deer genrally don't eat all the apples on the ground. last sunday i was hunting at an apple tree and there were hundreds of apples on the ground, some full some half eaten. i ended up seeing over 20 deer, at least 10 of the deer came over and started eating a few apples on the ground then after a while left. I'd say even if there are alot of apples on the ground at least set up a trail cam near it if not just hunt near the trees.