Here in KY where I live we dont have as many as normal,we have had a couple of bad years for nut crops,but this year the trees are loaded so I'm sure next year will be good, as far as wasting one every now and then you are right,there are many other critters that will benefit from them,anyway in the early season the brush is so thick that you are probable going to lose more due to not being able to find them in the undergrowth than you are going to throw away.good luck.