Any luck hunting persimmons trees.

[matt steed]

I have numerous persimmon trees on my hunting property. They are loaded with persimmons this year. I have only hunted them one time. I think the raccoons and opossums eat the persimmons before October 1st. If they are good for bowhunting, I could probably detour the raccoons and opossums, if it would be worth the time and effort.  I have also notice that the trees are loaded with acorns this year.


Have y'all had any luck with persimmons?

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Up here dropping persimmons are gold for early season. John Hale told me way back years ago that he thought a hot persimmon tree in the right spot was a guy's best chance for a mature buck early season.  We dont have alot of persimmons here, though, when you find one it's good.

R

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Chris Spikes has killed piles of deer off persimmons in his area (GA I believe).

[Sam McMichael]

Deer love 'em!

[bucknut]

Absolutely,  I have more luck later in the season here though.  Late October seems to be when the majority of them fall and the deer can't resist them. I have a monster persimmon on the edge of my field. Bad thing is it's right beside the road.  I'm sure many of the bucks that just disappeared have been poached from under that very tree.

[Jack Denbow]

What Ryan said.

[Cory Mattson]

Yes we hunt Persimmons - here N.C. and GA
Piedmont NC September 20 till early October
GA early too September
On the Savannah River in tidal areas I found Persimmons that were loaded with ripe fruit mid July- and even though hogs and deer checked at night Raccoons and Opossum would climb and get most before they hit the ground.
True a great way to fill a buck tag - mature bucks will stroll right in - during shootable light best to hunt single trees back in the woods
We shoot a couple of does every year early on Persimmons too.
In our area the solid white oak drop shuts the Persimmon action down quickly so gotta watch both and yes as noted looks like both persimmons and oaks are loaded around here this year.
Blackbeard has Persimmon trees and the drop usually coincides with the October hunt dates.
Looking forward to it!!!

[Steelhead]

How could a deer possibly pass up a persimmon tree that was dropping fruit.Its like candy for deer.Thier were not that many where I used to hunt before I moved up North.That makes it even easier if you can find one.

[matt steed]

I am going to keep a good check on them. If they are still there October 1st, I will give them a try.

[Steelhead]

I would probably hunt the ones with the most droppings or well used trails leading to them.Ones near bedding areas could be fruitful.Especially for mature bucks.

Since you have many it makes it more difficult IMO on which one to set up on.A large group close together might be beneficial as the deer can make a milk run on those and its efficient for them.Some trees bare more fruit than others and the amount can be seasonal.Look for the Motherload.

Their were very few where I hunted in Southern IL when I was in college.Probably at their more northern most range.Not sure though?But I located a couple and they did have fruit in October.I scored on those setups.Thier were typically buck droppings around those trees along with normal droppings.

[Sam McMichael]

I have found many young persimmon trees on my place. I looked them up on-line and it indicated that they start producing fruit at about 20 years. I guess I won't be around when these trees start making fruit.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Sam, they are also gendered trees...male and female - of course only females have fruit.  The number of male trees in the wild often way exceeds female trees, so you can have lots of trees with only a few bearing ones.

R

[smokin joe]

I have also found that the trails too and from the persimmon tree will provide thicker cover to set up in. Everything eats persimmons, it seems. Around here I even see lots of sign of coyotes on them. If you can find a tree with lots of fruit still dropping when your deer season opens you might have a hot spot that is worth paying attention to.

[Huntschool]

Their were very few where I hunted in Southern IL when I was in college. Probably at their more northern most range. Not sure though? But I located a couple and they did have fruit in October. I scored on those setups. There were typically buck droppings around those trees along with normal droppings.

Steelhead:

I assume you were at SIU.  I found loads of em out in the Crab Orchard complex.  Plus down in Johnson County.  Still live in Johnson and have a number on my property's.  They are deer magnets if the coons and possums will leave some.

Just sayin

[Bowwild]

I have at least three "clusters" of persimmon trees on my property. I've not hunted them much but have had opportunities for Does. I put a camera by one a few years ago and the diversity of beasts that I caught eating them is pretty strong; deer, raccoon, opossum and coyote.

[Wudstix]

They work in Texas as long as the hogs don't clean them up first.