Our Staff at Tatum Plantation

The owners have worked to find and train only the best hunting guides.  Our experienced guides work hard to provide you a hassle-free hunting adventure.  They have hunted at Tatum Plantation for years.  Their job is to listen to your needs and provide you a memorable experience at Tatum Plantation . 

We take pride in introducing the experienced and accommodating guides at Tatum Plantation :

“Uncle” Rusty Priest, St. Francisville , LA , has been promoted to “Super Scout” status; i.e. he’s just the old man ‘round here. He’s a great host; he'll make you a great cup of coffee and keep the lodge fires burning; he’s a great storyteller and will run an errand for you anytime; Rusty’s like an old hound dog when it comes to finding wounded deer. 

John Vincent, Baton Rouge, LA, received his Nursing degree at Mississippi College and has been accepted to Our Lady of the Lake Nurse Anesthetist school in the fall of 2009. John has recently been to Belize to help build a church and enjoys mission work. He has been “hangin’ out” at Tatum since his high school days and knows every inch of the property. John was one of the first original guides here; he has never had a hunter go
home without a deer of a lifetime; he boast
that he’s 100% successful at Tatum.

Elijah Vincent, Baton Rouge, LA,  is, without
a doubt, the most aggressive, competitive hunter you will ever meet; he’s also one of the biggest eaters around.  Elijah loves to guide the kids, young or old.  He’s always ready for a competitive game of ping pong or pool.  Elijah is in Nursing School at Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge . Elijah has proven to John he can beat him at anything, or so he thinks.  If you hunt with Elijah you can count on extreme hunting.

John and Elijah became friends with the Priest family during their high school years at Centreville Academy ; Renee considers them her other sons.

Cragg Fitz, Amite, LA, is just a good ‘ol boy and  enjoys every minute spent at Tatum.  During hunting season, you’ll hear “Cragg,
we need you”; he’s ready to video you hunt or lend a helping hand around the plantation;   Cragg is our sneaky guide; he always knows where there’s a big buck unknown to the other guides. Cragg works with the Tangipahoa parish Sheriff's Department. 

Johnathan “JRob” Robertson, Ellisville , MS ,
is Director of Operations at Catfish One (www.catfishone.net), a family owned company with franchises throughout the southeast.  Honesty
and integrity wrapped up in one package;
it’s hard to compare our guides ‘cause
they’re so darn competitive.  

Chris Norris, also known as “Chuck” Norris, Natchez, MS,  and Slade became friends in college.  Chris recently graduated from Belhaven College plans to attend law school. Chris always finds time for hunting and guiding at Tatum; probably one of the best guides at identifying individual bucks.   

Forrest Rollins, Centreville, MS, and Slade are lifelong friends; they started kindergarten together, and played baseball together through their high school years; after receiving a baseball scholarship, Forrest left for college at Belhaven, rooming with Slade throughout their college days; they both pursued degrees in Business; Forrest worked this past summer on the construction and design of the lodge.   Forrest knows this place like the back of his hand; he’s an avid bow hunter and knows deer well.  Forrest recently graduated from Belhaven , Jackson, MS,  in May, 2007.  He is “Mr. Manners”.

Molly and “Miss” Kathleen keep the big house running; you’ll enjoy their homemade peach and pear preserves, along with their muscadine jellies.  Their homemade blueberry jam compliments their “made from scratch” pound cakes. 

…

Slade received his Business degree at Belhaven College and has managed the wildlife at Tatum Planation for several years. His business, Country Boy Outfitting keeps him busy in the hunting industry. Slade also works with Mossy Oak Properties. Call him for your land and timber needs.

Talmadge “Tal” Priest enjoys life! He is a junior at Southeastern Louisiana University. He is an avid outdoorsman; his love is duck hunting. We consider Tal the “Grillmaster” at the lodge. With his cooking equipment and special “Don’t Ask ‘cause I Ain’t T elling sauce, he’ll grill a backstrap, elk steak or wild hog that will make you want to “slap u mama”.

Cliff watched Slade grow up. Cliff has joined our team as a "Rookie", but no one gives him a hard time with his towering physique. "He's really just a teddy bear."

Renee Priest is a true Southern lady; her dream was to build the lodge;  she  designed it and served as the general contractor during construction.  Renee plans meals, and coordinates the “behind the scenes” chores.  She helps Alan and Slade with their day-to-day secretarial needs and maintains the web site.  If she could just find a way to create a beach at Tatum, maybe she would spend more time there instead of at their second home in Florida . 

Alan Priest loves to see guests enjoying what he (and the good Lord)  have created at Tatum Plantation.  He is the owner of several companies, including CST Timber Company, named after the first initials of his children.  He and his wife, Renee, have been married for over 25 years and Tatum Plantation is their dream come true.  If there’s anything you need during your stay, he’s usually around to give a helping hand. 

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