West Virginia Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook

West Virginia Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The 2015 "Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook" is available on the Division of Natural Resources' website and at DNR offices across the state, according to Paul Johansen, Chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section.  Since 1971, the Wildlife Resources Section, in cooperation with volunteers from numerous other agencies, has conducted a fall mast survey to determine the abundance of mast produced by 18 species of trees and shrubs.
"The availability of fall foods has significant impacts on wildlife populations and harvests," said Johansen.  "Our biologists have used the mast survey data to demonstrate a strong correlation between mast conditions and deer, bear and turkey harvests. In addition to the impacts on harvests, the amount of food available each year can affect the reproductive success of numerous species which will affect population sizes in following years."
Production of acorns is significantly less than in 2014 and will have noticeable effects on the 2015–2016 hunting seasons. However, hickory, walnut, and beech produced mast well above the 44-year average. Considering all 18 species of trees and shrubs surveyed, food conditions are slightly above the long-term average.
"It is very important for hunters to scout and consider the type and amount of food available in the areas that they hunt," added Johansen. Hunters can find a wealth of facts in the 'Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook' and it should provide them valuable information before heading into the field."
Copies of the 2015 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook may be found on the DNR website at www.wvdnr.gov under "Hunting."  Information analyzing mast conditions and wildlife harvests also is available on the website.

**DNR**

West Virginia 2014 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook

Northern Red Oak

SOUTH CHARLESTON, West Virginia – The 2014 "Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook" is available on the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website and printed copies will soon be available at DNR offices across the state, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section.  Since 1971, the Wildlife Resources Section, in cooperation with volunteers from numerous other agencies, has conducted a fall mast survey to determine the abundance of mast produced by 18 species of trees and shrubs.
"The availability of fall foods has significant impact on wildlife populations and harvests," said Taylor. "Our biologists have used the mast survey data to demonstrate the strong correlation between mast conditions and deer, bear and turkey harvests. In addition to the impacts on harvests, the amount of food available each year can affect the reproductive success of numerous species which will affect population sizes in following years."
Production of acorns is much improved over 2013 and will have noticeable effects on the 2014-2015 hunting seasons. However, hickory and beech produced mast well below the 43-year average. Considering all 18 species of trees and shrubs surveyed, food conditions are at the long-term average.
"It is very important for hunters to scout and consider the type and amount of food available in the areas that they hunt," added Taylor. "One of the primary traits of this year's mast crop is its consistency across the landscape. Hunters can find a wealth of facts in the 'Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook' and it should provide them valuable information before heading into the field."
Copies of the 2014 "Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook" may be downloaded from the DNR website at www.wvdnr.gov under "Hunting." Information analyzing mast conditions and wildlife harvests also is available on the website.

**DNR**

Seems to me that they should also include a commodity index for the price of corn.

Mast Report

Chestnut Oak

Wildlife in the High Virginia's had a tough go last winter. They had almost no help from our mast producers. this was topped off with heavy, lingering snow, with an underlayer of ice.  This made it real hard for critters to survive. My personal observations have been that the turkeys, while having a tough time in the highlands, fared better than the deer. There is good news for those who survived. Food will be available for consumption during the fall and winter season.

White Oak and Chestnut Oak acorns are plentiful, Red Oak supplies are good at most locations. Scarlet Oak is spotty and I haven't found alot of Beech. Wild Black Cherry and Grapes seem to be plentiful and there are alot of Apples at several locations. Hickory dosen't appear adbundant, but most trees have nuts.

There are alot of people who's wildlife food concerns are based on the price of corn. A plentiful mast crop will make for alot of people sitting around, staring at mouldy corn-piles. Too many, have never learned to hunt natural food supplies. It is my hope that those who belong to the WV Master-Baiters Society, will have a long and boring season.

Wild Grapes

Sadly, in the area of northwestern Randolph County where I live and used to hunt; about the only oak trees left, are in people's yards and along the roadsides. The ditches are full of acorns, this will allow the groundhogs to fatten up, so that the clear-cut dwelling coyotes will have something good to eat.

Looking ahead; as I am sitting on my deer stand in the high mountains on opening day, I hope to hear little shooting from the corn-pile bottoms and once again, actually see deer in the woods.