Deer Foods during Years of Oak Mast Abundance and Scarcity

Seasonal Changes in Heart Rates, Activity, Metabolism, and Forage Intake of White-Tailed Deer

“…Diet digestibility remains higher in the fall when oak mast is an important source of nutrients; Harlow et al (1975) predicted almost twice as much digestible energy during times of mast abundance. Different diets can be tested by altering the phenology equations to consider short-term changes in fruit abundance.…”

Does the shelterwood method to regenerate oak forests affect acorn production and predation?

“…and cynipid wasps, attack acorns causing damage that prevents germination (Kearby et al, 1986;Weckerly et al, 1989;Johnson et al, 2002). Mammals such as deer (Harlow et al, 1975), squirrels (Short, 1976), chipmunks (Pyare et al, 1993) and mice (Gómez et al, 2003) are known predators of acorns and can consume high proportions of the acorn crop in years of poor to moderate production (Sork, 1984). However, mammals and birds also play a beneficial role in oak seed dispersal, and their caching of acorns promotes germination (Darley-Hill and Johnson, 1981;Jensen and Nielsen, 1986).…”

Site and stand variables influencing red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), population densities and tree mortality

“…In the specific area of interest, the Upper and Lower Boston Mountains, oaks are even more predominant comprising 97 and 92%, respectively, of the forested area, and red oak makes up approximately 25% of the live-tree and sawtimber volume (USDA FS, 1999). Loss of red oak in Ozark forests will likely have detrimental impacts, especially on wildlife that rely on mast (acorns) (Van Dersel, 1940;Harlow et al, 1975;Kirkpatrick and Pekins, 2002). Wood degradation associated with red oak borer larval surface feeding galleries and heartwood galleries will almost certainly have economic impacts (Snyder, 1927;Hay and Wootten, 1955;Morris, 1964;Donley et al, 1974).…”