Amy Siewe, a former real estate professional, recently shared her unique career change on Fox News Saturday Night with Kat Timpf. Trading in property listings for python hunting, Siewe expressed her complete satisfaction with this dramatic shift. Residing in Florida, where these invasive snakes threaten the ecosystem and residents, she's found a calling that goes beyond a typical 9-to-5.
Siewe, who dedicated 13 years to the real estate world, revealed that she's not alone in her pursuit of these giant reptiles. She highlighted the growing community of female python hunters in Florida, emphasizing that the shared passion transcends gender. "It's not about male or female," she explained, "it's about the snakes. We're all fascinated by them. I hunt with both men and women, sometimes in groups, sometimes solo."
Siewe described her hunting process, which involves driving slowly along levees and roads in a truck equipped with an elevated platform. With gear at the ready, she and her fellow hunters scan the landscape for any sign of pythons. Upon spotting one, they quickly disembark and capture the snake alive, later dispatching it humanely.
Afterward, Siewe brings the pythons back to her condo, a practice that initially worried her, given her neighbors' potential reactions. However, her concerns were unfounded. Instead of apprehension, she found enthusiastic support. Her neighbors, initially snowbirds unfamiliar with her unique hobby, have become her biggest fans, even assisting with skinning the snakes. This shared interest has fostered a strong sense of community.
Siewe encourages other enthusiasts to participate in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) annual python challenge in August. This event aims to control the burgeoning python population. She cautioned, however, that python hunting isn't as simple as it may seem. The snakes are masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly into their environment. Finding them requires expertise and a keen understanding of their behavior.
