This Years Mast????

[MARINE]

Hello to all, I'm new to this sight...but not new to hunting. I'm a Marine currently deployed to Afghanistan and will be returning prior to the end of Squirrel season. I'm orginaly from Harlan, Ky and will visit while on post deployment leave. I'm going to be taking my boy squirrel hunting and I'm curious about how the mast was this year ie...oaks, hickories, etc...

If anyone out there knows of some good spots in Harlan or Bell counties to hunt some tree rats...it would be much appreciated. The boy and I are still after his first harvested squirrel and it would be great to do it after I get home from combat...would make my return even more enjoyable.

I had a good place back where I'm from but I understand that they have went in and logged it pretty heavily and I would imagine that the squacks have moved out of the area , so I'm trying to also find some alternate hunting areas...yalls help will be greatly appreciated.

[tbob131]

No nuts here at all ice storm 2009 got them. At least in my area

[beards-n-bone]

Mast is non-existent in pulaski county this year. Dont know about far SE Ky. Im sure someone can give a more localized report closer to your area. Appreciate what you are doin for us.......Good luck!!

[MARINE]

Originally Posted by beards-n-bone

Mast is non-existent in pulaski county this year. Dont know about far SE Ky. Im sure someone can give a more localized report closer to your area. Appreciate what you are doin for us.......Good luck!!

Well Pulaski aint too far from Harlan so it doesn't sound good for the mast crop there...however, the only saving grace is that hopefully since Harlan and specifically where I hunt is at a higher elevaion...thus making the blooming of the mast producing trees start at a later date...the freeze may have hit before the trees went into bloom...hopefully

[Hoosier5]

Originally Posted by tbob131

No nuts here at all ice storm 2009 got them. At least in my area

Same here too. We had a HUGE Hickory Nut & Acorn crop in 2008 but none this year.

[beards-n-bone]

Originally Posted by MARINE

Well Pulaski aint too far from Harlan so it doesn't sound good for the mast crop there...however, the only saving grace is that hopefully since Harlan and specifically where I hunt is at a higher elevaion...thus making the blooming of the mast producing trees start at a later date...the freeze may have hit before the trees went into bloom...hopefully

What got our mast this year was heavy rain when the trees were in bloom this spring. It did in most of the apples and pears and soft mast as well. One county to our south on Beaver Creek WMA I found every tree in the woods loaded. Seemed feast or famine, depends on the location. Even a few miles can make a big difference this year on having mast or not. Around here standing corn fields will have every squirrell in the country around it.

[MARINE]

Originally Posted by beards-n-bone

What got our mast this year was heavy rain when the trees were in bloom this spring. It did in most of the apples and pears and soft mast as well. One county to our south on Beaver Creek WMA I found every tree in the woods loaded. Seemed feast or famine, depends on the location. Even a few miles can make a big difference this year on having mast or not. Around here standing corn fields will have every squirrell in the country around it.

There isn't really any corn fields around where I'm from so it sounds like it's going to be difficult...but oh well, as long as I'm out w/ the boy in the woods it will be a good time regardless.

[Kaibaby]

Marine, I'm in Harlan and will tell ya what I know. Mast was light & spotty here the best I can tell. Have only got to hunt 4 times, & only in a couple of places, but there was some hickory, walnut, & oak, and I believe still quite a bit of oak. The first month of season was the most squirrels I've ever seen around here in many a year, probably since the 60's! The roadkill's was unbeleivable! I kept my personal limit to 3 a hunt because I'm only one that eats em but could've limited every trip easy, and I hunt with a 22. The area around Martins Fork L. was full of squirrels, but haven't been there since Sept 19. I hunted for the first time since then on 10/31 for about 3 hrs in afternoon and only killed the one&only I seen, hunting near home in Catrons creek. Find the Mash & I'm sure you'll still find plenty squacks, but I'm sure there's been some migrating going on! Best of Luck to you & your son!

[MARINE]

Originally Posted by Kaibaby

Marine, I'm in Harlan and will tell ya what I know. Mast was light & spotty here the best I can tell. Have only got to hunt 4 times, & only in a couple of places, but there was some hickory, walnut, & oak, and I believe still quite a bit of oak. The first month of season was the most squirrels I've ever seen around here in many a year, probably since the 60's! The roadkill's was unbeleivable! I kept my personal limit to 3 a hunt because I'm only one that eats em but could've limited every trip easy, and I hunt with a 22. The area around Martins Fork L. was full of squirrels, but haven't been there since Sept 19. I hunted for the first time since then on 10/31 for about 3 hrs in afternoon and only killed the one&only I seen, hunting near home in Catrons creek. Find the Mash & I'm sure you'll still find plenty squacks, but I'm sure there's been some migrating going on! Best of Luck to you & your son!

Thanks Kaibaby...we'll give it a shot regardless. I'm from up Evarts way and constantly hunt up in that area. My father in law always talks about the good ole days of Squirrel hunting and the abundant number of tree rats roaming those mountians. It seems as if nowdays you have to walk all over the mountians just to find one or two. I haven't tried around Martins Fork but would imagine it would be a good idea to give it a shot. Did you hunt near the Old Lake..near the dam?

We will be out w/ either the .22 or the .17HMR...hoping that I can get the boy on some squirrels...he deserves it especially with me being gone for so long...wish us luck and thanks so much for your help!

[Kaibaby]

Haven't been near the Old Lake in a number of years but my hunting buddy went on the Stone Mt. side-mid lake area (Troublesome) early in season and it was filthy with squirrels. He limited easily. He went back aprox 3-4 weeks ago and never killed a squirrel. I work up Evarts way and from most I talked too up that way said there was plenty of squirrels most everywhere, again early season, but not heard anything recently. Just laydown some boot leather till you find em! Hope you & son the best cause no doubt you deserve it, and thanks for your Service and God Bless!!