Oak Groves

[Zachappa]

Quick question for the wise and experienced.

I did some scouting over the weekend and stumbled on an old trail in Palomar. After a ridge, it opened up to an old Oak grove. (filled with acorns)

I think it may be a good spot in fall, but wanted to get peoples thoughts on deer behavior and oak groves.

Didn't see any fresh signs (dropped a few cams) but i'm wondering if they will come later.

 

[sportyg]

keep an eye out for when the acorns are getting ripe then you may see deer in there

 

[Zachappa]

cool. thanks. Sounds like i'll build a stand out there and keep and eye out.

 

[ilovesprig]

Acorns & deer are like peanut butter & jelly....Great find and watch closely.

ps...Turkeys, quail, & pigeons like 'em too.

 

[Zachappa]

oh i can't wait, to see what the cams pull up. Any idea on when the acorns start to drop?

 

[ilovesprig]

oh i can't wait, to see what the cams pull up. Any idea on when the acorns start to drop?

Late summer. early fall...Those are probably live oak or canyon live oak...Black oak (July 4th) and Engleman's are a little later

.

 

[longbowhunter2]

That's a gold mine. Keep it secret.
Cams will definitely will see deer.
Agree with Sprig deer love acorns.

 

[Nuevo]

Only thing better would be an apple orchard

 

[ilovesprig]

Only thing better would be an apple orchard

Yep.....

.

 

[surfcity]

Wild Pig like them too...That would be a site...

 

[Nuevo]

That could be a one stop shop!

 

[Zachappa]

not that I needed another reason to be excited but looks like I have one... Thanks guys. I'll post camp pics once I let them soak.

 

[sportyg]

You can expect a few others there come season, there are no secret spots on that mountain

 

[ilovesprig]

not that I needed another reason to be excited but looks like I have one... Thanks guys. I'll post camp pics once I let them soak.

One other thing, if you can find a water source near that oak grove...It's pretty dry on that side of the mountain...It would be a great place for another camera.

 

[Zachappa]

One other thing, if you can find a water source near that oak grove...It's pretty dry on that side of the mountain...It would be a great place for another camera.

Yes, there are some small trickling creeks in that area, I put one camera on the biggest one to see where the deer would cross. (I'm hoping that it's still flowing when I check the cam)

Well aware that there are no secret spots on palomar. New to me is still new and exciting to learn more.

 

[Zachappa]

Update: let the cameras soak and went up and grabbed the pictures.

Saw more hunters/Hikers than deer. (not surprised, i'll probably see them on opening day)

In fact, I saw a doe and fawn a handful of times and that was all the cam's caught.

While there, I heard some noise, looked up and there was this spike.



Always a good sign to see some action, but when i went to the area he was at, I saw a lot of really good sign, from droppings to new trails.

Then I spent some time looking at which trees were holding and I noticed a cluster of trees that were holding a lot of acorns.

Re positioned my cameras between those oaks and where I think the deer are bedding.

Cleared a few spots of dried oak leaves so I can enter the area quietly and left it so i can return and finalize my game plan for opening day.

 

[skeet]

Right on keep at it

 

[Zachappa]

Hooold up, wait a minute!

Looks like I did get something worth while on the cam

 

[TRICER]

It looks like he is jumping over that fallen tree?

 

[HATCHET1]

My kinda buck right there....come on August!!!