The acorns are plentiful in the Virginia woods this year- especially here in Southwestern Va. If you recall the fall of 2011 was much different(far less plentiful) and the fall of 2010 was much like now(very plentiful). While there are over 450 different kinds of acorns produced throughout the United States-Star City Whitetails focus will be on the two that govern our woods.
The White Oak and The Red Oak.....
White Oak-(the very favorite natural food of WT deer) the bark is light gray; rough with long loose scales and has a smaller bark pattern than that of the Red Oak. The acorn of the White Oak is about 3/4 inch long with a cup covered by warty scales.
Red Oak- the bark is dark brown to black; smooth on young trees, eventually wide, flat ridges separated by shallow fissures(bigger bark pattern than White Oak) The acorn of the Red Oak is about 1 inch long, oblong in shape. The cup is saucerlike, flat, covers about 1/3 of the nut, and has a fine
-hairy fringe.
Just because there are lots of acorns on the ground doesn't mean that every Oak tree on the property you hunt is producing. One tree might produce an abundant harvest while a similar tree a few yards away might be barren.
So make sure you concentrate your hunting efforts near trees that are producing. Especially concentrate on the White Oaks early in the season because this is the favored acorn of the WT deer and are more palatable and less tart.
Fresh acorns are desired by deer therefore they will work a tree for about a week until it stops producing then they will move to fresher droppings.
As a hunter be smart and check to make sure that trees are actually producing in the area you plan to hunt. This can be done by observing the tops of Oak trees where the acorns are to determine if such trees will soon produce. The acorns will begin to hang and weigh down the branches just prior to dropping. You can also check the ground around Oak stands, if you see fresh deer sign(droppings, tracks) you know you are in a "hot spot"- set up and get ready.
The Bottom Line: take advantage of what mother nature has given us(deer treats) and move according to where the trees are producing.