The PA Bucktails field school officially kicked off the 2026 field school season! From deer biology to nature journaling and everything in between, our newest class of Conservation Ambassadors embraced every moment of the experience. As we celebrate this incredible group of students, take a look at the highlights from the week.
The Bucktails participants arrived, unpacked, and hit the ground running. After settling into their cabins and getting to know their peers, they jumped right into a lecture on the natural history of white-tailed deer. Students collected, identified, and pressed plants for herbarium specimens, and then laced up their boots for a field walk focused on forest ecology and the impact deer have on their environment.
On Wednesday, the students got up close with white-tailed deer anatomy during a necropsy, paired with a lesson on deer health and disease. In the afternoon, they explored the grounds to capture a nature photo for critique and settled in to observe their surroundings during a nature journaling session.
Thursday was a crowd favorite! The morning featured a radio telemetry exercise lead by Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Biologists and a mock crime scene investigation with Pennsylvania Game Wardens. Students traveled to a local range to learn firearm safety, observe a sharpshooting demonstration by the USDA, and practice their archery skills. The day wrapped up with team building and a group campfire.
The final full day of field school began with a college and career Q&A session featuring professionals across wildlife and conservation fields. Later, students jumped into a mock town hall meeting, taking on real-world conservation debates. The afternoon featured an introduction to print media, mock media interviews, and a session on leadership and outreach. In the evening, students created their trifold displays. After field school, they will use their trifolds and new communication skills to educate others back in their home communities.
We are beyond proud of our 2026 Bucktails participants. Now as Conservation Ambassadors, they will return to their communities ready to share what they’ve learned and spark change through their outreach projects. We can’t wait to see what this inspiring group will accomplish next!
2026 Bucktails Field School Recap
Posted: June 21, 2026 by Katie Mace
The PA Bucktails field school officially kicked off the 2026 field school season! From deer biology to nature journaling and everything in between, our newest class of Conservation Ambassadors embraced every moment of the experience. As we celebrate this incredible group of students, take a look at the highlights from the week.
The Bucktails participants arrived, unpacked, and hit the ground running. After settling into their cabins and getting to know their peers, they jumped right into a lecture on the natural history of white-tailed deer. Students collected, identified, and pressed plants for herbarium specimens, and then laced up their boots for a field walk focused on forest ecology and the impact deer have on their environment.
On Wednesday, the students got up close with white-tailed deer anatomy during a necropsy, paired with a lesson on deer health and disease. In the afternoon, they explored the grounds to capture a nature photo for critique and settled in to observe their surroundings during a nature journaling session.
Thursday was a crowd favorite! The morning featured a radio telemetry exercise lead by Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Biologists and a mock crime scene investigation with Pennsylvania Game Wardens. Students traveled to a local range to learn firearm safety, observe a sharpshooting demonstration by the USDA, and practice their archery skills. The day wrapped up with team building and a group campfire.
The final full day of field school began with a college and career Q&A session featuring professionals across wildlife and conservation fields. Later, students jumped into a mock town hall meeting, taking on real-world conservation debates. The afternoon featured an introduction to print media, mock media interviews, and a session on leadership and outreach. In the evening, students created their trifold displays. After field school, they will use their trifolds and new communication skills to educate others back in their home communities.
We are beyond proud of our 2026 Bucktails participants. Now as Conservation Ambassadors, they will return to their communities ready to share what they’ve learned and spark change through their outreach projects. We can’t wait to see what this inspiring group will accomplish next!
Category: Youth Blog Tags: Bucktails, featured, field school, white-tailed deer