MICHAEL LEE

Co- Host / Co-Owner

"It's not the size of the trophy, but the size of the hunt!"

Who am I?  Well, it started over 34 years ago in a little town called Cordele, Georgia about 10:00 in the morning.  Yeah, I never did like to get up real early.  That’s where I was born and raised for the next 18 years of my life.  My passions growing up were fishing, hunting, and baseball.  I was going pro in something, just didn’t know what yet!  Many summer days were spent on the lake or at practice, the falls then turned to chasin’ deer, doves, quail, and even squirrels.  Hey, when you like to shoot stuff you stay in the woods all the time!

My family was always a huge influence in my life.  My grandparent, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all in between always supported the outdoors and sports that all of us participated in.  To tell you the truth we have a ton of talent in this big ol’ family.  From fishing to football, you never know what will happen next!

In 1995, I graduated from Crisp County High School and headed to college.  Heck, I didn’t even know where I wanted to go or what I wanted to be.  Sounds like most 18 year olds huh?  Chasing the dream of baseball, I venture to Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton, Georgia.  That lasted a couple years when one of my close friends, Todd Clements, took me out in Valdosta, Georgia at Valdosta State University.  It didn’t take me long to decide that is where I wanted to be and finish my college career.  Finally, after some ups and downs, I graduated from VSU with a hard sought degree of Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Information Systems.  Ladies and gentleman, that was one of the toughest things I have ever done in my life.  It has made me a much stronger person, and I like to think smarter too, but my wife would beg to differ!

Speaking of my lovely wife, Beth, we met while in college at VSU together.  I’ll have to admit, from the first time I saw her, I got chills all over me and that lil’ tingling feeling inside.  Yep, you just know when you find the “one”.  She is one of the kindest people you will ever meet and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.  We both share love for the outdoors from yard work to planting food plots, she’s right there with me all the time.

While in college I started designing websites.  What began as extra money for school has now turned into a pretty good business for me.  I enjoy creating things, especially outdoor related, and through web design, I’ve been able to meet great people from call makers to NFL football players.  It’s been a great experience for sure.  Now mix that in with outdoor TV, writing, and speaking, I have a blast all the time!  I’ve had the honor of getting to know some great people and see some amazing places.  To God be the glory, because I know it has been his plan for me to take this road wherever it may lead.  I’m just here doing what he has laid out for me.

Country born, bred, and raised, proud of it too!  Like Pop always said, “Don't forget who you are!"

KEVIN KNIGHTON

Co- Host / Co-Owner

Kevin was raised in the small north Florida town of Branford, near the Suwannee River. Thanks to his dad, he learned at an early age the joys of hunting and fishing and spending as much time as possible with a shotgun or a fishing pole in hand. After earning a degree in Video Production from The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, Kevin gained commercial production, advertising, and live television experience at a Gainesville, FL TV station. It was that experience that led him to meet Michael Lee and to form Southern Backwoods Adventures® which is now The Backwoods Life^®.

WOODY SULLIVAN

Co- Host / Co-Owner

Well, little about me: I was raised in eastern North Carolina in a Baptist Children’s Home. That is where I started learning about the outdoors; I work on a dairy farm, I work in the corn and bean fields. After we were finished with our chores we would all go fishing in the creeks and ponds around the farm. As I grew older I went and lived with my grandmother in Surf City, NC. This is where I fell in love with the ocean and began to surf fish, King fish, spear fish and SCUBA dive. As I got older I started deer hunting and felt at home and at peace in the woods. And over the years my love and respect for the outdoors continues to grow more and more every year. I credit most of my early hunting experience from being a member of various hunting clubs. I got to experience dog hunting and still hunting and often migrated to still hunting and the enjoyment I got out of watching the various wildlife in their habitat, currently I primarily BOW hunt. I love chasing whitetail in the fall, duck’s in the winters in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, however my true passion is the spring turkey season, there is just something about those spring gobbles. 

I graduated in 1985 from Topsail High School in eastern North Carolina. I started to volunteer with a local fire department and loved it. As soon as I was 18 years old I took a basic EMT class and realized how much I love to help people and the challenges that career offered me. I went to work for Pender County EMS and Rescue Inc. in 1985 and I am still employed by the same agency 27 years later. I became an EMT-Paramedic in the early 90’s and was promoted to Chief in the mid 90’s. In 1986 I went to Basic Law enforcement training and became an Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff for our County Sheriff’s office and retired after twenty years of volunteer service.  I Graduated from Mt Olive College with an Associate Degree in General Education.

I met my lovely wife while teaching an EMT-Paramedic class at our local community college where she was taking and English class down the hallway. We would talk while her class was out on break and I finally got enough nerves to ask her out. On our second date I took her surf fishing on a cool fall night and she loved it. This was a match made in heaven. We have been together ever since. She is one of the kindest people you want to meet and loves the outdoors. She has always supported me hunting and pursuing this path. We have a beautiful daughter that just started college this year and working on getting into the Air force Academy.

This next great chapter of my life started several years ago when I meet the guys from Backwoods life at Midwest Whitetail Adventures. We hit it off and keep and contact and I became a part of their Boneheads crew and this year had the opportunity to invest in the show and become a co-host. This is leaving a dream for me; I love being part of the Backwoods Life show and family. I have met so many great and awesome people traveling that are now lifelong friends. That is the best part of this; the people you met whether at the hunting lodge, at a show or filling up your truck at a gas station, the people are always so great. Thank you.

