Good Mast Crop

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Every time I am in the field, I cannot help but notice how many apples, Grapes, Elderflowers, Berries and Beech Nuts are on the trees.

Last year there were a lot of acorns so I dont know how well they will do this year.

2 years ago there was a bumper crop of apples and most went uneaten.

I am both excited and worried. 2 years ago, with the bumper crop, I actually saw NO deer while hunting that farm.  There is a lot of food available on neighboring tracts and the deer seem to become more nocturnal on the property I have permission on.

On another thought, I was brand spankin new to the property and still learning. Perhaps the deer learned I was there.

Right now I am seeing deer every time i am at the farm through binoculars but do fear I will have a  season like 2 years ago.

I'm still excited about the incredible mast on the trees.

Any thoughts from you guys?

Anyone else noticing good mast?

[shreffler]

My Dad has a house on 40 acres here. We've been working on it every year for the last 5 years now, sometimes a lot in the off season, sometimes a little.

About 10 of the 40 acres is all apple orchard. Last summer we REALLY focused on trimming up the orchard and giving them some space, and boy did it pay off this season. All of our apple trees are in full bloom right now, I haven't been back out there in a few weeks to check if they're producing yet, but we've never had them bloom like this.

Our property is right between bedding areas and feeding grounds, and without food here, they simply make their way through in the morning and at night, and have no reason to stick around. I certainly don't think it will hurt your hunting to have a good season of apples or any other crop! Any food is better than no food. I can't wait.

[Michael Arnette]

Hhm, We had a good mast crop last year and poor/middling in the last two years. I really think that deer focus on acorns as soon as they start dropping regardless of mast depending on the type of oak. White, red, and black in that order.
Having a bumper year just means they'll feed on acorns longer into the winter in my opinion. So if you are feeding/planting food plots or planning to hunt other food sources your luck may be lessened.

[wingnut]

Hunt the deer on the natural food source and the bumper mast crop will be your "feeder" for most of the season.  When I hunt deer here in Texas I never hunt feeders and always do well on natural feed areas.

Mike

[mangonboat]

NC deer harvest was down significantly in 2014 because we had such an excellent acorn crop...the deer can eat well and fatten up for winter without relying on agricultural or "suburban" sources i..e, gardens and  planted shrubs. Saw the most deer in years one morning in a cluster of white oaks that were dropping acorns like a hailstorm.

[Whitetail Addict]

We didn't have any apples to speak of here last year, due to a late, hard frost. This year, the trees are loaded. Lots of beach nuts this year too.

I don't have any acorns around where I hunt, so I can't tell you whether they're doing good this year, or not.

Funny you posted this Charlie. I went out yesterday afternoon to take a look.

I hadn't gotten more than a few hundred yards from the house, when I came across a place at the edge of a hay field, where coyotes had killed a fawn. There wasn't anything left but the two front legs, from the knees down. I know they have to eat too, but I always hate to see it.

I'm hoping to get up to camp this weekend to cut and split some wood, and do some scouting.

It's only June, but I'm already dreaming of October. Hopefully you and Chuck can make it up there for a hunt or two this fall.

Bob

[FoCoBlackWidow]

One thing I miss about back in Wisconsin is that we don't have stands of acorns (or other big hardwood patches, for that matter) to hunt. One thing I don't miss about hunting back in Wisconsin is the complete lack of deer...

The bumper crop should make for an exciting season, you just won't be able to narrow them down to one or two locations like you can in lean years.

[stonewall]

Yep. When the mast is gone so will the deer.

[Roadkill]

We got 100 degrees and fire!  Our deer forage had a poor start and now is in danger.  I recall sitting in a tree stand in VA listening to the acorns drop like a slow rain.  Hope all you all have good mast crops