Kelsi McKee has been writing poetry and stories since she was old enough to scratch words on paper. She completed her first novel when she was 18 and continues to write while balancing a full-time job in the news industry. Originally from Northwest and a graduate of Texas A&M, Kelsi has enjoyed adventuring across the country and making her way to her current home in South Carolina. Away from pen and paper, Kelsi enjoys her time on the golf course and of course, cheering on her Aggies.

Kevin Martone balances a busy professional life with his passion for the outdoors. A nationally recognized expert in mental health and the Executive Director of a national non-profit, Kevin’s business travels enable him to enjoy the local culture and landscape in states throughout America. From Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, to New England and across the South, Kevin creates opportunities in the outdoors whenever and wherever he can. Kevin spends his personal time hunting, fishing, trail running, and enjoying sunsets with his wife, Sasha, on the dock of their family pond.

Robin Young is a senior pre-law student at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, majoring in Criminal Justice with minors in Psychology and Intelligence and Security Studies. She is an adventure-lover at heart with a passion for the outdoors and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. In her free time, you can find Robin spending time with her dogs or her two horses named Izak and Too, hiking in a new city, playing the acoustic guitar, or at the gym. Robin is an active member of the Chi Chapter of Delta Delta Delta and the Ole Miss Equestrian Team.

Will Hensley has been chasing fish with a fly rod since he was a young child. His first fly rod was gifted to him by his Grandfather at the age of five. Together they covered Colorado’s backcountry in search of native trout, large and small. Will began tying flies at eight years old, which sparked his curiosity for not only the art of fly tying and the multitude of fly fishing techniques, but the entomology behind it. From there, he began participating in youth fly tying competitions, all while spending as much time on the water as he could to hone his craft. His mission is to promote the outdoors in order to preserve it, and to inspire others to do the same. He supports likeminded local and global environmental organizations who work to ensure the survival and safe keeping of our wild places and wildlife. Currently, Will is a full time fly fishing guide in Middle Tennessee.

Edgar Castillo is a recently retired law enforcement officer for a large Kansas City metropolitan agency. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for twelve years. Edgar was born in Guatemala, and when his family came to the U.S., his father, a new bird hunter himself, would take Edgar afield in search of roosters and bobs. Edgar’s passion lies in the uplands as he self-documents his travels across public lands throughout Kansas and the U.S., hunting open fields and prairies, walking treelines, & bustin’ through plum thickets, in a never-ending chase to hunt wild birds in wild places. You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @hunt_birdz

Joshua Quong grew up in the small town of Glen Allan, MS in the Delta. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature and philosophy at Mississippi College and a Master’s Degree in eduction from Ole Miss.He taught high school English in North Mississippi for the past 20 years. He lives with my wife Sally and two children Nora and Ray on their family hunting preserve they call Little “q” Ranch where they have run guided quail hunts for the past 11 years.

Joe Heusinger, owner of Creek & Cackle Outfitters, has been guiding throughout the Catskill Mountains of New York for over 5 years. Having grown up knee deep in streams fly fishing for trout and tangled in the uplands chasing pheasant and ruffed grouse, he now spends over one-hundred days a year on the water and in the field. His goal as a guide is to connect like-minded people through experiences and tradition in the outdoors. Joe is an active member of Trout Unlimited, the Ruffed Grouse Society, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and numerous other conservation groups. To learn more about Creek & Cackle Outfitters’ guided trips and packages visit them online at www.creekandcackle.com and on Instagram @creekandcackle.

Abby Carlton was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, where her and her family never shied away from a road trip or flight to a new city. She loves exploring new places she’s never been before and creating traditions around spots worth returning back to. Whether it’s making someone smile or laugh, or spending a little time out of her day helping others out, Abby is always appreciating the little things that help her choose joy each day. Abby currently lives in Oxford, Mississippi and enjoys traveling to visit her family on the Mississippi Coast and back in Louisiana, which will always be home.

Beka Garbutt is southern born and raised and currently resides in Northeast Mississippi. She loves a good view of nature whether from the top of a mountain after a hike or simply admiring the sunset from the front porch. Travel usually takes her to visit family in an effort to maintain her “cool aunt” status with her growing number of nieces and nephews. She believes laughter is the best medicine and is happiest when surrounded by those she loves.

Rebekah Iliff is an award-winning humor writer, author, and entrepreneur raised in the midwest living in the south. After spending over 15+ years in the technology industry as a company co-founder, she developed a knack for turning difficult topics into digestible stories and loves giving people the unexpected laugh. Her work has been featured in publications ranging from Fast Company and Forbes to Weekly Humorist and the Erma Bombeck Blog. She released her first book, Champagne for One in February 2022. She is the owner/founder of Free Dreaming Farm, her personal sanctuary where she writes, develops, and produces both client commissioned work and her own creative projects. Rebekah’s favorite part of the day is sitting on the back stoop, watching the sunset with her husband and pup.