Into The Woods

 If you are planning on going into the woods, make sure to wear your rubber boots. I just got back from doing an informal mast crop survey and man is it muddy! By mast crop I mean anything that grows on a tree that something might want to eat. Apples, pears, acorns, beechnuts, hickory nuts, cherries, and many others all fall into this category. 

 Wild grapes are also an important fall forage item for many animals, although since they grow on a vine they probably are not technically a mast crop. From what I see, the best way to describe the distribution of all items in this category is spotty. Some trees are loaded while others hold nothing. Some areas have clusters of trees with lots of fruit or nuts, while the next ridge or field edge is barren. If you are counting on hunting near mast crop food sources for your early season hunting success, you better get out and do your homework. Just because an oak tree had acorns in past years, does not mean it has them this year. 

 Red oaks appear to have the fewest acorns of the three main oak types this season. I would estimate less than 25% have acorns. Usually when I find acorns on one tree, there are others nearby that also have acorns. Some of these trees are loaded! Obviously the key to success is to identify these trees and hunt within shooting distance or on a travel route to or from these hot feeding areas. Despite their low production this year, red oaks are still your best bet for early season success because they hold their acorns longer into the season than other oaks.

 Don't overlook white oaks and rock oaks. These trees produce a similar looking acorn that deer and turkey love. Approximately 50% of these trees had acorns in September. The problem is that by October 1 they have dropped most of their acorns. Animals looking to put on some fat before leaner times ahead immediately engulf these leaving nothing to hunt over. Check these trees to see if there is any uneaten crop either on the ground or in the tree. If you find any, consider hunting the area immediately. These are a preferred item and I guarantee something will be along soon to clean them up.

  Wild apple orchards are most archery hunters "Old Stand-by" for good reason. You can usually count on at least some trees to have apples. This year that may not be the case. My favorite apple orchard stand, I call "The Ace," has a grand total of three apples on the ten plus trees that surround it.  The good news for me is that I noticed this early enough that I had time to replant my adjacent food plot, which with all the rain, is growing well. It's good to have a backup plan. The other orchard stand I hunt has 50% of the trees producing. The key here is to position myself to cut off the deer on their way to the trees with the best crop.

 The cherry and beech crop does not look real good. These are not generally a reliable food source to hunt in this area. This does not mean you should rule them out. Check them out and look for fresh sign, rather than the berries or nuts. The fresh scratching is easier to see.

 Finally, go out of your way to check the many tangles of grape vines that seem to be almost everywhere. They have a good crop now and are a strong draw for deer and especially turkey. 

 Now guys, when you go to scout out your favorite apple orchard, take your wife, girlfriend or even your mom. Some of the apples are really sweet this year and if you treat your sweetie right; you might get a home made apple pie out of the deal!