Mast situation?

[KYBOY]

First one of the season the other day. Killed another right after in hickories.. saw several more but too far away. That’s a 20ga Charles Daly I’ve had for almost 20 years. Bought it because it has a cherekoted barrel and aluminum frame, synthetic stock. Didn’t have to worry about busting brush with it

 

[davers]

I've seen night and day differences in oak stands a half a mile apart before. Not sure why but it happens.

Sometimes I wonder if there is an infestation of insects or worms that take a toll on Hickory and/or Oak acorns. I am finding several acorns and small hickory nuts with a worm hole in the shells.

 

[JGD]

Hunted this past weekend even though the weather was awful. Didn't locate many squirrels and only killed 3. The Shagbarks looked cut out for the most part. Still saw a few in Bitternut. I did see one cutting a Chestnut Oak and Tulip Poplar. From past experience when squirrels turn to Chestnut Oaks or deer too for that matter, there is not a lot of anything else for them. But, I've seen and heard of White Oaks being loaded in some locals.

John

 

[davers]

Hunted this past weekend even though the weather was awful. Didn't locate many squirrels and only killed 3. The Shagbarks looked cut out for the most part. Still saw a few in Bitternut. I did see one cutting a Chestnut Oak and Tulip Poplar. From past experience when squirrels turn to Chestnut Oaks or deer too for that matter, there is not a lot of anything else for them. But, I've seen and heard of White Oaks being loaded in some locals.

John

I haven't seen many Squirrels either, John. Earlier, I though the mast crop: Hickory, Beech, & Walnut would be excellent, since we didn't have any late freezes this year. The only mast I see is White Oak Acorns, and that is where you'll find Squirrels. I believe we have an insect pest (Bore) issue here in Central Kentucky, as I've seen many unripe Hickory nuts back in Mid-July with small boreholes. I've never seen a year where we didn't have Walnuts, and believe the insects got to the forming Walnuts in an early stage of development.

 

[keeruss8]

My buddy came to deer hunt last weekend and brought his son. His son and I shot squirrels while he deer hunted. They are piled in the hickory trees along my driveway. Most shots right from the porch.

 

[1wildcatfan]

Squirrels cutting the heck out of beech nuts on our place.
What type of oak is this? Always thought this was red oak. Huge acorns. I'm I wrong......again.

 

[JGD]

Wildcat, I believe that's a Chestnut Oak I referenced above. Most years they fall on the ground and nothing touches them.

John

 

[carnivore]

I've been laid up in bed sick all day yesterday (got the damn COVID) and decided to drag my carcass out of bed and go for a little walk this morning. I've never heard more squirrels cutting nuts in all my life. It was literally raining cuttings everywhere, all hickory. I very much wanted to go back to the house and get a gun but I knew I wouldn't feel up to cleaning them.

Hope you recover quickly!

 

[KY_Fried]

Hope you recover quickly!

Thanks, I'm completely over it now.

 

[KYBOY]

Ive been sick all weekend, havnt got to hunt since Thursday.. Ran a temp for 2-3 days, doc swore it was covid but test was neg.. Im getting over it now so Im gonna hit it tomorrow..

 

[KYBOY]

Squirrels cutting the heck out of beech nuts on our place.
What type of oak is this? Always thought this was red oak. Huge acorns. I'm I wrong......again.
View attachment 104737

That does look like a chestnut oak, if you can remember the leaves? Chestnut oak leaves dont look like a typical oak leaf.. Longer without lobes

 

[KYBOY]

chestnut oak leaf

 

[1wildcatfan]

Wildcat, I believe that's a Chestnut Oak I referenced above. Most years they fall on the ground and nothing touches them.

John

And this??

chestnut oak leaf

 

[KYBOY]

sure looks like a match to me bud..

 

[KY_Fried]

Ive been sick all weekend, havnt got to hunt since Thursday.. Ran a temp for 2-3 days, doc swore it was covid but test was neg.. Im getting over it now so Im gonna hit it tomorrow..

I tested negative the first few days I was sick. I think my nose was so dry the tests didn't work. As soon as my sinuses starting running on day 3 I tested positive.