soft mast

Top Soft Mast Species for Early Season Deer Attraction by Region

Aug 3, 2022 Cheyne Matzenbacher

Early hunting season can be a bountiful time in the deer woods if you do your homework, scout, and know where to place your stand or blind for a better shot opportunity. One of the…

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A Guide to Planting Pears for Deer

Jan 23, 2015 David Osborn

It doesn’t matter if you grew up chasing whitetails in the North or South, you likely have fond memories of hunting near a stand you called “the old home place.” What is it about long-abandoned…

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Crabapples for Deer: How to Pick a Winner

Jan 22, 2015 David Osborn

When I was asked to contribute an article to Quality Whitetails magazine about selecting crabapple varieties for use in deer orchards, I readily accepted the challenge. However, it didn’t take long to realize I’d opened a…

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Hunt and Gather: Venison Pastitsio and Crabapple Nut Bread

Jul 28, 2014 Bruce and Elaine Ingram

For a fortnight last October, the most exciting pattern I experienced involved a steady stream of deer coming to scarf up fruit under a pear tree. Setting up nearby, I ended up killing two fine does…

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15 Tips for Planting Deer-Hunting Orchards

Jan 17, 2014 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

I’ve been planting trees for deer habitat management since I started helping my dad when I was about 10 years old. I’m in my 40s now and still planting them. I’ve learned a lot about…

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Know Your Deer Plants: American Plum

Apr 30, 2012 Matt Ross

One of the most limiting factors I’ve noticed on undermanaged hunting properties is the lack of good escape and security cover. Another item frequently absent is an adequate proportion, variety and quality of soft mast….

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Sex Among the Persimmons

Mar 28, 2012 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

If you think this is about people having sex in the woods, I’m sorry to disappoint. It’s about persimmon trees having sex in the woods. Far less interesting, I know, at least until hunting season…

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Don’t Get Burned by Fireblight

Mar 27, 2012 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

A southern crabapple planted at QDMA Headquarters in Georgia was one of those uncommon trees that blows past all of its sister seedlings planted the same year – rocketing upwards in height, spreading a beautiful…

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