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In the Arena: “Python Huntress” Amy Siewe
TRCP’s “In the Arena” series highlights the individual voices of hunters and anglers who, as Theodore Roosevelt so famously said, strive valiantly in the worthy cause of conservation.
Amy Siewe
Hometown:: Kettering, Ohio
Occupation: Professional python hunter and guide in South Florida
Conservation credentials: Siewe has dedicated her life and career to the capture and removal of invasive Burmese pythons, endemic to Southeast Asia but wreaking havoc on native wildlife in the Everglades. She not only offers guided hunts and goes after snakes on her own – which can top out at almost 19 feet long – but assists researchers working to tag and release male “scout snakes” with transmitters to help find breeding-age females and their nests. Siewe also helps raise money for conservation and other nonprofit efforts, having brought in nearly $600,000 through charity-auctioned hunts for organizations including Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve and The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks.
“Python Huntress” Amy Siewe is one of those rare individuals who pursue their passion for an unlikely dream and find phenomenal success. Growing up exposed to wild snakes, she was always drawn to and fasciniated by the reptiles, and later became a volunteer at the Toledo Zoo in college, as well as an exotic pet breeder and educator. She eventually moved into a 13-year, more comfortable career in real estate in the Midwest. Then she began to see news coverage of Burmese python hunts in the Everglades. These incredibly successful apex predators, which were first detected in Florida in the late ‘70s, have since become the invasive wildlife species of top concern in the Everglades.
Six years ago, Siewe took a vacation to see if she could capture one of the invasive pythons. After catching her first snake (a nine-footer), she was hooked, and resolved then and there to do whatever it took to spend her days – and nights – chasing after the evasive predators across South Florida. She walked away from her real estate business and headed to the subtropical U.S. to start a business guiding clients as the Python Huntress, since featured in stories with The New York Times, National Geographic, Time Magazine, and CNN. Working for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and in her own business, she has captured more than 600 snakes as one of the best-known python hunters in the state.
Here is her story.
My dad instilled in me a deep appreciation and respect for nature, teaching me from a young age how to catch and admire all kinds of creatures. From the moment I saw my first snake, I was captivated. That fascination only grew, leading me to a lifelong passion for catching, studying, and even breeding these incredible reptiles.
My passion for snakes is what makes me excel at my job. I have tremendous respect for the Burmese python, but I also have immense respect for Florida’s delicate ecosystems. The reality is clear — these invasive predators must be removed, as there is no alternative. I capture them and ensure they are euthanized in the most humane way possible. It’s not their fault they are here, but protecting our native wildlife means making the tough but necessary choice.
One of my most memorable outdoor adventures happened one night when I was alone in my truck. I spotted a small part of a python pattern in the grass at the tree line. I jumped out and followed the pattern a couple of feet up to its head — the biggest I had ever seen. The rest of its body was hidden, but I knew it was a monster. I only had a small 6-by-6-inch black drawstring bag. (In the veterinary and pet world, we would cover an animal’s head or eyes to calm it down.) I looked at the bag and looked at the snake… questioned my sanity… and jumped on it!
Somehow, I managed to slip the bag over its head—and just like that, the battle was over. It stopped fighting and was completely subdued. Turns out, it was 17’3” long and 110 lbs. (GoPro video here; warning, contains profanities.) That was an unforgettable catch!
“My office is the Everglades. I get to work in one of the most diverse and beautiful places on earth.”
There’s nowhere I’d rather be than hunting invasive pythons right here in South Florida. There is no greater thrill for me than capturing massive pythons. They’re incredibly difficult to find, which makes the moment of discovery an adrenaline rush — and the catch even more exhilarating. While my journey to Florida began with the excitement of hunting these giants, I quickly came to understand the devastating impact they’ve had on the ecosystem. In some areas of the Everglades, pythons have wiped out a full 98 percent of the mammal population (including deer, raccoons, and opossums), leaving a once thriving habitat in crisis.
