Bowhunting Talk about the passion that is bowhunting. Share in the stories, pictures, tips, tactics and learn how to be a better bowhunter.

Oak Thickets

Old 08-17-2005, 12:02 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
 
antlergetter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bland County Virginia
Posts: 469
Default Oak Thickets

I am hunting a new area this year and after scouting all summer, I'm still not sure where to hunt. I am scouting an area where lots of finger ridges run together into one big ridge. The thing is that the whole area is laced with oaks and there are tons of acorns from years past on the ground. I talked with my hunting buddy who has hunted this area for years and according to him when the mast drops really heavy you hardly see a deer during the day but when the mast is sparse then hunting is excelent. My Question is why is that?? You would think that it would be the opposite hunting the oak thickets. Is it because the acorns are so spread out?? How do you hunt these conditions??
antlergetter is offline  
Old 08-17-2005, 02:14 PM
  #2  
Boone & Crockett
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 15,452
Default RE: Oak Thickets

They dont have to move to eat. hey they are lazy like we are.Would you rather walk to the grocery store to eat or go to the frig ????? That basic
cardeer is offline  
Old 08-17-2005, 02:25 PM
  #3  
 
hunttones's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 140
Default RE: Oak Thickets

If the mast is heavy you have to get closer to the bedding areas because they won't move far. They will pass some oak trees up over others. I believe they prefer White Oak acorns. Find that source with deer sign around it and you should see animals. Food source is only part of the equation. Look for deer sign and also where do they go for water? Lots of variables.
hunttones is offline  
Old 08-17-2005, 05:58 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 120
Default RE: Oak Thickets

ORIGINAL: cardeer

They dont have to move to eat. hey they are lazy like we are.Would you rather walk to the grocery store to eat or go to the frig ????? That basic
This is true. We had acorns under every tree here in TX last year and they did not
move as much as when the mast is light.
arrowslingr is offline  
Old 08-17-2005, 06:23 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Richwood Ohio USA
Posts: 138
Default RE: Oak Thickets

If you have oaks everywhere then that should not be your primary focus at all. Find out where the doe are bedding and then find out where other doe are bedding and set up right in between those two areas. Also, look for classic funnels and terrain features as the rut will get them moving. It always does.

TBO
TheBuckeyeOutdoorsman is offline  
Old 08-17-2005, 06:29 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Richwood Ohio USA
Posts: 138
Default RE: Oak Thickets

Oh by the way, I know deer love white oaks. However, the best stands of oaks that I have hunted were #1. a flat along a river containing several huge red oaks #2 A large wood lot loaded with very large mature pin oaks.

TBO
TheBuckeyeOutdoorsman is offline  
Old 08-18-2005, 07:07 AM
  #7  
Dominant Buck
 
kevin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ramsey , Indiana
Posts: 22,545
Default RE: Oak Thickets

Unless the area has a lot of springs or small seeps key on a water source between the oaks and the bedding areas . Deer must have water to aid in digesting the mast , and to alleviate thirst . They can go for awhile without food , but they have to drink daily .
kevin1 is offline  
Old 08-18-2005, 11:30 AM
  #8  
Nontypical Buck
 
Bulzeye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Too close to Chicago
Posts: 3,337
Default RE: Oak Thickets

Sounds like an area I've hunted.
Another thought about all those fingers and ridges...
If you're on the move during the day instead of sitting on stand, and are walking the ridgetop, keep an eye out below you. I can't tell you how many deer I've jumped that were just out of sight bedded down about 1/4 to 1/3 the way down the hillside at mid-day.

Good luck.
Bulzeye is offline  
Old 08-18-2005, 11:54 AM
  #9  
Nontypical Buck
 
TURKEY FAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SouthWest OH, Remington Country.
Posts: 2,058
Default RE: Oak Thickets

all those fingers that lead into one big ridge sounds like a great place for a funnel, have you scouted that enough and do you have a stand there? Right now deer are not worried about the acorns they have corn and soybeans they are munching on right now until them are picked, they wont really be focusing in on those acorns. They might browse there at night on there way back to the bedding area, you need to focus on the primary food source, not the secondary! Once the buffett is gone, they head back into the woods to clean up and get ready for winter and the rut.
TURKEY FAN is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
schunter1128
Whitetail Deer Hunting
3
04-07-2009 05:33 AM
Legacy357
Bowhunting
1
07-25-2004 01:38 PM
Mapper
Turkey Hunting
1
03-01-2004 06:56 AM
utvolsbowhunter
Whitetail Deer Hunting
6
10-03-2002 10:17 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Quick Reply: Oak Thickets


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.