NATCHEZ — Casey Covington can be found casting a line, hunkered down in a tree stand and just enjoying nature with his family when he is not working or at home on Shadow Lane, which is where The Dart found him this week.

Covington, the 30-year-old territory sales manager for Altria Group Distribution Company, said the outdoors is an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for him and his wife, Heather, and their two children, Peyton, 4, and Madison, 6 months.

Covington said his grandparents own approximately 700 acres in Union Church, where Covington is originally from, and 800 acres in Port Gibson. He said his grandparents also have seven ponds stocked with fish including bass and bluegill.

“I’m blessed,” he said. “I have what most people have to pay a lot of money to have.”

Covington said he spends 25 days a year hunting during every season. He said he still remembers his first deer kill when he was 10.

“I shot two of them,” he said with a laugh. “I shot one. Another one walked out, and I shot it. My uncle took me. He wasn’t too happy about that.”

Covington said his children visit his grandparents, who played a major role in his childhood and his love of nature, every weekend. He said he can already see a love of the outdoors in his children, especially his son, Peyton.

“He takes his little truck outside, and he’s gone.”

Covington said nature will always be a part of his family’s life.

“It gives us peace,” he said. “It’s that little door to sanity that everyone needs.”