2018 Silviculture Institute‐‐Mixed Oak‐Hickory 7/12/2018

Acorn Abundance Patterns and Their Implication for Wildlife

By Michael Gregonis Wildlife Biologist

7/12/2018 2018 Siviculture Institute‐‐Mixed Oak‐Hickory

Why Are Acorns Important ???

‐Valuable Food Resource ‐Highly Nutritious ‐ Survival ‐ Reproductive Output ‐Population Dynamics ‐Hunting Opportunities ‐Hunter Success

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Acorn Predators Acorn Weevil

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Acorn Moth

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White‐footed Mouse

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Eastern Chipmunk

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Gray Squirrel

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Wood Duck

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Wild Turkey

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Black Bear

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White‐tailed Deer

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Acorn Surveys 1) Regional Mast Survey 2) Deer Hunter Survey

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Regional Mast Survey

‐Originated 2004 ‐NEWTTC ‐NEWAA ‐CT Implementation 2007

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Cooperating States

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12 Connecticut Sites (575 Trees) 1. Housatonic WMA

2. Sessions Woods WMA

3. Scantic River State Park

4. Belding WMA

5. Yale Forest

6. Aldo Leopold WMA

7. Sleeping Giant State Park

8. Cockaponset State Forest

9. Hurd State Park

10. Franklin Swamp WMA

11. Huntington State Park

12. Barn Island 7/12/2018 2018 Siviculture Institute‐‐Mixed Oak‐Hickory WMA

Annual Regional Mast Index

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Regional Survey: Acorn Abundance

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Regional Survey: Acorn Abundance

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Yale Mast Survey Index (Zone 5)

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Deer Hunter Survey

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Deer Hunter Survey: Methods

In the Zone ,that you hunted most, how would you rank the fall acorn crop ?

Scare Moderate Abundant No Opinion/No oak trees

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Deer Hunter Survey: Acorn Abundance

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Deer Hunter Statewide Mast Survey 1993‐2016

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Hunter Success Rates : Deer Hunter Survey

Hunter Success Rate Vs Acorn Productivity

44 6 Abundant Hunter Success Rate Acorn Productivity Acorns

5 39

4

34 Moderate Acorns 3

29

Hunter Success Hunter Success Rate (%) 2

24 1

Scarce 19 0 Acorns

Year

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DKIR % : September ‐ December

DKIR % (September - December) vs Acorn Productivity

59 6 DKIR % Sep-Dec Acorn Productivity Abundant Acorns 54 5

49 4

44

3 Moderate 39 Acorns DKIR % (Sep-Dec) % DKIR

2 34

1 29

24 0 Scarce Acorns Year 7/12/2018 2018 Siviculture Institute‐‐Mixed Oak‐Hickory

CT Regional Survey vs. Deer Hunter Survey

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Take Home Messages  Predict Wildlife Population Dynamics  Insights into best Hunting Opportunities  Predict Deer Hunter Success rates

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Future Research  Interactions of acorn, ticks and tick borne diseases  Timing Timber Harvest during Abundant Acorn Years  How acorn abundance affects CT Black Bear Populations  Relationship of acorn abundance and Wild Turkeys  Does acorn abundance affect avian species e.g. ruffed grouse, wood ducks and blue jays  Determine if external characteristics exist in oaks trees that will identify good acorn producers

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Questions?

[email protected]

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Scott Williams, CT Agriculture Experiment Station

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Predator Satiation Hypothesis

Predator Satiation Hypothesis

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Predator Satiation Hypothesis

Predator Satiation‐Synchronization

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Masting

Masting

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Masting

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Tannin and Lipid Content

 White oak acorns  Preferred by all wildlife  Low tannin content  Germinate in the fall

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Tannin and Lipid Content

 Red oak acorns  Higher tannin content (2‐4 times whites)  Lipids 5‐10 times higher than whites  Germinate in the spring

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Deer and Seed Dispersal

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Questions?

[email protected]

[email protected]

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