Meet Our Quail & Pheasant Hunting Guides | Mississippi Upland

From a young age, Tyler Fenton fell in love with watching dogs work. Growing up, he owned several dogs, but none quite scratched the itch that upland hunting had planted in his heart. Guided by his father, who raised and hunted over Brittanys, and by longtime bird hunting mentor and guide Tony Holifield, Tyler developed a deep appreciation for the breed and the traditions that surround the sport.

Eventually, Tyler purchased a Brittany from Mr. Tony, and from that moment the addiction began. Like many bird hunters, Tyler believes the greatest part of any hunt isn’t the birds themselves, but watching a good dog do what it was born to do.

Today, Tyler’s passion extends beyond the field. With two boys of his own, he holds a deep desire to invest in the next generation. As a guide at Mississippi Upland, his goal is not only to introduce young hunters to the excitement of upland hunting, but also to lead them toward a life centered on Christ. For Tyler, preserving the traditions of bird hunting and sharing his faith go hand in hand, making every hunt an opportunity to build lasting memories and meaningful relationships.

Shannon Hill, a native of Ellisville, Mississippi, brings a genuine love of bird hunting, plenty of experience, and a healthy dose of humor to every hunt at Mississippi Upland. Now entering his third season as a guide, Shannon has become a favorite to spend a day in the field with.

Shannon got his first taste of quail hunting at a young age while hunting with a neighbor. Like many Mississippi sportsmen, he grew up as a traditional dove and duck hunter, but everything changed when he got his first German Shorthaired Pointer. From that point on, Shannon dove head over heels into upland bird hunting and never looked back.

Today, Shannon is a dedicated German Shorthaired Pointer hunter who enjoys nothing more than watching good dogs work good bird country. He hunts with his three dogs—Spec, Charm, and Ace—and enjoys pursuing birds both close to home in Mississippi's National Forest and on trips to Kansas, where he gets the opportunity to hunt wild birds in a completely different environment.

Known for his quick wit and sense of humor, Shannon has a way of keeping a hunt relaxed and entertaining while still making sure his customers have a safe, memorable day in the field. He genuinely enjoys getting to know the hunters he guides, and his personality makes him just as enjoyable around the lodge as he is behind a brace of bird dogs.

Whether you're an experienced upland hunter or heading into the field for the first time, Shannon is always ready to share a few laughs, work some good dogs, and find some birds.

Come hunt with Shannon at Mississippi Upland and experience a South Mississippi bird hunt with a guide who truly enjoys every part of the day.

Adron Presley, from Laurel, Mississippi, brings a love of the outdoors, family, and bird hunting to the team at Mississippi Upland. A proud Marine Corps veteran, Adron is now entering his third year of guiding and has become a valued part of the Mississippi Upland family.

Adron is a dedicated German Shorthaired Pointer hunter who enjoys spending time in the field with his two GSPs, Scout and Sage. For Adron, though, bird hunting is about much more than finding birds. He especially enjoys introducing young hunters to the outdoors, taking kids on their first hunts, and helping mentor the next generation of sportsmen and women.

Family is also a big part of Adron's life. His wife, Johanna, and their daughter, Madeline, share his enjoyment of the outdoors and the sporting life, making bird hunting something the entire family can enjoy together.

Adron's easygoing personality, patience with young hunters, and genuine enjoyment of time spent in the woods make him a wonderful guide and an important part of our team.

Come hunt with Adron at Mississippi Upland and enjoy a day in the field with a guide who believes the best hunting traditions are meant to be shared and passed along.

Drake Fenton may be one of the youngest members of the Mississippi Upland team, but he already has years of experience working bird dogs and guiding hunters. Drake began working dogs and guiding at just 14 years old and has been around Mississippi Upland since the beginning.

Drake and his German Shorthaired Pointer, Firecracker, love spending time together in the woods and field. When he isn't chasing upland birds, Drake is also an avid duck hunter and enjoys just about any opportunity to be outdoors.

Currently a student at Northeast Jones High School, Drake has developed a reputation for being patient, hardworking, and attentive to the little things that make a hunt special. Hunters who spend a day with Drake often come back asking to hunt with him again, which says a lot about the young guide he has become.

We're extremely fortunate to have Drake on the Mississippi Upland staff, and we're excited to see what the future holds for this young man.

Come hunt with Drake and Firecracker at Mississippi Upland and enjoy a day in the field with one of the next generation of Mississippi bird hunters.

Tony Holifield, from Purvis, Mississippi, brings more than 25 years of upland guiding experience to Mississippi Upland, and we couldn't be more excited to have him guiding with us full-time this season. A retired National Guard veteran, Tony brings experience, patience, and a genuine love of people and bird hunting to every day in the field.

Tony's passion for upland hunting began as a boy, hunting birds alongside his grandfather. Today, he takes special pride in passing that tradition along. He's never too busy to slow down for a first-time hunter or a young person, showing them the ropes and teaching them not only how to hunt, but how upland hunting should be done—with safety, respect, patience, and appreciation for the dogs and the outdoors.

Tony is also a passionate advocate for the American Brittany. He cares deeply about the breed and enjoys sharing with hunters what makes these dogs such exceptional upland companions. Tony has five female Brittanys of his own that he hunts regularly at Mississippi Upland, and watching him work with his dogs is part of the experience.

Tony is great with customers, quick with a story, and knows how to make a day in the field memorable. And if the birds start flying, you'd better be ready—Tony is known for overseeing some of the best Wild West shootouts you'll find at any preserve!

Whether you're an experienced wingshooter, bringing a child on their first hunt, or picking up a shotgun for the first time, Tony will make you feel right at home.

Come hunt with Tony at Mississippi Upland and experience upland hunting the way it's meant to be.

Jacob’s passion for upland bird hunting began unexpectedly during a turkey hunting trip to Pennsylvania. While in camp, he was invited to try pheasant hunting for the first time. One hunt was all it took—he was hooked. Since that day, Jacob has dedicated countless hours to pursuing upland birds behind talented bird dogs and immersing himself in the traditions of the sport.

A devoted German Shorthaired Pointer enthusiast, Jacob enjoys training, hunting, and watching bird dogs do what they were bred to do. His passion for upland hunting has taken him across the country, and each year he looks forward to traveling to Kansas and Wisconsin in pursuit of wild pheasant, quail, and grouse. Whether walking a Kansas shelterbelt, chasing grouse through northern timber, or introducing others to the sport, Jacob appreciates every opportunity to spend time outdoors with good dogs and great company.

For Jacob, upland hunting is about much more than harvesting birds—it’s about the friendships, memories, and experiences created in the field. His enthusiasm for the sport continues to grow with every season, and he enjoys sharing that passion with fellow hunters and newcomers alike.