by Wesley Harris
Anna Ribbeck developed a love for archery while attending LSU. She participated in archery tournaments and became a bow hunter. Today she is a communications specialist with the LSU AgCenter, but is best known as “Anna the Archer,” one of the newer stars on the hit reality show “Swamp People.” Not only can she hunt her dinner, she can clean it and cook it, like her tasty swamp rat (nutria) pizza!
I caught up with Anna to get an update on her busy life before the filming of Season 16 of “Swamp People” begins.
LPJ: How did you go from posting videos on YouTube promoting archery to becoming a big star on “Swamp People”?
Anna: My mission has always been to promote safe and ethical archery practices, and the opportunity of a lifetime came my way two years ago to take archery to an international TV platform! The producers of “Swamp People” really loved my archery abilities and wanted to highlight it on the show.
LPJ: I know you appeared on “Wheel of Fortune” years ago, but did you ever see yourself becoming a TV star?
Anna: When I was a kid, I dreamed of starring in TV commercials! My mom didn’t want to disrupt my childhood, so I never auditioned (I’m very appreciative of that). The opportunity to star on “Swamp People” came out of the blue, and it’s like living my childhood dream!
LPJ: Do many fans approach you when you are out in public? What’s that like?
Anna: I usually get recognized when I travel out of state. I think “Swamp People” has a massive fan base outside Louisiana. Although I did get recognized in my local Walmart the other day! It’s such an honor when a fan approaches you! I have found “Swamp People” fans are genuinely so nice. I always carry gator scutes (the scales from an alligator’s skin) in my purse so I can give them out to fans if they come up to me.
Each gator season, fans from around the country travel to Duffy’s in Pierre Part to watch us unload gators! My favorite part is getting to meet young fans! I invite anyone who wants to meet the swampers to come out to Duffy’s this gator season.
LPJ: Any close calls when filming “Swamp People”?
Anna: Yes, plenty! The most dangerous situation I encountered occurred on my first day of filming. Ashley and I had just pulled a ten-foot gator in the boat, and it came back to life! It swung its head around trying to bite my foot and I was able to pull my knife and put it to bed permanently. That got my adrenaline pumping.
LPJ: I’m sure you’ve heard criticism of gator hunting, but you are a committed conservationist, right?
I am 100% a conservationist. Most of the criticism I receive against gator hunting comes from social media. I understand not everyone wants to hunt, but it’s so important to teach folks why is hunting is a huge part of conservation, from the purchase of hunting licenses and fees that fund conservation, the excise taxes on guns, ammo and archery equipment as well as the actual management of the species through harvest.
Without hunters, wildlife populations and habitat would suffer. I love being part of the hunting conversation on social media. Not everyone wants to listen, some people want to fight, but some genuinely want to learn. As a hunter and conservationist, it’s so important to teach others why hunting is a vital part of conservation. If we lose hunting, we lost a major part of wildlife conservation.
LPJ: Tell us about your job at the LSU AgCenter.
I’ve been with the AgCenter for five years, working as their first-ever social media strategist. I have built a strong social media presence for the AgCenter focusing on communicating research-based educational information to the public. My strategy has grown their social following by over a 100,000 followers, reaching millions of users annually. This has resulted in an increased presence for the AgCenter, more help provided to the public, and more support for our farmers.
LPJ: What’s next for Anna the Archer?
Currently, I’m gearing up for gator season which starts August 28. I’m hoping for no hurricanes and cooler weather! I’m also working on more great educational video content for my social media–@annathearcher. I encourage anyone interested in Louisiana culture, food, foraging, etc. to follow my pages on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. (see facebook.com/AnnatheArcher)
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Anna has a master’s from LSU in soil and plant sciences with a focus on invasive aquatic plant species. Her work supporting Louisiana agriculture can be accessed at facebook.com/LSUAgCenter
