raised close to $600,000 by donating hunts to charity auctions.

 

The skilled hunter has appeared on several TV programs, in documentaries and magazine articles, and on podcasts. The New York Times, National Geographic, Time Magazine, The Today Show, Fox & Friends, and Reader’s Digest are among media to have featured her.

 

Siewe also runs her own guiding service to take people out on python hunts. Out of her love of snakes and a desire to make something good from their demise, she turns their skin into leather products, some of which you will be able to purchase in the Refuge Nature Store.

 

DDWS co-hosts Siewe’s “Burmese Pythons in the Everglades” lectures, part of a seven-lecture series, with the refuge and sponsored by Susan and Cliff Beittel. Note: Opinions expressed in guest lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of refuge and DDWS management, staff, and board of directors.

 

Seating for the free lectures is limited on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can check in after 9 a.m. for the morning lecture and 12 p.m. for the afternoon and obtain an entrance wristband so they can explore the Visitor & Education Center or Wildlife Drive and trails before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time or risk being reassigned.

 

Below is the calendar of upcoming scheduled lectures. Book-signings will follow all starred (*) lectures. For more information about the lecture series, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/lecture-series.

 

*Feb. 6 – “Python Huntress” Amy Siewe, “Burmese Pythons in the Everglades” – Sponsors: Susan & Cliff Beittel

*Feb. 20 – Author Charles Sobczak, “The Great Florida Invasion – From Pepper to Pythons” – Sponsors: Friends of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society

*Feb. 27 – Author/photographer Budd Titlow, Bird Brains: Inside the Minds of our Feathered Friends – Sponsor: A Friend of “Ding” Darling

March 13 – Actor Joe Wiegand,  “President Teddy Roosevelt Reprised” – Sponsors: Heather & Bill O’Keefe

 

NOTE: Book signings will follow all lectures marked with an asterisk (*)

 

ABOUT DDWS

As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or [email protected].