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Found a Red Oak Flat, Now what..

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1.8K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  JJ4D  
J
#1 ·
So I finally found an oak flat to hunt on public land. It's not getting any pressure as it's much further than any normal hunter is willing to travel. >3 miles from the nearest road/path/trail. I happened to luck out and walked into it when I was doing some power scouting on Friday morning after a sit.

How close to the actual tree's should I set up? Should I set up outside of it on what I believe to be a travel corridor? Should I hunt it now or wait until the end of October/Beginning of November?
 
#2 ·
If it's red oaks as you say I wouldn't bother with it, they're after the white oaks. You find them and you'll be in business.
 
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S
#5 ·
I wouldn't say to abandon it. They prefer white oak, but if there aren't any around they will eat the red oak as well. If it looks like they are spending any time in there hunt it. If not look again in a few weeks as they may start hitting it once the white oaks are depleted.
 
J
#6 ·
Theres tons of tracks and poop. They are hitting it pretty hard.

Now that we have that established, How close to the actual tree's should I set up? Should I set up outside of it on what I believe to be a travel corridor? Should I hunt it now or wait until the end of October/Beginning of November
 
#7 ·
Deer are going to take what's available. Many spots around that area only have red oak. The lower elevations have little mast production this year. 4 of my group back there have taken 6 doe and 3 buck from red oak stands so far this season. The deer are hitting the areas HARD.
 
#8 ·
Hunt it now while the deer are feeding there. The deer , raccoons, turkey and squirrels will consume the acorns must quicker than you think and move to another area. If they are feeding on the red oaks, hunt the red oaks. As states above hunt the wind, find the best access using the wind on that particular day.

If you are hunting from a tree stand, you may want to enter shortly after daylight and assure the deer are not feeding there at the time and you spook them away. When clear set up quickly and quietly and stand all day.

Take a good shot and post picture....
 
#10 ·
As stated- go with the wind direction and I would want it coming into my face at a 45* angle. Directly into the wind has caused me to have deer come directly into me, and then I didn't have any shot at the vital area. If I can get them crossing in front of me, then the shot selection becomes easier. I would say put the source of the acorns at what you feel is a easy shot, and if they hang up 20 yard sooner, you still have a comfortable shot.

Then hope the deer get the same email!
 
#11 ·
Deer will feed on red acorns and I have seen them many times eat reds when white acorns were in the same flat. Let the deer sign dictate were you hunt. Hunt it as soon as you can paying attention to the wind, usually a climbing treestand is your best bet for the real time wind when you hunt it. It's hard not to spook deer leaving these flats after dark, so you usually only have a few chances. I would look at the oak flat on a map that shows wind direction and come up with a plan on how you want to enter and set up and probably your best bet is an evening hunt where you can be set up around noon or so.
 
J
#12 ·
Thanks for the input everyone.

Looks like afternoon hunt will be ideal for this spot as it's the only chance I'll have to get in and not bump anything. I'm looking for a S SE wind. Not going to happen this week.....Bummer
 
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