How valuable are persimmons?

[HottyToddy]

I've found a bottom that's holding 3 mature persimmon trees in very close proximity. I've had cameras in nearby areas (100-400y away), but never on these trees. Those cameras haven't produced a lot of deer traffic.

Are persimmons so coveted by deer that I should be sitting that when they start dropping? Will they draw deer to them, or is it just a nice score for the deer that stumbles upon them?

 

[bowhunterfanatic]

My opinion is that most years it's just a nice score for a deer that stumbles on them. I used to think they were a goldmine but once i started to try and hunt and / or monitor them my experince never matched my expectations. I used to walk entire blocks of timber looking for them but I don't pay them much attention now.

I will say, the best ones I've ever known of was a group of 8-10 mature trees in close proximity, so if those 3 are loaded I wouldn't write them off entirely.

 

[Andy S.]

I'd say the latter.

In my 34 years of scouting and hunting deer in west TN, persimmons can be feast or famine. In more recent years, they seem to have lost their luster on the properties I hunt. For the properties and the years I had the best luck, it was always archery season, and typically on afternoon hunts.

 

[Griswold]

In my last 36 years of deer hunting, they aren't very much

 

[BSK]

Just remember there are two varieties of native persimmons. One type ripens and drops fruit in September. The other ripens and drops over a prolonged period, and will often still be dropping ripe fruit into December. These second type - the late, prolonged producers - ARE a gold-mine. Not many native fruiting trees exist that drop fruit into late November and December.

 

[ImThere]

I used to hunt near one that was insanely popular with the deer. I have video of 20 or so deer just hanging out eating them. What appeared to be the same tree less than 3 miles away as the crow flies I never, ever seen a deer, deer poop, deer tracks or any sign of deer within 50 yards of the tree. I don't know what the difference is or was.

 

[deerhunter10]

I like finding them and having them on my property. But its not something I set on exclusively. Not all years but some years ive seen more coons and coyotes eat them more then deer.

We have a spot call the persimmons its got 50 or 60 persimmons trees in a 10 acre block. Its pretty good but its a lot of food one th ground, not a random tree in the middle of a 50 acre block.

 

[Lost Lake]

Years back, persimmons during archery season were a gold mine for me. One place had a stand of trees close to an oak covered hillside, and I killed a slough of deer there.

Another was as a bottleneck leading to a creek crossing on the way to a beanfield. Morning or evening in early archery season, deer were always feeding within bow range til the persimmons disappeared.

Man, I had it good in those places.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

I've got exactly one persimmon tree on my place. It's never seemed to be hot spot for deer. Seems like raccoons and coyotes like them more than deer.

 

[HottyToddy]

Appreciate the insight. I didn't think they were magnetic for deer, but maybe was hoping they were? lol

I might give it a sit or two if they're really falling heavy, but won't make any serious plans around it.

Thanks all!

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Hit or miss on deer. You would be amazed how many coyotes eat. I've got a couple hundred scattered around from where old homesteads used to be. They do draw in pigs like crazy but deer is very hit or miss in my experience.

 

[Andy S.]

Appreciate the insight. I didn't think they were magnetic for deer, but maybe was hoping they were? lol

I might give it a sit or two if they're really falling heavy, but won't make any serious plans around it.

Thanks all!

If it were me, I'd focus more on deer droppings than persimmons on the ground.

 

[Lost Lake]

If it were me, I'd focus on more on deer droppings than persimmons on the ground.

Great point.

For me, I think it was good because those persimmons were in close proximity to other food sources/travel routes that the deer were using anyway, and they'd hit the persimmons.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

got three in my mother in laws home (grandson there now) and when they start dropping, deer show up every afternoon and stay till dark. this is in a neighborhood, i don't have a clue where they come from... had a big doe in my front yard yesterday, and in my back yard this morning eating leaves from my shrubs that my wife wanted dug up. now, she has asked "can we feed them?" :cool:

 

[drawforce]

There great for coyote hunting . Never seen a deer near one for that reason .

 

[Snake]

I've had decent luck hunting around persimmon trees on the lease we had in Lincoln Co. but only during bow season .

 

[cbhunter]

I put a camera on the one in my front yard every year. It's used HEAVILY at night when the fruits drop.

Deer
Coyotes
Fox
Armadillo
Opposum

Seems like I'm forgetting a species or two

 

[Ski]

I've seen it both ways, but never have I seen a mature buck eating them in daylight. Good spot to catch young deer in my experience. As others have said raccoons and coyotes and birds and possums like them a lot.

 

[megalomaniac]

Dont hunt the persimmon tree with fruit. Hunt the persimmon tree with 2 dozen sets of deer dropping under them. Just like oaks.

If you find that tree dropping and being used, its a shooting gallery.

At least that has been my personal experience.

Or just get your baiting permit, pile up the golden nuggets, and sit on that. Prob more effective than woodsmanship.

 

[Ski]

Or just get your baiting permit, pile up the golden nuggets, and sit on that. Prob more effective than woodsmanship.

Lol don't be so jaded.......but you're not wrong. Corn probably beats persimmons.

 

[megalomaniac]

Lol don't be so jaded.......but you're not wrong. Corn probably beats persimmons.

I wont lie... im a tad nervous this year... I know my neighbors will be piling the corn up on my line. The first year baiting is allowed may actually influence some older bucks as they haven't learned to avoid bait stations. We will see if our 4.5yo kill decreases this year or not. If it does, I'll place some strategic 6 strand barbwire fence in certain places to remedy that.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Fruit everywhere this year so not really a draw in my area except maybe yotes coons and possums.

 

[DoubleRidge]

I love having persimmons on the property...we dont actually hunt over them...but its nice having as many different food sources as possible.

 

[MickThompson]

If it were me, I'd focus more on deer droppings than persimmons on the ground.

I don't know, ripe persimmons taste a lot better than I'd imagine ripe deer turds do

 

[TNlandowner]

Just remember there are two varieties of native persimmons. One type ripens and drops fruit in September. The other ripens and drops over a prolonged period, and will often still be dropping ripe fruit into December. These second type - the late, prolonged producers - ARE a gold-mine. Not many native fruiting trees exist that drop fruit into late November and December.

I second the value of persimmon fruit. We have several persimmon trees that drop October into December with a few fruit hanging on until Mid-January. Deer and about every animal around our farm feed on these native fruits.

Put a camera there and get ready for a lot of photos...

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

Persimmons can put a lot of meat in your freezer and a big buck on your wall, I have found them hard to hunt in the mornings because most hunters are entering the woods at prime feeding time, I have killed some big bucks by entering a hour after daylight and waiting on them to come back at the next feeding time