For the first time in a few years there are plenty of acorns on the ground here. they are spread out but in clumps or pockets of trees throughout the pine plantation. they are still dropping. However, the deer may eat a few but they are NOT hammering them. I saw 3 bucks today and none of ate acorns..they were eating browse. These acorns are not rotten. It's the same for every little oak grove we have. some are being eaten but surely not something I can count on...these are all white oaks by the way...anyone seen this before?
Have a red oak, uncle calls it a burr oak, where I hunt. They'll eat them but not regularly. Usually about 2 times the size of a white oak acorn, hate them in the dark. Almost rolled my ankle once walking in.
I have seen in parts of Northern WI where the deer will leave the acorns till later and eat what is available before it gets real cold and snow on it, then they will go back and dig thru the snow to get at the acorns. I would guess there is more return in calories digging for acorns over browse so they browse now and go back for the acorns later.
many times the acorns have worms in them and then deer will not eat them---look for tiny holes drilled into the side or slightly off colored old looking acorns---happens a lot in moist summers especially, I have seen complete oak flats with acorns laying on ground all winter long
Just need to find the ones they are eating. Finding the producing oaks is easy , not always easy to find the hot spots when there is a lot of choice. If you're seeing them browsing perhaps they are either returning or headed to a favorite source.
You can know which tree they will eat under next year. If all else is the same fertilizer a couple around your stand. May even use some lime if needed. I did this in some big woods with no fields. Everyone could not figure out why I had all the deer around me. I never told them either. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