My office is the Everglades. I get to work in one of the most diverse and beautiful places on earth, catching the giant constrictors and helping to save our precious everglades in a life that I didn’t know existed, until I did. I couldn’t do that if people didn’t care about conservation. So conservation not only benefits our wild places, but also makes my work possible.
“In some areas of the Everglades, pythons have wiped out a full 98 percent of the mammal population.”
Burmese pythons are a major conservation challenge. They thrive in an environment that is 97 percent inaccessible to humans. You can’t simply walk into the swamp and expect to find them. Instead, we rely on spotting them as they cross roads and levees. Adding to the difficulty, these snakes remain motionless for nearly 85 percent of their lives. Their intricate patterns offer a perfect camouflage in this environment. Every one of these factors makes finding them an incredible challenge.
In Florida, we have over 500 non-native plants and animals, with pythons being the most destructive wildlife species. If we don’t find a solution, our native mammals could face extinction. Losing even one native species from the ecosystem sets off a domino effect, leading to catastrophic changes down the line.
This has implications for the next generation of hunters and outdoor users. If invasive species go unchecked, native wildlife will vanish, leaving Florida overrun by non-native creatures that don’t belong. The ecosystem will be forever altered, and Florida will no longer be the place it was meant to be.
Images courtesy Amy Siewe
TRCP Cheers Senate Introduction of MAPOceans Act
New legislation will increase accessibility to saltwater recreational fishing regulations and marine waters navigation information
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership celebrates Senate introduction of the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act. The MAPOceans Act will direct the standardization, consolidation, and digitization of boating and recreational fishing information for federally managed marine waters and federal fisheries administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This bill will enhance and expand recreation opportunities by investing in modern technology commonly found in smartphone applications to provide anglers, boaters, and other users with the information they need to safely and legally enjoy offshore waters and federal saltwater fisheries.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Angus King (I-Maine).
“The complex regulations of saltwater angling in America should not keep people from enjoying their sporting opportunities,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “The MAPOceans Act will help ensure that boating and recreational fishing information are digitized and readily available to our nation’s saltwater anglers and recreationists. TRCP thanks Senator Cruz and Senator King for their leadership to introduce and advance this important public access legislation.”
The MAPOceans Act builds on the success of the MAPLand Act, passed in 2022, and the MAPWaters Act, which passed out of the House of Representatives in January 2025, by directing NOAA to digitize navigation and recreational use rules for marine waters and federal fisheries, and to make those resources readily available to the public. The hundreds of thousands of offshore ocean miles and numerous saltwater fish species regulated by NOAA present enormous recreational opportunities where restrictions are difficult to access and constantly changing. MAPOceans directs the federal agency to compile those rules in digital form so they can be integrated into GPS units and smartphone applications that are popular with boaters and anglers, making that information available to the public in real time.
This newly digitized public information would include:
- Status information on which waterways are open or closed to entry or watercraft, low-elevation aircraft, or diving.
- The areas of waterways with restrictions on motorized propulsion, horsepower, or gasoline fuel.
- Types of watercraft that are restricted on each area of a waterway, including the permissibility of motorboats, non-motorized watercraft, personal watercraft, airboats, amphibious aircraft, and oceangoing ships.
- The location and geographic boundaries of fishing restrictions on recreational and commercial fishing, including full or partial closures, no-take zones, and fishing restrictions within or surrounding marine protected areas.
- Fishing regulations concerning specific types of equipment or bait, such as restrictions on the use of circle hooks, descending devices, and trolling.
To help educate hunters and anglers on this suite of important, bipartisan, access legislation, the TRCP launched the MAPping Public Access webpage that breaks down the history, status, and relevance of the MAPLand, MAPWaters, and MAPOceans Acts.
Learn more about TRCP’s work to improve your access to public lands and waters HERE.
Photo credit: Rimlight Media
The Science of Chronic Wasting Disease: Why Every Hunter Should Care
Addressing the silent threat to deer, elk, moose and our hunting traditions
Imagine sitting in your favorite deer stand at dawn, the crisp autumn air filling your lungs. You scan the tree line, waiting for a familiar sight – the graceful movement of a whitetail buck stepping into view. But what if that buck was sick? What if it showed no fear, moved erratically, or looked alarmingly thin? This is the reality of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), an often invisible but devastating threat to deer populations and the future of hunting.
