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, recently received his Nursing degree at Mississippi College and works at University Medical Center.  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.    

Johnathan Latham, Gloster, MS, is our newest guide; get your deer with Johnathan quick because he puts pressure on himself to get the deer of your choice; I’m talkin’ this guy looses sleep over your hunt.  Johnathan is a freshman at Southwest Mississippi Community College, studying to become a licensed electrician.  At this time, he is the “Arm Wrestling Champ” at Tatum Plantation .  Come try him. 

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”.

Randall “Randy” McKey, Gloster, MS, is a real southern gentleman and attends Mississippi State .  Even though he’s a bulldog, we love him.  Randy joined the team at Tatum this summer during construction of the lodge.  He ran the saw shop, restoring antique lumber.  After his summer term, Slade invited Randy to become a Guide-in-Training.  Randy scouts deer, along with other tasks, to insure you an enjoyable stay.“

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 Priest  is “Livin’ the Dream”!   While attending Belhaven College , he developed a business plan to make his dream come true.  During his senior year in college, he started Country Boy Outfitting, LLC.  Slade not only helps manage the plantation, he works with other landowners to manage their wildlife.  Slade books and guides hunts at several other locations in Mississippi .  He has been featured on Step Outside, American Hunter, Hunters Journal, Next Generation.  Slade's fiance, Robbie Lynn, is one of the hostesses at the lodge. Their marriage is planned for April 2008.  Contact Slade at 601-888-0094 for a great adventure. 

Talmadge “Tal” Priest enjoys life!  He is a sophomore at Southwest Mississippi Community College .  He is an avid outdoorsman; his love is duck hunting.  This past summer, with a little help from his friends, Tal designed and built the “Duck Condo”; a floating  duck blind complete with six shooting positions, a hiding place for his boat, and Ace’s own dog box.  You’ll be quite comfortable when  you hunt with Tal; the “condo” offers the creature comforts of heat and food.  Tal will cook you up a great appetizer  while you hunt.   We consider Tal the “Grillmaster” at the lodge.  With his cooking equipment and special “Don’t Ask ‘cause I Ain’t Telling sauce,  he’ll grill a backstrap, elk steak or wild hog that will make you want to “slap u  mama”.  Be sure to sample Tal’s pickles during your stay. 

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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