In conclusion, the best deer mineral recipe is one that contains trace minerals, salt, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial to deer. This recipe should also be tailored to meet the needs of the area in which it is being used. This particularly is true for sandy soils, as well as highly acidic (low pH) or basic (high pH) soils. In so doing, we get fantastic response from the deer herd. In reviewing the scientific literature, I quickly discovered there was very little known about critical minerals for deer. Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action. Factors Affecting Mineral Intake But running mineral sites can get a bit pricey. It takes food, shelter, and time to reach the antler growth stage. Using a 32oz cup mix 1-cup dicalcium phosphate 2-cups trace mineral salt and 1-cup rock salt (ice cream salt) into 5-gallon bucket. It also has a lower taste, so deer will return for more. During the summer, finding locations that deer frequent often can be tough. In areas where it is legal to use deer mineral, here is an economic option for you. These two ingredients are bitter, so you may want to add some salt to the lick. If you dont have established mineral sites, then youll need to make some. In this edition of "From The Stand," Pat Hogan explains the importance of being aware of proper clearance when using your bow or crossbow out in the field. Once you've thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, you're done. There are commercial and "homemade" granular mixes available. Once youve thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, youre done. Western Kansas is also flat, and when I say flat, I dont mean kind of flat. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. However, be mindful of your impact to the area and don't risk spooking your buck by delving too deep into his core area. for about $23.00 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores. I group these factors into two categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors. Homemade Mineral Lick Go to your local feed store and buy (1) 50lb bag of granulized dicalcium phosphate, (2) 50lb bags of trace mineral salt, and (1) 50lb bag of rock salt. Your Complete Wildlife Nutrition and Property Management, difference between coated and non coated seeds. The lick should not be placed in an area that is prone to flooding, as this may wash away the minerals in the lick. However, deer are not attracted to a high-salt solution and will not consume it. It won't take long to sink a few hundred bucks into the ground. Bogart, GA 30622 Most commercially-made products are going to run about $20 a bag and each bag will service one site for a couple of months. This time of year, deer are actively searching for salt. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need, correct? This interferes with efficient sodium conversion in the body and increases the need for sodium. Help us continue producing great, educational content by joining the National Deer Association or making a tax-deductible donation. During the spring and summer, deer operate at a sodium deficiency due to the high potassium and water content of the forage. This will help you determine if the lick is being used, and if it needs to be moved or replenished. The Trace Mineral salt has all the different minerals which deer need after a long winter. Food additive these minerals are combined with a supplemental feed, and deer get them while consuming the feed. Part 1, Importance of Soil pH. By using 1-2.5 lb bag of B.Y.O Deer Base to create 25 lbs of deer mineral, you will have the most bio available deer mineral in the market place. Arguably, the test might only be representative for the particular deer mineral I was using, and a different mineral with different salt levels or other attractants might have shown a different result. How to Make the World's Best Homemade Deer Attractant Feed Mineral - YouTube Skip navigation Sign in 0:00 / 18:02 Intro How to Make the World's Best Homemade Deer Attractant Feed. N1 Outdoors - How To Make Your Own Deer Mineral Recipe (and what ingredients you'll need): Trace Minerals 2 parts trace minerals. But I think the aroma of the added products -- the general purpose mineral in the blend above -- helps deer find the location faster and may add some level of taste value as well. Rain will dissolve the mixture. Join us as we mix up the mineral and take it out and put. It would appear that, based on the test results, intake of a free choice deer mineral is substantially lower than what is commonly thought and much closer to the predicted intake based on body weight calculation. Those actually were wonderful days to do research, as my colleagues and I picked the low-hanging fruit of knowledge. Mineral rocks are often called a deer mineral lick, since deer have to actually lick it to get the mineral content. Typically, this attractant comes in the form of straight salt. Over a four year period the researchers were unable to detect any differences between the two deer herds. They have just about every option available to them. In addition to calcium (19 percent) and phosphorus (10 percent), the next most common elements were magnesium (1 percent) and sodium (0.5 percent). That's why mineral licks make excellent trail camera spots in the summer. Mineral licks also provide a great place to survey deer with game cameras. Of course, we now know the Earth isnt flat, but it wasnt a popular belief until science and ocean navigation proved it. This mineral will be for sale in the next 2 weeks!! Research on domestic livestock has documented numerous benefits of mineral supplementation including increased forage intake, improved forage digestion, and increased reproductive success. 