There were some initial concerns about showing a group of 12-15-year-olds, a deer larder, let alone having them take turns in donning chainmail and trying their hand at processing a carcass. The larder is the key facility that links deer stalking out in the landscape, to the game dealer and our food chain, but what would the parents think?!

However, the reaction from the group and feedback from their parents, quickly assuaged any concerns. The young people hung on every word of the stalkers, and it was clear that there was a real interest in finding out more about the deer management process – from hill to grill. 

The Cairngorms National Park Junior Ranger Project aims to link local young people with rangers and other rural working professionals, to give an insight into the varied job opportunities in the countryside, and to learn new skills that could be invaluable when deciding on a future career path.

Deerstalking is on one of many land management activities that plays a vital role in the Highland landscape. To introduce this important topic to young people growing up in Strathspey, the Cairngorms National Park Junior Ranger Project linked up with landscape-scale ecological restoration project, Cairngorms Connect, to deliver a series of thought-provoking workshops.

^{Cairngorms Connect Stalker Jack runs through a butchery demonstration on a roe buck.}

The Cairngorms National Park Junior Ranger Project runs monthly group sessions for local young people, as well as working with local high schools to deliver a week-long programme. These 5-day Junior Ranger school programmes in Strathspey, provide exciting opportunities for nature connection – canoeing down the Spey, cycling through forests, a John Muir Discovery Award, art in nature, chatting to rangers and much more. 

After liaising with teachers from the schools however, it was clear there was also space in the programme for young people to find out more about deer management. There was a keen appetite for meeting individuals directly involved in deer management, exploring the growing forests in the Cairngorms Connect landscape, and getting a ‘hands on’ experience to learn about local venison.

^{Wildland Conservation Assistant (and Grantown Grammar ex pupil!), Ronan chats to the Grantown Grammar junior rangers about his role in the landscape, involving deerstalking, ecological monitoring of key species and practical conservation work.} 

To find out more about the impact of deer management on the ground, the Junior Rangers explored the regenerating native woodland across the Cairngorms Connect landscape. FLS Glenmore Forest Park, RSPB Abernethy National Nature Reserve and Wildland Cairngorm's Glen Feshie were all in fine fettle, thanks to decades of deer management

On each day there was a huge positive feeling amongst the Junior Rangers while walking amongst the pines. Unsurprising, when spending time in nature has a proven beneficial impact on health and wellbeing. While some of each group had visited these sites before, most had not. New relationships formed with the forest and mountains. ^{After a venison barbeque (and veggie options) the Grantown Grammar Junior Rangers walk through the regenerating forest in Glen Feshie.} 

Beyond connecting young people with their local landscape and possible career prospects, these activities sparked conversation about global issues with venison and food traceability. Every year, venison meat is imported from New Zealand deer farms to be sold in supermarkets around Scotland, clocking up over 11,000 food miles and a heavy carbon footprint.

Over a venison barbeque, the Junior Rangers learnt that the sausages and burgers they were about to eat, came from a deer shot by an expert stalker on RSPB Abernethy National Nature Reserve, hung and processed in a deer larder near Nethy Bridge, then turned into sausages locally, at Balliefurth Farm Shop. Using the exact grid reference where the shot was taken, they calculated the food miles to just 11. 

The Junior Ranger programmes are packed full of opportunities for engaging with nature. Adventurous activities like canoeing, rafting and mountain biking are woven in with foraging, wildlife watching, nature art and practical conservation work.

Every single time, the days out with the stalkers within the Cairngorms Connect partnership were a huge hit. The Junior Rangers are always asked what they think of sessions – it is critical to the success and longevity of the project. In their own words, here’s what one of the Junior Rangers had to say…

"Deer stalking was my favourite day of the programme because I got to fully understand what deerstalking is and all the steps of being a deer stalker. It was interesting to see as it is, someone’s job."

^{Group photo of outside Ruigh Aiteachain bothy in Glen Feshie. Wildland Cairngorm Conservation Assistant Ronan’s furry companion Maddy was a hit with the Grantown Grammar Junior Rangers!}

^{Know someone aged 11-18 who might be interested in joining in with the Cairngorms National Park Junior Ranger project?}

Alongside their work with schools, the Cairngorms National Park Authority Junior Ranger Project runs a monthly programme, which is:

• Totally free
• Not affiliated with schools (i.e you don’t need to be connected with a local school)
• Delivered by rangers and other rural workers in the National Park
• For young people with an interest in wildlife, the outdoors, conservation and the environment
• For young people living in or close to the Cairngorms National Park

Find out more about the project here or check out their Facebook page.