Bield:Hunt
Acorn & mast crop

California mast crop reports.

2025 overallUnknown

California deer (blacktail in coastal and Sierra zones, mule deer elsewhere) feed heavily on valley oak, blue oak, and live oak acorns where they occur. Mast is highly variable year to year and elevation to elevation, and statewide survey data is limited.

White OakOther Hard Mast

Multi-year trend

Categorical ratings (failure → excellent) per year. Overall is solid; white oak and red oak series are dashed.

YearOverallWhite OakRed Oak
2022fairfairfair
2023fairfairfair
2024goodgoodgood
2025unknownunknownunknown

Yearly reports

Most recent first. Click through to a year-specific page for a permanent reference link.

2025

Annual mast report
OverallUnknown
White OakUnknown
Red OakUnknown
Other MastUnknown
Regional notes

Statewide survey data not yet published for the current season.

Hunter implication

Crop quality not yet documented for this year. Check the linked agency source for the most current published survey, and scout productive oaks directly when in the field.

2024

Annual mast report
OverallGood
White OakGood
Red OakGood
Other MastGood
Regional notes

Wetter winter improved mast production in most coast and Sierra regions.

Hunter implication

Mast is plentiful enough to pull deer off plots and ag fields. Find the productive oaks and set up tight; expect deer to be less predictable on traditional stand sites built for travel routes.

2023

Annual mast report
OverallFair
White OakFair
Red OakFair
Other MastFair
Regional notes

Variable — some recovery in northern coast ranges, ongoing dryness in the south.

Hunter implication

Mixed conditions — some areas with productive oaks, others without. Scout for the pockets that produced and hunt the travel routes between bedding and mast. Plots and ag fields still hold deer where mast failed.

2022

Annual mast report
OverallFair
White OakFair
Red OakFair
Other MastFair
Regional notes

Drought conditions reduced acorn production in much of the state.

Hunter implication

Mixed conditions — some areas with productive oaks, others without. Scout for the pockets that produced and hunt the travel routes between bedding and mast. Plots and ag fields still hold deer where mast failed.

How to hunt a unknown mast year in California

Without a current mast read, lean on travel-corridor and food-plot setups while you scout for productive oaks in the field.

Primary source

California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).

California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Additional sources

Always cross-reference with the most current published agency report. Mast surveys update annually in late summer to early fall.

Scout mast locations on your map.

Statewide mast reports tell you what to expect in general. Bield: Hunt logs every productive oak you find on your specific land — and turns multi-season data into stand sites that compound year after year.