Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine

Mast Production

“As I stood there in amazement I
heard the distinct sound of acorns falling”

It was mid September and I was preparing for a quick pre-season check on a backup stand. My intention was to pull on my Scent-Lok and rubber boots before double checking an early rub line. To my surprise a mere 20 yards from my stand I found tons of deer sign, rubs, feces and more. As I stood there in amazement I heard the distinct sound of acorns falling. I was standing under a primary feeding source. If this acorn tree would continue to drop through the opener, I would have an excellent early season spot.
Whitetails have a sweet tooth worse then we do. Apples and other fruit baring trees are like candy and attract many whitetails in the area. Additionally acorns are an excellent food source packed full of carbohydrates. Acorns are a food source deer will utilize whenever possible. During early fall, deer need to pack on a few extra pounds to survive the rigorous winter months.

The available food sources have a significant impact on the whitetail’s travel pattern. Mike Reynolds, Forest Wildlife Biologist said “In 2005 we had a booming acorn crop which pushed whitetails onto the acorn ridges. Those hunting around crops had a tough time and experienced poor hunting results.” Each fall (Aug/Sept) the ODNR Forest Wildlife Biologist produces an acorn mast survey on 38 wildlife areas. The ODNR uses this information when reporting on whitetail and squirrel hunting forecast. In addition, anyone can request the information to help understand the acorn production in a specific area.
Beth Dickerson, owner of Farmers Orchard in Gambier, Ohio said, “Apple crop production has been very low due to the frost and drought condition.” She went on to cite, “The fruit is also underdeveloped.”

According to Dickerson, Farmers has about 10% of its normal crop production. Several other orchards in Southern Ohio have closed for the year because of the poor conditions. On the contrary, Reynolds stated, “Some soft mast such as grapes, viburnums and black cherries have been in abundance this year,” but did not comment on apple mast.
It is obvious the frost, drought conditions and down acorn year are indicating many of the whitetail’s food sources will be slim this fall. During early spring, we had several weeks of warm weather with an emidiant two weeks’ of cold frost bearing days. Many fruit bearing trees began to bloom during the warm weather then the frost killed off the buds (apples, pears, plums, etc.)

As whitetail hunters we must deal with whatever Mother Nature throws our way. We’ve all dealt with warm weather, non existing ruts and acorn crop failure in prior years. Those hunters who can adapt to the ever changing problems seem to come out ahead every year. This year is no different.
Here are some great tips to put you one step ahead of the
whitetail.

Hunting specific destinations will dramatically improve your results in the upcoming year. This will take legwork but is worth the effort in the end. Deer live in the woods every day and know which acorn or apple trees are producing the best and sweetest crop. During years of poor acorns, you really need to key in on those trees producing and dropping during the season.

Whitetails prefer white acorns because of their lower tannin levels and sweeter taste. Red oak acorns taste bitter because of higher tannin levels. I’ve seen many red acorn trees with thousands of untouched acorns lying on the forest floor. Identifying your trees and bushes is an important part of understanding the big picture in the woods. I carry the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees when scouting to double check trees species. For example white acorns leaves have rounded smooth lobes and gray scaly bark.
Search out those white acorn trees, crabapple, grapes, persimmons and more producing fruit and mark them on your topographical map. Binoculars will help you uncover acorns hiding among the branches during the summer months. As soon as the fruit begins to drop, many of the local herd will start feeding in that location. It’s well worth your time to hunt in or near those trees. Deer eat on a first come first serve basis. Therefore limited food will push bucks to feed earlier then normal. This doesn’t mean they will throw caution to the wind but might offer you an early shot.

A major key to hunting food is to only hunt when it’s ready and ripe. When the food is gone, the area will dry up. It’s time to move onto another setup or a mast producing tree. We’re fortunate that different foods become available throughout the year. Acorns drop throughout the fall (September-November.) This is long enough to produce a season full of action.

The information provided is only the start of your hunting strategy. Now the real work begins when you need to step into the woods and identify the primary food sources. Hunting whitetail is a game of adapting to what Mother Nature throws our way. Get ready to hunting those specific destinations and change locations as the woods and primary food changes. This setup has provided me with a number of successful years and memorable hunts.