The people behind the gate.
Buck Lake Outdoors runs on a small board, a handful of guides, and a long list of volunteers who give their time, their gear, and their weekends.
The three who started it.
Chris, Scott, and Dennis bought the original tract of Buck Lake together in 2018. Years later, they're still the ones answering the phone.
Chris Vick
Chris fell in love with this property the first time he stepped foot on it in 1998, and never imagined God would use it to touch so many lives. His goal is simple: to be a good steward of the land and hang on for the ride, wherever the journey leads.
Scott McKinney
Scott is the Senior Pastor of Cookeville First Baptist, where he has served since 2015. His heart for people and for service is a steady part of what makes Buck Lake more than a hunting property.
Dennis Byrne
Dennis is a Fairhope, Alabama native with a lifelong passion for the outdoors and its natural beauty. Guided by the belief that we should leave our earthly blessings better than we received them, he's committed to enhancing and sharing the experiences Buck Lake Outdoors provides.
The board that steers the ship.
Buck Lake Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) governed by a volunteer board. They meet quarterly, set the budget, and make sure the mission stays the mission.
Brandon Reeves
A commercial banker in Cookeville, Tennessee for the last 25 years. An avid fisherman, Brandon believes that the best relationships are formed and the best memories are made outdoors in God's creation.
Chris Peterson
A Baxter, Tennessee resident and Senior Telecom Manager, he balances a successful professional career with a profound dedication to community leadership and outdoor life. Driven by his faith, he has devoted significant time to serving on numerous nonprofit boards to make a tangible, positive difference. He lives by the core conviction that God smiles when we give back to others and express our faith through outward service.
Dr. Toney Hudson
A board-certified internal medicine physician in Cookeville with over 50 years of clinical experience. In 1991 he co-founded the Occupational Health Center in Cookeville, serving rural and working families across the Upper Cumberland. His life verse is Micah 6:8: "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Larry Taylor
A financial advisor in Cookeville with a passion for helping individuals, families, and businesses reach their goals. Larry believes the outdoors offers a unique chance to experience God's creation, strengthen faith, and build meaningful connections with others.
David
Born in Somerset, Kentucky, David has dedicated his life to serving others. He served as president of the Rotary Club and took its motto, "Service Above Self," to heart. With 45 years in the grocery industry, he has spent his career serving people and building relationships within his community. He currently serves on the Elder Team at The River Community Church, where his faith and commitment to servant leadership continue to guide him. Jesus is the greatest example of servant leadership he knows, and His example is at the heart of how he lives and serves others. As a Navy veteran, he is honored to help people experience the beauty of God's creation and to share how much God loves and cares for them.
Greg
Blessed with a wife of 40+ years, two kids, and five grandchildren. Introduced to the men behind Buck Lake in 2023, Greg counts it a privilege to work the property, fish, guide hunts, and minister to everyone who comes out to share the place.
The crew on the ground.
These are the people you'll meet when you pull into camp. Guides, cooks, and the volunteers who keep the lodge running through every event. Chris and Scott guide too, when they're not answering the phone.
Jason Henegar
Faith, family, and time spent outdoors are Jason's greatest blessings. Whether chasing deer, turkey, and waterfowl or spending a day on the water, he loves helping people of all ages and experience levels create memories that last a lifetime.
Eric
A Marine who's been hunting and fishing since childhood. His specialty, in his own words: suffering for your success and dispelling the myth of "gamey meat."
Samuel Vandagriff
Twenty-five, from McMinnville, Tennessee, and working at Vick Surveying in Cookeville. If he's not at work, he's in the woods or at the lake. Buck Lake quickly became his favorite place to be, whether a young person is harvesting their first turkey or an adult is getting their first taste of deer camp.
And about a hundred more.
It takes a small army to host a single event. Buck Lake runs on volunteers who give their time, their skills, and their weekends to make each hunt happen. If you've got something to offer, we'll put it to work.
Volunteer With Us →