Our Team
Mike Maynor
Co‑Founder & Editor‑at‑Large
If Feathers & Whiskey were a campfire, Mike would be the one stoking the flames—quietly working the coals while spinning a tale that holds the whole circle rapt. Armed with a Mass Communications degree in TV Broadcasting and a well‑worn toolkit of Adobe tricks (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere—he speaks them all fluently), Mike turns raw ideas into the polished pages and vivid images that define our brand.
When he’s not coaxing pixels into shape, you’ll find him outdoors with a rifle, a fishing pole, or both. Ducks at sunrise, whitetails in November—those are his true liturgies. He’s tracked kudu beneath the acacia shade and felt the African dust cling to his boots—twice—and he carries a bit of that red soil in every story he edits.
A shelf full of Hemingway and Ruark dog‑eared from use, a glass of good whiskey within reach, and a blank spread in InDesign waiting for the next great adventure—that’s Mike’s natural habitat. He’s the voice reminding us that a clean layout should feel like an open field, and a sentence should land like a well‑placed shot.
Robbie Perdue
Co‑Founder & Digital Trailboss
Where Mike keeps the stories burning, Robbie makes sure the smoke signals reach the world. A veteran of both server rooms and cattle pens, he cut his teeth in Information Technology by day and livestock farming by dawn and dusk—raising, harvesting, and butchering his own stock until time and mileage nudged him toward gentler pastures. The knives still get a workout on weekends, though nowadays they’re more likely carving brisket than quartering hogs.
At Feathers & Whiskey, Robbie is the quiet pulse behind every pixel: building our websites, tuning the blog, wrangling backups, and patching code. If it lives on a screen, Robbie’s the guy who keeps it fed, watered, and humming.
BBQ is his love language—oak‑smoked, low‑and‑slow, with bark that crunches like autumn leaves. Pair that with a smoky single malt and a fresh set of analytics, and he’s in his element: proof that good code and good meat both rely on patience, heat, and just the right amount of spice.
Gunner Hall
Host, Feathers & Whiskey Podcast
If Feathers & Whiskey had a front porch, Gunner would be on it—boots up, drink in hand, swapping stories with whoever pulled up a chair. A lifelong bird hunter with a love for wide skies and pointing dogs, Gunner brings the rhythm of upland tradition to every conversation behind the mic.
He hails from Savannah, Georgia, where the moss hangs low and the recipes run deep. A passionate cook and wild game enthusiast, Gunner believes that a good hunt doesn’t end in the field—it ends at the table, with friends, flavor, and maybe a little smoke in the air.
By trade, he’s a sommelier and spirits expert with years in the wine and beverage industry, pairing the perfect bottle with everything from quail to quiche. On the Feathers & Whiskey Podcast, he blends that refined palate with a thoughtful curiosity—guiding listeners through stories of culture, conservation, adventure, and the people who live at the edge of tradition.
Contributors
Feathers & Whiskey is built on more than words and photographs — it’s built on people. Our contributors are the lifeblood of this brand. Some lend their voices to the pages of our magazine, sharing stories from the field, the kitchen, or the road. Others work quietly behind the scenes, shaping what we do with their expertise, creativity, and dedication.
The folks listed here are more than occasional collaborators — they’re regular contributors and essential members of the Feathers & Whiskey family. Their passion, talent, and grit help us keep the stories flowing, the fire burning, and the Southern spirit alive.
Edgar Castillo
A recently retired law enforcement officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Edgar Castillo knows a thing or two about grit, discipline, and walking the hard miles. But it’s the uplands of Kansas that truly call to him—where wide-open skies and wild birds test a hunter’s heart and legs alike.
Edgar spends his seasons crossing public lands with boots on the ground, camera in hand, and bird dogs at his side—self-documenting every trek through open fields, along treelines, and deep into plum thickets. His pursuit of wild birds isn’t just a pastime; it’s a way of life rooted in freedom, tradition, and a deep respect for the land.
