I was thinking about putting out some horse chestnuts to bait deer. I know that the squirrels will take them as well but I’m ok with them accidentally planting some in my woodlot.
just looking to try something different.
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I was thinking about putting out some horse chestnuts to bait deer. I know that the squirrels will take them as well but I’m ok with them accidentally planting some in my woodlot.
just looking to try something different.
That's a good question...I read once that deer do eat them, but I have never tried them on the bait pile. I know a lady that has a few trees, I should get a bag full and give them a try.
My daughter’s cottage has a tree and I thought I would try. If nothing else the squirrels will inadvertently plant some for me in my woodlot. Once I gave some I’ll set up a trail camera to see what eats them.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
I would put them in or close to a known good bait pile like apples that'll bring the deer in and see if they 'find' them.
I put some in my food plot with apples and two other piles with apples, Chestnuts and sweetly supplement. We’ll see what happens on the trail cameras.
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I suspect if a deer will eat acorns, that they will also eat chestnuts. It is progressing towards that time of year when their digest system has a refit. That is to say the micro-organism in their stomachs undergo a change that allows them to switch to harsher roughage, which they have to live on over the winter months. Apparently even juniper bushes once they acquire a taste for them become one of their favorites. They also like mushrooms.
You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut
Horse chestnuts are pretty bitter not sure squirrels eat them or at least stash them away maybe you get a tree out of it
Just noticed the beechnuts are starting to fall Large crop of acorns
I have them at my house and squirrels devour them. Never enough left to bother picking them up for bait.