What Is CWD and Why Should Hunters Care?
CWD is an always-fatal disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. It attacks the brain and nervous system, causing drastic weight loss, strange behavior, and eventual death. CWD is caused by prions – misfolded proteins that spread like a domino effect, corrupting healthy proteins. Unlike other diseases, there’s no vaccine, no cure, and no easy way to stop it. As it spreads across North America, CWD threatens not just wildlife but the hunting traditions that have been passed down for generations.
How CWD Spreads
CWD spreads in multiple ways:
- Direct Transmission (Horizontal Spread) – When an infected animal comes into close contact with a healthy one, it can pass the disease through saliva, urine, feces, and even antler velvet.
- Environmental Contamination (Indirect Spread) – Prions can linger in soil, water, and plants for years, infecting animals that come into contact with these contaminated areas.
- Mother-to-Offspring Transmission (Vertical Spread) – There is growing evidence that infected mothers may pass CWD to their offspring, though this pathway is less common.1
Unfortunately, human activities can worsen the problem. Moving live deer or improperly disposing of carcasses can introduce CWD into new areas, making its spread even harder to control. Where CWD has already been established, activities that artificially concentrate animals, like feeding, baiting, or mineral supplementation, can increase spread.
The Impact on Hunting and Conservation
For hunters, CWD isn’t just a wildlife disease, it’s a direct threat to our sporting traditions. Deer hunting generates billions of dollars annually for local and regional economies.2 If deer populations decline, hunting opportunities shrink, and funding for conservation efforts could take a major hit.
What TRCP is Doing
The TRCP is working to slow the spread of CWD alongside the wild deer and elk hunting communities, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Fish and Wildlife Health Committee, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners CWD Work Group, and the National Deer Association’s CWD Coalition. Here’s how:
- Advocacy for Funding and Research – The TRCP and our partners are working to ensure hunters have the tools they need to help protect wild deer and deer hunting, both through individual actions and through federal policy.
- Education – The TRCP and our partners work together to provide hunters with science-based information on disease prevention, transmission risks, and management strategies.
- Research and Surveillance Collaboration – The TRCP partners with agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state wildlife departments to improve disease detection and inform policy decisions.3
What Can Hunters Do Right Now
Hunters play a crucial role in managing CWD. Here’s how you can help:
- Get harvested deer tested for CWD to help track and manage the disease.
- Follow carcass transport and disposal regulations to prevent the spread of infected material.
- Make informed choices about activities that artificially concentrate wild deer, like feeding, baiting, and mineral supplementation.
- Stay informed and advocate for science-based CWD management to ensure policies protect both wildlife and the future of hunting.
The Road Ahead
CWD is a serious challenge, but hunters have always been the backbone of conservation in North America. By taking responsible action, supporting research, and advocating for sound policies, we can help slow the spread of this disease and preserve our hunting traditions for generations to come. The fight against CWD isn’t just about protecting deer – it’s about protecting the future of hunting itself.
You can learn more about Chronic Wasting Disease HERE
Citations
- Haley, N. J., & Hoover, E. A. (2015). Chronic wasting disease of cervids: Current knowledge and future perspectives. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, 3(1), 305-325. arav3Haley 305..325
- U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
- Thompson, N. E., Huang, M. H., Christensen, S. A., & Demarais, S. (2023). Wildlife agency responses to chronic wasting disease in free‐ranging cervids. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 47(2), e1435. Wildlife agency responses to chronic wasting disease in free‐ranging cervids.
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act Introduced in the Senate and House
Lawmakers have introduced the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act to boost a crucial Farm Bill program that creates public hunting and fishing opportunities on private land.
The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025 has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Senator Marshall (R-Kan.) and in the House of Representatives by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). This bipartisan, bicameral bill would strengthen one of the most critical Farm Bill programs for America’s hunters and anglers: the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). VPA-HIP is the only federal initiative that helps to create public hunting and fishing opportunities on private land and this new legislation reauthorizes the program at triple its prior funding level. This reinforces the full Farm Bill that House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson’s (R-Pa.) introduced last Congress, which proposed a similar funding increase to this critical program. Bipartisan, bicameral bills like this are rare and show the value of this program to leaders across the political spectrum.
