Riley Payne

Born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi, Riley Payne developed a deep-rooted passion for the outdoors at an early age. Growing up on 30 acres of family land—and spending countless days on a 700± acre farm in Alabama bordering the Noxubee River—he built a foundation centered around hard work, stewardship, and a love for the land.

What began as a love for hunting, fishing, and trapping quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of everything the outdoors has to offer. That passion naturally led him into a career focused on land and property management. Early in his professional journey, Riley had the opportunity to learn from some of the most respected property managers across the Southeast. He immersed himself in the industry, soaking up knowledge about habitat improvement, land stewardship, wildlife management, and maximizing property value. Those formative years gave him a practical, boots-on-the-ground understanding of what makes a property not only enjoyable, but truly exceptional.

Today, as a Land Specialist with Whitetail Properties Real Estate, Riley focuses on recreational land, hunting properties, investment tracts, and homes with acreage. He understands that buying or selling land is more than a transaction—it’s often personal. It’s about legacy, opportunity, and lifestyle. His firsthand experience allows him to evaluate properties not just on paper, but through the eyes of a hunter, investor, and landowner.

Riley is committed to helping clients maximize the value of their property while guiding buyers toward land that fits their vision—whether that’s a turnkey hunting property, a long-term investment, or a place to build a home and create memories for generations.

When you work with Riley, you’re partnering with someone who doesn’t just sell land—he lives it.

There’s something special about calling this part of Mississippi your home, getaway, or family farm. Kemper, Attala, Neshoba, Scott, Leake, and Winston counties aren’t just territories on a map to me — they’re places shaped by generations of landowners who understand the value of dirt, timber, water, and hard work. From the quiet stretches of the Bienville National Forest to the winding banks of the Big Black River and the historic flow of the Pearl River, this region offers a kind of natural beauty and opportunity you simply can’t replicate.

I love the diversity here — hardwood bottoms that flood just enough to grow giants, well-managed pine plantations that represent both wildlife habitat and long-term investment, rolling hills that carry the sound of a turkey gobbling crisp spring morning, and open pastures with the family pond that you can always count on. This land tells a story. It’s where tradition meets opportunity, where a property can be both a weekend escape and a generational asset. Being a local land specialist here isn’t just about selling property — it’s about helping people protect what makes this corner of Mississippi so special and finding the right steward for every acre.