Using wide experiences to help customers with their outdoor needs
When customers shop at Hunters’ Hollow in Oxford for hunting and fishing equipment and supplies, they have the advantage of being able to talk to people who work at the store who are also hunters—and know how to answer questions from their own personal experience.
“We live this stuff,” said Luke Guest, Vice President of the business started by his father, Donny Guest, in 1988. “We all grew up hunting and fishing and have a passion for it. What we sell and recommend is gear we actually use. We feel that gives us a leg up on other similar stores. We are not just putting things on the street that we don’t know. We understand the needs of the local hunters because we are local hunters. We try to use our own experiences to help our customers in any way that we can.”
Before opening in its present location, Donny Guest had a small archery shop in Water Valley and was working on bows in his garage. It is a garage business that has grown into one of the best retail outlets of its kind in the state.
“We still have a very strong archery department,” said Luke Guest. “That is kind of where my heart is. I grew up shooting archery starting when I was four years old. We were doing archery tournaments each weekend in the summer. Dad started some of the first 3D archery shooting competitions in North Mississippi in the late 1980s. I have archery hunted in Mississippi exclusively in the past 20 years. I haven’t even picked up a rifle.”
Thanksgiving and Christmas are the main hunting seasons for deer, waterfowl and squirrels, plus hunting and fishing gear is popular as Christmas gifts. Hunters’ Hollow gets very busy that time of year.
The store has an indoor archery testing range downstairs that allows customers to try out a new bow before purchasing it. Their longer range is primarily used by people shooting their own equipment.
Today many schools have archery shooting teams that compete with other schools. Guest said that has brought in a lot of younger and women shooter customers who are not necessarily looking to go hunting, but enjoy the sport of archery.
“I love that they have archery in the schools now,” said Guest. “I wish they had it when I was in school. My niece shot all through high school. She is not a hunter but loved the archery team.”
Compound bows are the most popular followed crossbows and traditional bows that are just a stick and a string. Compound bows can be made in all different pull and draw weights so you can get something to fit a young child all the way up to a grown adult. Guest said they are very versatile.
Another plus for Hunters’ Hollow is having a great archery technician—Archery Department Manager Jeremy Lipe–who can repair and fine tune bows.
“Jeremy is a great archery technician,” said Guest. “People come from all around for help. Having someone who specializes in archery is kind of getting to be a lost art. There are getting to be fewer and fewer people good at helping people with archery. It is really important to hire quality employees. Jeremy has been with us more than 20 years, as has our General Manager Daron Edwards. Having good people that you can depend on is crucial to success in business.”
While there are probably more deer hunters than waterfowl hunters, waterfowl hunting tends to be a bit more expensive of a hobby. The store’s third biggest demand comes for spring turkey hunting supplies.
“That is a pretty big deal as well,” said Guest.
Technology has improved for hunting supplies including clothing. A popular brand is Sitka. Guest never thought he would be selling $600 waterproof jackets. But there is a surprising amount of demand for superior clothing that makes hunting more comfortable.
Tree stands continue to be in big demand. Guest said the safety gear is superior and well worth it to prevent accidents. “There is no reason not to use all the good technology we have today,” he said.
Ground blinds—an alternative to tree stands–have become a very popular item.
Located at 658 Highway 6 West in Oxford, the total facility is about 35,000 square feet that includes a 100’ x 200’ retail space, the archery range upstairs and the gun range off the back of the store. With a maximum range of 25 yards, customers can shoot pistols, rifles up to 308s and shotguns with buckshot or slug only.
“The gun range is very popular,” said Guest. “Since our indoor range is temperature controlled, we get more handgun shooters for target shooting or practice for self-defense. Most people bring their own guns. We also use that range for customers to try out guns. We have a program where people can shoot five rounds in one of our rental guns for $5 before purchasing a firearm. We want to make sure people are happy with a gun before spending money on it. With guns, you can’t do returns. Guns have to go through a licensed dealer. Buyers have to fill out paperwork and have a background check.”
The stores’ number of employees varies with the season. Currently they have a total of about 15 employees, with half of them working part time. They will pick up more part-time workers during the holiday season.
Guest said while they do see some competition from online retailers, many people prefer to be able to come into a brick-and-mortar store, put their hands on the product, and try things on. That may be particularly important when buying shoes or boots. The store has a wide selection of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing with camo hoodies particularly popular with the young crowd.
“We keep our inventory as high as possible so hopefully customers will decide to get it from us rather than online retailers,” said Guest.
Hunters’ Hollow also carries fishing gear. Spring crappie fishing is an important part of the store’s business. Guest said people come from all over to fish at Sardis, Enid and Grenada lakes that are well known crappie fishing spots.
Hunters’ Hollow was also named the Best Hunting Supplier in Mississippi in 2024 and 2025 by the readers of Mississippi Magazine.