Where the acorns
actually fell.

Hard mast — primarily acorns from white oak and red oak — is the highest-calorie natural fall food for whitetail deer and the single biggest driver of early-season movement patterns. Heavy mast scatters deer and breaks traditional stand sites. A mast failure compresses deer onto remaining food and makes them dramatically more predictable. Pick your state below for year-over-year reports and hunter strategy.

Data is sourced from state forestry agency mast surveys, state wildlife agency deer-program reports, and USDA Forest Service FIA data where state-level surveys are limited.