BETH LEE

Travel and Merchandise Coordinator

ANDREW ATKINS

Backwoods Crew Member

Andrew is a turkey junkie, a whitetail addict and a recovering gadget-aholic.  So running a video camera in the woods is a natural fit for him.  He began working with the Backwoods Life crew in 2006 and has been trying to get the perfect hunt on video ever since.  “Things don’t always go perfect on a hunt and that’s what excites me about being a videographer in the outdoor TV world.”, says Andrew.  “There are no second chances.  An animal won’t come back for a second take because you missed the opportunity and that is what gets me just as excited as if I was doing the hunting.”

Andrew grew up in Georgia and began deer hunting at an early age, but picked up the addiction of the eastern wild turkey later in life.  He lives in Social Circle, GA with his wife, two daughters and son and works full-time in the investment industry.

FRED BRANCH

Backwoods Crew Member

My dad jokingly stated the other day, "If I knew you were going to love it this much, I don't know if I would have ever taken you back." Well, yep, I still love it this much and cant wait for the day that my son and daughter can get into the woods with me. Being born and raised in south Georgia (Cordele) to a father working in the timber business, hunting came as naturally as breathing. I was taught how to shoot and handle a gun at an early age and have been hitting the woods since I could walk. Hunting has put food on the table as long as I can remember and the memories made are priceless.

Like I said before, I was born in Cordele GA and graduated from Crisp County High School in 1994. I went to Darton College for two years on a tennis scholarship and transferred to Valdosta State University in 1996. Two semesters at VSU and I transferred to the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!) where I graduated with my BS in physical education. After graduation, I moved back to Cordele and got married to my beautiful wife Kristy Branch. Somehow I wound up going from education to law enforcement and have been working for the Houston County Sheriff Office ever since. I’ve been with the Sheriff Office for about 10 years and I'm currently assigned to the Warrant Division. I also serve on the Houston County SRT team where I’ve been an entry team member for the past 6 1/2 years.

I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and thanks to my good buddy Michael Lee, I am now part of the Backwoods Life. Getting a chance to hunt the world and put it on film is definitely a dream come true. Hunting with a great group of guys/gals makes the experience that much sweeter. There's so much more that goes into hunting than just taking a trophy and passing on the hunting heritage is an honor. When you tune us in, you will see real people, real hunts, and a group of folks having a really good time. The Backwoods Life..... Live It!

SCOTT COOPER

Backwoods Crew Member

DAVIE FERRARO

Backwoods Crew Member

I was born and raised in Tampa, FL and now reside in Brooksville, FL. I was brought into this world by two very supportive parents who have taught me the right way from day one and who have always believed in me. I am an honors graduate from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a minor in Management and Sales. I am a Certified Personal Trainer through Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and Founder of Hunt Strong, LLC. I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Robin, since March 25, 2006 and we are cherishing every moment of our little girl, Emma Kate, as she experiences the outdoors the same way that I was introduced, through passion and desire.  My wife, Robin, is not only the love of my life, but she is the spine that backs me and who is always there when I need her support.           

I grew up learning and experiencing the great outdoors that God created for us with my father.  If there was a lake or a patch of woods, you better believe we were in the middle of it after a trophy and something to put on the grill. I am proud to say that I am an avid outdoors-man who enjoys both fresh and saltwater fishing, hunting all different types of wild game, essentially, living off the land. All the meat my family eats year-round is provided by me, that just goes to show you how important hunting is in my life. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the challenge of harvesting mature game, but I am by no means afraid to pull the trigger on some good eating animals.

I have always been an athlete, participating in football, baseball, and track throughout my younger life. I now compete in vertical road races, also known as stair climb races up the tallest skyscrapers throughout major cities and place in the top three consistently overall. Are they tough? Absolutely, but no more challenging than some of the hunts I have experienced. Hunting is by far the most challenging sport I have ever participated in. The elements of the backwoods can be very demanding on your body; therefore, I push myself both physically and mentally beyond my own expectations to be successful. 

I walk my own walk and talk my own talk.  My philosophy is to train hard, hunt strong, eat wild, and live long all in the heart of the backwoods. I am very passionate about the sport of hunting and I enjoy watching/bringing individuals into our kingdom of hunters because what this world needs is just one more hunter. I am a proud hunter, believer in God, provider, loving father, husband, son, brother, uncle, role model, author, friend, and one proud Backwoods Life Bonehead. I believe in never being satisfied, constantly improving not only my own life, but the lives of others as well. I will always live The Backwoods Life. The Hunt Lives On! - Phil 4:13

JEREMY JOHNSON

Backwoods Crew Member

I was born and raised right around Montgomery, Alabama and have pretty much lived here all my life. I started hunting when I was 12 on the family farm here in Montgomery county. I have been hunting and fishing on that property for 25 years and hope to continue for many years to come. My dad and grandfather taught me all about the great outdoors and how much fun it is to be in the woods hunting and camping. I learned a lot from all those weekend camping trips to the pond and those early morning gatherings of all the hunters at my grandparents house before the big hunts. We would have a ball shooting box after box of shells on the dove field and I would sit quietly in amazement at my grandfather making that big boss gobbler answer him back on those cool spring mornings. I currently live in Prattville, AL with my wife, Elizabeth and our awesome little girl, Taylor Mac. We all love hanging out together in God's great outdoors and I cant wait till Taylor is old enough to go hunting with me. She loves to watch the fish swim around and to see the deer walking around in the woods. I have been on the Backwoods crew since 2006 and have enjoyed every minute of it. It is always cool hanging out with all the people at the different hunting camps that we go to. It also makes you look forward to whatever the next adventure will bring.

MIKE LEE

Backwoods Crew Member