Oak trees need light but they don't have to be in direct sunlight to mature.They also are tolerant to acidic soils.Simply clearcutting an area generally will not give you good oak regeneration,unless that's all you have to begin with.This is true,even behind a fence.What they do today to get decent oak regeneration is to do a shelterwood cut.With a shelterwood cut,they open up the canopy enough to let some light in but they leave good seed producing trees.What they're trying to get is some advanced oak regeneration going before they take the rest of the overstory.This is important because other species such as striped maple,birch,red mapleetc. will take off and out compete the oakoncethe canopy is open.Basically,they're giving the oak a head start by creating advanced oak regeneration prior to the main cut.In many cases,they also have to fence these cuts or the deer will eat every bit of oak regeneration in there.Now in many areas,they don't have to fence because deer densities are low enough.I can show anybody dozens of examples that proves how deer impact these cuts.Another proponent to getting goodregeneration is using herbicides to kill ferns.they'll spray just prior to a cut and that using takes care of ferns for about three years.Fire is also a tool being used.Oaks survive fire because of their deep root systems and thicker bark.The fire however,usually does a good job taking out the thin barked species like beech,birch and maple.These species all compet will tyhe slower growing oaks.Fire is very effective taking out the competing striped maple.Alot of cool stuff and alot of science goes into managing our state forests and state game lands.Take the time to go out with a professional and learn.These guys really do know what they're doing.It ain't that simple though.There's alot more to it than simply letting losse the Hatfields and McCoys with their chain saws.