Deer hunters and land managers should maximize wildlife food sources with strategic mast tree planting. But planting isn’t the only important part. It’s crucial to know what trees benefit deer, the times of years they reach peak attractiveness, and how to hunt around them. Here’s what you should know.
The Most Important Hard Mast Trees
Certain trees are more valuable to deer than others. Most of these include key hard and soft mast species. Therefore, hunters and land managers should promote those which are most vital to the health of the local deer herd.
“From a deer hunting perspective, oak trees are the most important hard mast trees in the Midwest,” said Andrew Malott, a land specialist in northwestern Indiana. “Oak trees, which produce acorns, provide a great early season food source to hunt over in early October. In the Midwest, whitetails seem to prefer white oak acorns. The reason being is because they have a lower concentration of tannic acid which makes them sweeter and more palatable. Later into the year, even into the winter months, deer will move onto red oak acorns.”
Josh Ongley, a land specialist serving northwestern Pennsylvania, agrees with Malott. Additionally, he highlights other key hard mast trees that deer and other wildlife need.
“The most prevalent and important mast trees in the northeast for wildlife are beech, hickory, black cherry and the oak species,” Ongley said. “Deer in particular prefer the white oak acorn, in comparison to the other oak species.”
Of course, planting or promoting oak trees near bedding cover being used at the time of year deer bed in the area enhances the property. Or it can improve an area that lacks food. Therefore, plant or promote white oaks in areas deer bed (or that you want to hunt) from September to November. Do the same for red oaks in areas you plan to hunt in November through the late season.
Trees to Know:
● Beech
● Hickory
● Pecan
● Red oak
● White oak
Red Oak Tree Subspecies:
● Black
● Cherry bark
● Live
● Nuttall
● Pin
● Northern red
● Southern red
● Sawtooth
● Scarlet
● Shingle
● Shumard
● Water
● Willow
White Oak Tree Subspecies:
● Bur
● Chinquapin
● Overcup
● Post
● Swamp chestnut
● Swamp white
● White
The Most Important Soft Mast Trees
While hard mast is the most important, and helps carry deer for longer periods, soft mast species are important, too. “Some important soft mast trees that whitetails prefer include persimmon, mulberries, crabapples, pears, and apples,” Malott said.
Despite the variety, many of the soft mast trees are regional options. For example, in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest, apples are king. In the southeast, peaches are important. The pawpaw, which is an underrated fruit native to North America, thrives in much of the Mid-South, Midwest, and lower stretches of the Northeast. All said, soft masts vary greatly by location.
“The most important soft mast tree in the Northeast is by far the many apple varieties,” Ongley said. “Through late summer and early fall, this is one of the biggest wildlife attractions in the woods. Black cherry trees also provide a great soft mast for wildlife. Others worth mentioning would include many types of viburnums and wild grapes.”
Trees to Know:
● Apple
● Crabapple
● Hackberry
● Pawpaw
● Peach
● Pear
● Persimmon
● Plum
Deer Hunting Around Mast Trees
Because mast trees play such integral roles in deer feeding and movement, hunters should incorporate these in their hunt plans. Allow soft mast trees to impact land management projects, selected stand locations, and more.
“Wonder why a buck has disappeared from your cameras in September and early October?” Malott asked. “They are more than likely deep in the timber feeding on acorns. A good acorn crop could keep deer tight to the timber avoiding going out to your food plots and nowhere near your trail cameras.”
Because of this, once deer start hitting the acorns, it’s important to readjust stand locations to account for the shift. Hunt close to given hard and soft mast trees as they begin dropping their fruits. For example, during the early season, it’s good to focus on apples and white oaks. Later, once white oaks are consumed, shift to red oak trees.
“With proper planning, hunting a heavy mast crop of apples can be an excellent opportunity to target early season bucks,” Ongley said. “The drawing power of an old apple orchard or large field edge with apple trees is hard to ignore early fall. If you are hunting big woods or large wood lots, or if you can target an oak flat with white oak acorns, have confidence you will be in the right place come early season. Use trail cameras to monitor deer movement and feeding habitats and the weather changes.”
Reacting to Acorn Bumper Crops
The volume of acorn production greatly influences deer movements. Therefore, it impacts hunter success, too. Generally, white oaks produce acorns every year. Most red oak trees produce acorns every two years. Expect bumper crops of acorns every three to four years.
If there is a bumper crop, it’s crucial to place heavy emphasis on oak trees. As for hunt plans, choose stand locations close to these areas.
“If you take the time to do some scouting in the months prior leading up to deer season, you should be aware if it is going to be a good mast crop year,” Malott said. “If there are an abundance of acorns, plan accordingly and plan to hunt oak groves/flats in the early season. Keep in mind your entry and exit strategies to and from your stand to not bump deer.”
Reacting to Acorn Crop Failures
Some years, oak trees don’t produce, and acorn crops are minimal. This is called a mast crop failure. Usually, it’s a result of weather, such as drought, early spring hard freezes, etc.
“If there is a mast crop failure due to a poor growing season, plan ahead by planting various food sources on your hunting property,” Malott said. “These food sources could include grain food plots such as corn and soybeans, or green food sources, such as turnips, clover, forage rape, winter peas, radishes, etc. A mast crop failure may mean no early season timber hunts. Focus on hunting the edges and over food sources in the early portion of hunting season.”
Planting Trees for Deer
Those who manage hunting ground should plant trees for deer. Start by determining what tree species you have and don’t have. Offer diversity, rather than an abundance of the same thing(s) to hold deer for longer periods. Too little diversity can offer a lot of food for a short period, but offers nothing for vast stretches of time.
Instead, provide a variety of hard and soft mast species. Generally, a hard-to-soft-mast ratio of 70:30 is an ideal goal. Offering both should attract more deer.
When planting, remember the sex of the tree oftentimes matters. For example, persimmon trees are male or female. You need both in the area to produce fruit. (Females produce fruit, but males don’t.)
Of course, when planting hard mast, offer red and white oak species. Because different oak trees have different cycles, offering different varieties increases the odds of having acorns each year.
Those who want to plant something new should consider the Dunstan chestnut. Because of the blight that killed virtually all American chestnut trees, few are on the landscape today. However, the Dunstan chestnut tree is a hybrid, and consists of 98% American chestnut and 2% Chinese chestnut, making it resistant to the blight.
With plans in place, purchase tree seedlings from a nursery, such as Chestnut Hill Outdoors. (This is the premier source for trees when propagating oak trees, among other tree species.) Choose either bare-root and containerized tree seedlings. Then, plant at the right times, and in the right places, based on your plan.