“State-led access programs are hurting this year without support from VPA-HIP, and including the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act in a 2025 farm bill would be a major positive development for hunters and anglers,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We are thrilled to see such an influential, bipartisan group of leaders recognize the importance of increased hunting and fishing access by introducing this legislation. Thank you, Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson, for your leadership and support.”
The legislation would invest $150 million over the next five years in the VPA-HIP, which provides grants to states and Tribes to be implemented at the local level. This increased investment was among the recommendations made by TRCP’s Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group in its Farm Bill platform and has been echoed by groups across the hunting and fishing community.
What they are saying:
“On behalf of the nation’s recreational fishing industry, the American Sportfishing Association thanks Senators Daines, Marshall, and Bennet, as well as Representatives Dingell and Johnson for their leadership of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “This legislation will support and enable landowners to provide fishing access on private lands, opening valuable waters to anglers. The reauthorization and expansion of VPA-HIP will strengthen a program that has allowed access to private lands since 2008, creating memorable days on the water for America’s anglers.”
“We greatly appreciate Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson introducing the House version of the VPA Improvement Act. As we entered discussions of the 2023 Farm Bill, extending and expanding the impact of VPA-HIP was one of Delta’s highest priorities,” said John Devney, chief policy officer at Delta Waterfowl. “As duck hunters across the country look for additional access, increased investments in VPA HIP can lead to new partnerships with private landowners to enhance habitat and also provide access. We hope that the effort by these leaders will lead to a broader bi-partisan effort to include an expanded VPA-HIP in the final Farm Bill.”
“There are dozens of state programs throughout country that help open public hunting access on private lands, but one common thread is that VPA-HIP is the unsung hero that makes much of that access possible,” said Ariel Wiegard, vice president of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “The economic returns for rural communities in VPA-HIP have been shown many times over, and increasing funding for the program is one of our top priorities in the next farm bill. Access is at the core of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission, and we thank Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson for their leadership and support for this very successful program.”
“Hunting access is one of the most significant barriers for both new and experienced hunters,” said Kellis Moss, Ducks Unlimited managing director of federal affairs. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act is a win-win for sportsmen and landowners, and we thank Sens. Daines, Bennet, Marshall for leading this bipartisan effort in the Senate, as well as Reps. Dingell and Johnson for their leadership in the House.”
“We are proud to support Representative Dingell’s, and Representative Johnson and Senator Daines’, reintroduction of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act,” said Nick Pinizzotto, president and CEO of the National Deer Association. “Reauthorizing and strengthening the Act will ensure that landowners and sportsmen alike can continue to benefit from sustainable wildlife management and habitat preservation for generations to come.”
VPA-HIP is the single best federal tool for increasing recreational access on private lands by helping states create innovative ways of incentivizing private landowners to open their lands to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation. It also has a very special place in the hearts of TRCP’s staff and supporters, as it was championed by our inspirational co-founder, Jim Range, before his untimely death. The program was established and funded through the 2008, 2014, and 2018 Farm Bills—most recently at $50 million over five years—with its impacts felt across the country.
Apart from creating more outdoor recreation access, VPA-HIP funding is also utilized to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners for wildlife habitat improvement and enhancement projects. It is often layered with other Farm Bill programs that have habitat benefits, such as Conservation Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Easements. And the program allows states to address liability, alleviating a roadblock for many landowners to open their lands to the public.
Studies estimate that the VPA-HIP has a more than eight-to-one return on investment in the form of outdoor recreation spending in rural communities.
Watch a video about some of the many benefits of VPA-HIP below.
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
TRCP has partnered with Afuera Coffee Co. to further our commitment to conservation. $4 from each bag is donated to the TRCP, to help continue our efforts of safeguarding critical habitats, productive hunting grounds, and favorite fishing holes for future generations.
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