Paralegal & Huntress Liberte Austin: Legally Blonde

Hog hunting is bigger — and better — in the Lone Star state according to paralegal and social media star Liberte Austin

Name: Liberte Austin
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Age: To quote Oscar Wilde: “One should never trust a woman who tells one her real age. A woman who would tell one that would tell one anything.”
Instagram: @liberteaustin

Liberte Austin was born and raised in Austin, Texas. And no — this is not her legal name (more on that later) but a tribute to her professional law background and her admiration for Texas. When Austin isn’t winning in the courtroom, she’s hunting and fishing and posting her outdoor adventures for more than 173,000 followers on Instagram. She also combines both of these passions working with HunterShield, which provides legal defense for hunters and anglers. “HunterShield is my baby right now,” she says. “I get to work with amazing companies all the time — I’m very blessed — but this particular project feels very much my own.” No objection here.

Q: You have an amazing name. Was it given to you by your parents or…?

Liberte Austin is a pseudonym I created to protect myself online. A girl can’t be too careful these days. It is a combination of my love for the statue of liberty, freedom and the city I grew up in.

Q: What sparked your interest in hunting?

I love the idea of doing something adventurous and kinda dangerous at the same time. When I’m alone in the woods I feel like I can take on the world.

Q: You are a tactical shooter: If you were a gun, what gun would you be and why?

A Texas made, STI International 2011 DVC Limited. Of course.

Q: Let’s talk hog hunting. Where is your favorite place for a hog hunt?

Texas is a great place to hunt hogs because there are so many different ways you can hunt them legally. From night optics, helicopters and even hot air balloons, Texas does it right.

Q: How big was the largest hog you took home?

300 pounds, easy.

Q: Why hogs?

With any other animal I hunt, there is a sense of emotion that goes along with taking a life. When I’m exterminating hogs there’s no emotion, I simply feel like I’m doing my part to help our environment.

Q: You are also a paralegal who loves to fish. Which fellow paralegal would you rather go deep sea fishing with: comedian Ellen DeGeneres or President Abraham Lincoln and why?

Neither, it would have to be Erin Brockovich. I feel like both Ellen and Abe would be overly political to converse with. Ruins the fishing.

Q: On your blog, you mention that you didn’t have female companions when you first started hunting. How do you think social media has helped change the community of female hunters?

There has been a flurry of female hunters since I started hunting and I think it’s wonderful. I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing ladies through social media.

Q: You were a “vegan hunter”? Please explain.

Although I’m not a full vegan anymore, a vegan hunter eats only raw vegan meals except for meat harvested themselves. I love animals and I came to hate the treatment of cattle in the meat industry simply to satisfy our eating habits. While I am no longer a vegan, I still only try to eat ethical meat and limit most animal by-products such as dairy.

Q: With surf and turf probably off the table for Valentine’s Day, what is your advice for men who want to take their ladies on an outdoorsy date?

If you want to take your lady to a special place that includes a little bit of the outdoors, a lot of wine, some shopping and amazing scenery, take your woman to Fredericksburg, Texas. You can thank me later.

Q: “If I give you my number will you promise to kale me?” is one of our favorite vegan-inspired pick-up lines. What’s yours?

My heart is certified cage-free, so my love can roam to you.