South Dakota deer rely on prairie forage, ag, and shelter belts more than acorns. Bur oak savannas in the eastern third of the state produce limited but locally important mast along major river drainages.
Categorical ratings (failure → excellent) per year. Overall is solid; white oak and red oak series are dashed.
| Year | Overall | White Oak | Red Oak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | fair | fair | fair |
| 2023 | fair | fair | fair |
| 2024 | fair | fair | fair |
| 2025 | unknown | unknown | unknown |
Most recent first. Click through to a year-specific page for a permanent reference link.
No statewide mast survey published.
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.
Average for state's limited mast habitat.
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.
Average for state's limited mast habitat.
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.
Bur oak production average in eastern timber pockets.
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.
Without a current mast read, lean on travel-corridor and food-plot setups while you scout for productive oaks in the field.
USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory & Analysis — FIA forest inventory plots; Continuous national inventory.
USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory & AnalysisAlways cross-reference with the most current published agency report. Mast surveys update annually in late summer to early fall.
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.
