Have you ever thought about who is going to carry on the everyday tasks of running our country? By that I mean, everything from making policy, to keeping our economy strong to ensuring that this country will continue to provide the best, safest home for all of us to live in. Of course, the answer is simple.

It lies in our youth. Now don’t panic, for we all passed through those wonderful years of growing up before we were handed the gavel and took on the same tasks that will be inherited by our children and grandchildren someday. Along with the responsibilities of everyday life, the future of our hunting and fishing tradition also lies in our youth. You may not have thought about it but it’s true.

Individuals with true vision on wildlife and wildlife management like Aldo Leopold, Theodore Roosevelt and John James Audubon, were also common day schoolboys at one time. Even though they were instrumental in identifying wildlife and implementing strategies to help ensure that wildlife and our tradition and privilege for hunting and fishing will always remain, they themselves probably carried slingshots back and forth to school.

I am quite certain they played games and roamed the fields and streams after school just as our youth of today do.

There are a couple of boys in my hometown that someday may very well continue on the legacy of keeping our country strong and ensuring our outdoor traditions. By the looks of the accompanying photos though, their task at hand is to keep game populations in check and provide food for the table.

Josh Conner, seven, and Philip Gardner, 10, are already making a name for themselves in the hunting world. Though they are both fine little athletes in baseball, football and soccer, their forte may be chasing down critters in the Mississippi swamps.

Josh, pictured here with a 14-point buck taken in Attala County, is an avid hunter. This is his second buck of the year, and he may not be through yet. I inquired about the details of the hunt for the pictured buck and details are what I got.

Hunting in a stand named “The Pepper Moss Stand,” aptly named for the paint color of the structure, Josh stated “I looked to the right and then I looked to the left and when he stepped out of the woods I knew I was gonna get him.”

With a little help in positioning from dad, Bill Conner, Josh made a perfect shot with his 243. When asked what he likes about hunting, Josh said “I just like looking at all of the animals.” Congratulations Josh, great buck.

Philip Gardner is also having a great year in the woods this year. In addition to taking ducks in the Delta this year with his dad, Scott Gardner, he is pictured here with a four-year-old eight pointer taken near his home on private land.

A family friend, Chris Shamburger, offered to take Philip one Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago. Philip, also using a 243, made a perfect shot on the buck at 180 yards. When asked what he likes about hunting, Philip stated “I like being with my dad and just being outside.” Congratulations Philip, beautiful buck.

Two great bucks for two great kids. If their passion for the woods continues and when the gavel is passed down to them to keep our outdoor heritage strong, I am certain they will make it better. Until next time enjoy our woods and waters, and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it.