Too Many &^%#& Acorns

[highlow]

I'm hunting NW Jersey and have had a heck of a time locating deer, on both public and private land. There are acorns all over the place. Don't remember when I saw so many. Wondering if others in the northeast are experiencing the same problem. I did go out today and put up a new stand at the edge of a cornfield and while securing the stand heard things falling about twenty feet behind the stand. Well, lawdy, lawdy, it was a huge white oak and it was raining acorns. The white oaks aren't as productive as the red and chestnut this year but when one is found, it can be gold. The deer seem to prefer them to the other varieties. Am I accurate in my assessment or just a plain lousy hunter? Don't hold back. I have thick skin.    

[fnshtr]

My oak stands are worthless this year due to a LACK of acorns. Wish I had your problem! We are having to try to intercept them heading to the fields and with the fickle wind are having the most difficulty in years.

When there have been lots of hard mast we have been successful looking for mature white oaks. Right now our deer are hitting persimmons, apples and grasses.

Good luck!

[Brianlocal3]

Our acorn are going nuts here. Seems like every tree is dropping. I don't see it as a problem but yeah, you cannot just pick one for sure.

Heck, I don't think my deer have to move more than 10 Yds to get food, shelter and water, they are just laying in the thick stuff letting acorn drop into their mouth lol

[awbowman]

We are going to have a bumper crop this year also.  

I find if you walk enough, AND LOOK ENOUGH, the deer always pick out certain  trees to eat the acorns while they leave the rest for later.  

Don't necessarily know what causes one to be more appealing than another but it is always the case.  Just pay attention to the sign and good luck.

[Scott E]

It's been hard hunting since the acorns started dropping here in CT. The deer are moving but they are moving  inconsistently.


BUT I will kill a deer this weekend with my new stalker wolverine. It's happening    

[modr]

Dave, I live in North West N.J., like you said have never seen this many acorns, I have seen some deer and was able to connect, but not seeing the numbers, due to the acorns.

[dirtguy]

we have more acorns than Iv e ever seen here in CT

[TooManyHobbies]

I walk to my stands on top of acorns, hardly ever touching the ground.

[stonewall]

I can feel your pain, we had that problem in Carolina last season.

[1/4 away]

Acorns all over the place here as well. Deer are moving but not much since acorns are so abundant in my area making the hunting a bit tough.

[bucknut]

I'm feeling your pain fnshtr.  Nothing here either. Still was able to harpoon a big doe with the Super D though.

[highlow]

Just Googled why deer like whites over reds. Seems the whites have less tannin than reds. Tannin is bitter so the deer logically gravitate toward the whites.

Hey Scott. You and I are armed with the same weapon, a Stalker Wolverine. Mine is an FXT and 47# @28. Great bows. I'm also predicting success by this weekend.

[joe skipp]

Your just a lousy bowhunter    

Only kidding Dave...not sure if I'm going to make Jersey. Just brought the wife home today from her hip replacement surgery and the next 3 weeks I'll be nursing her at home so my bow hunting will be severely limited this fall.

Family first...killing deer second....I will be out behind my home and 1/2 mile from the house next week as she progresses. Don't shoot that albino or piebald...give me first dibs!!!

[Chumster]

Acorns are so abundant here and falling like rain. Hard to pattern where deer might show up.

[dnovo]

I had that problem here last year, acorns everywhere. It does make for tough hunting.

[Caughtandhobble]

Some years or better than others. Like you said the White Oak is gold... If I may suggest putting fertilizer stakes around the Oak trees in the Spring time that you like to hunt in the Fall. By simply putting the fertilizer stakes around the drip line you will guarantee that the deer will wear out your tree. Good Luck!!!

[Ulysseys]

I set up on public land in south NJ this afternoon...found a tree dropping tons of acorns and threw the climber up.....2 fat does came out to munch on them buuuutt I missed.  They've been hard to pattern but I've been hanging by the spots with the freshest tracks.  Very hit or miss so far.

Last year, the acorns were crazy down here. This year there are not many where I hunt, and the ones that are here seem to be scrawny!

I hate it when there are a lot of them!

Bisch

[doubleo]

Lots of acorns here and no deer!

[Cwilder]

We have a ton as well. You just have to find the trees they seem to prefer over the others. They will eat them first then move on to others