Acorn & mast crop
California deer (blacktail in coastal and Sierra zones, mule deer elsewhere) feed heavily on valley oak, blue oak, and live oak acorns where they occur. Mast is highly variable year to year and elevation to elevation, and statewide survey data is limited.
Multi-year trend
Categorical ratings 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 | Good | Good | Good |
| 2025 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Yearly reports
Click through to a year-specific page for a permanent reference link.
Annual mast report
2025
White oak
Red oak
Other mast
Regional notes
Statewide survey data not yet published for the current season.
Hunter implication
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.
Annual mast report
2024
White oak
Red oak
Other mast
Regional notes
Wetter winter improved mast production in most coast and Sierra regions.
Hunter implication
Mast is plentiful enough to pull deer off plots and ag fields. Find the productive oaks and set up tight; expect deer to be less predictable on traditional stand sites built for travel routes.
Annual mast report
2023
White oak
Red oak
Other mast
Regional notes
Variable — some recovery in northern coast ranges, ongoing dryness in the south.
Hunter implication
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.
Annual mast report
2022
White oak
Red oak
Other mast
Regional notes
Drought conditions reduced acorn production in much of the state.
Hunter implication
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.
Hunter strategy
Without a current mast read, lean on travel-corridor and food-plot setups while you scout for productive oaks in the field.
Additional sources
Always cross-reference with the most current published agency report before basing planning decisions on this page.
State-wide mast surveys are a starting point. Bield: Hunt lets you pin the specific oaks producing on your property, track drop year over year, and find the stands those trees pull deer to.
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