Cecil Cherry
Born and raised on a tobacco and hog farm in Eastern North Carolina, Cecil Cherry grew up with mud on his boots and a shotgun never too far out of reach. A retired law enforcement officer, Cecil now enjoys the slower pace of rural life—though his idea of “slow” still includes early mornings in the duck blind and treks through the uplands.
He’s a devoted field-to-plate hunter, taking pride in cooking and savoring every harvest—whether it’s a plump dove breast, a wild boar roast, or a perfectly grilled venison backstrap. For Cecil, hunting isn’t just a pastime — it’s a way of life, and the next season can’t come soon enough.
Samantha Comey
Born and raised in the heart of Florida ranch country, Samantha Comey grew up with the values of land, livestock, and a love for the outdoors woven into her everyday life. Hunting and hard work weren’t weekend hobbies — they were part of her family’s rhythm and faith-filled roots.
God’s plan carried her west to Texas, where she met and married her native Texan husband — a fellow outdoorsman and devoted hunter. Together, they built a life and a business, with Samantha lending her creative touch as the interior designer for their construction company.
Now a full-time mom of two, Samantha still carries that same passion for the land, the lifestyle, and the stories that come from living close to both. Her voice brings heart, heritage, and a woman’s perspective to the Feathers & Whiskey family.
Rebekah Knight
Raised in the wild heart of Missouri, Rebekah Knight has been drawing animals since she could hold a pencil. An award-winning wildlife artist, her passion for hunting, conservation, and the outdoors was born on the farm and nurtured through early exposure to field and stream.
Her career launched at age 15 when her painting of a redhead drake won the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, and she’s been painting ever since—capturing wildlife from Alaska to Africa in oils and acrylics. Her work has appeared on state duck stamps, in Birds In Art, and in the award-winning film The Million Dollar Duck.
Rebekah lives in Deepwater, Missouri, with her husband Olen, where they run a cattle farm and spend every spare moment immersed in nature, art, and the pursuit of adventure—whether behind the easel, in the cockpit as a licensed pilot, or in the field with a sketchbook in hand.
Charles Reedy
A true son of the South Carolina Lowcountry, Charles Reedy grew up chasing birds, rabbits, and whitetails through pine thickets and bottomlands—but it was the wild heart of Africa that truly stole his own. A lifelong outdoorsman and dedicated hunter, Charles brings a deep respect for tradition and an ever-growing love for the global sporting life.
Now living in North Carolina, he splits his time between the woods and good company—sharing stories, swapping memories, and always ready for a conversation about hunting, history, or travel. For Charles, the best moments are found in the field and around the fire, surrounded by family, friends, and a life well-lived.
Brian R. Smith
Equal parts gentleman and sportsman, Brian R. Smith lives a life steeped in tradition and fieldcraft. A passionate outdoorsman, Brian spends his time pursuing the finer disciplines of the wild—fly fishing, wing shooting, safari hunting, and equestrian sport. Whether he’s following a brace of pointers across open ground or casting to rising trout, he brings patience, precision, and reverence to every pursuit.
He and his wife Gretchen make their home in Alabama, where they enjoy time with their horses and sporting dogs, often found riding trails, running rivers, or stepping quietly into the next cover. For Brian, the outdoors is more than recreation—it’s a lifestyle of grace, grit, and connection.
Want to Be Part of Feathers & Whiskey?
Our contributors are the soul of Feathers & Whiskey — folks who share their stories, photos, recipes, and insights with our readers, whether it’s once in a while or season after season. If you have a story to tell or a perspective that fits our world, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re also growing behind the scenes. If you’re interested in a more structured role — from editorial and design to marketing, sales, or logistics — check out our current job openings and see where your skills might fit in.
👉 Become a Contributor
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There’s more than one way to join the Feathers & Whiskey family — we’re just glad you’re here.