Yeah they need to stratify before they will germinate
I'm a big bonsai fan with a couple of failed attempts under my belt
I'm also going to be out collecting maple and oak seed, well... Whilst bowhunting of course
A mature well cared for bonsai oak will produce mini acorns
Consider digging up a 4-5 ft trench and fill it with potting soil
Plant an acorn maybe every 5 inches with the cap pointed up and slightly exposed
Nature will take its course. Right now is when I try to collect seedling oaks and maples.
But if you collect seedlings you have to be careful with the roots or they won't survive. Mine didn't survive last year. So I'm still a beginner too with seedlings and seeds of trees as well.