2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications. This makes deer actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade licks. While the advantages of mineral supplementation have not been clearly documented, neither have any disadvantages. At least eight were using the site each day, including three yearling does, two adult does, two yearling bucks and one 3-year-old buck. In todays video we are going to show you guys how to make your own deer mineral and save some money. Ohio Hunter Balances Hunting and Family to Bag 190-inch Typical, Dr. Here's how to create your own. Top 5 Best Homemade Deer Attractants Reviewed 1. Notice the pond in the background. Now add in the oats and mix again. Once you begin your mineral-lick program, keep in mind that youll want to refreshen them throughout the year to keep them attracting deer and providing the minerals they need. There also is 5 flavors that are natural to deer. Box 160 These are the most potent and effective of the three elements. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. Creating a lick is certainly fun, inexpensive, and watching deer respond to these licks is satisfying. Whitetail Institute Mineral for Deer 5. Email: info@deerassociation.com. As I detailed in the Spring issue, its safe to say that soils determine more about whitetail growth and productivity than any other factor. A homemade deer mineral lick should include minerals that are essential for deer health, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, and selenium. The 2 most important elements on a tag are the calcium levels and phosphorous levels. As fall approaches, vegetation begins to mature and drop in potassium. Mineral sites do exactly that. The author dispenses granular mineral into a covered trough. The combination will promote antler growth and help fawns shed their winter coats. More Info At www.huntingnet.com Visit site Dicalcium Phosphate - #50 - $20.10. Michigan Hunter Shoots 200-class Non-typical After Oversleeping That Morning, How to Find Big Buck Sanctuaries in the Spring, Potential Kentucky State Record Crossbow Typical Shot in Hemp Field, Iowa Bowhunter Goes Stealth Mode with a Tree Saddle to Bag 194-inch Non-typical, Saskatchewan Hunter Finds Target Sheds After Looking for Multiple Days, Nebraska Shed Hunter's Wife and Dog Find 6x9 Set One Year After Learning About the Buck, Oklahoma Hunter Sticks Heavy-antlered Non-typical After Gaining Permission on Property. Dicalcium phosphate contains around 19 percent phosphorous and 20 to 25 percent calcium. One method for making your own mineral blocks is to mix them with soil. In terms of trying to identify the total number of different deer using each sight, how much did human error play into the results? All soils are made up of minerals, and there are clear deficiencies in many areas. Discussion Once youve tagged that big whitetail deer, take a look at some of our most popular venison recipes like our Old School Deer Jerky Recipe or the Delicious Deer Backstrap Crockpot Recipe, What Is A Piebald Deer? For several years now, I have been formulating free choice minerals for wild deer. Its a bountiful area that produces wheat, corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of people around the world. WATCH: Where to Place Minerals for the Best Results. Research shows granular minerals facilitate increased consumption by animals as theyre able to literally eat (vs. lick) the mixture. If you dont see any deer activity near the mineral sight, try placing it near water sources and a good tree for trail cameras. JavaScript is disabled. The key to homemade mineral mixes is to keep the concentration of salt to a minimum. Mar 18, 2010. Well provide the latest updates on CWD spread, research and policy from across North America. You can do more or less depending on the amount of use you get at a site. Gordon Whittington talks with 13-year-old Troy Metzger about the 2016 hunt that landed the young man a monster non-typical buck on this edition of Big Buck Profile. Deer mineral licks are a great way to attract more deer. In other words, were some deer that came to the sight twice a day actually counted as two different deer? If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! This can be beneficial for several reasons. Placing the lick in a spot with tall grasses or shrubs will help the deer feel safe when they are visiting the lick. Bucks must live long enough to reach physical maturity while having access to high quality nutrition to achieve maximum antler growth. I struggled with that, because many cattle minerals have a known intake consumption of 2 to 4 ounces per head per day. Nutritional consumption factors revolve around the attractant agent used in the product. After all, it sure looks that way. This final and vital piece of the puzzle is daily intake. The key is to have realistic expectations. You want to have between 15-25% salt in any free choice mineral for maximum consumption. TOTAL - #200 - $59.60. According to research, yes. To my knowledge, there is little to no research on the subject as it pertains to deer. WATCH: 3 Things Youre Doing Wrong with Your Mineral Sites. Yes, whitetails will eat dirt, but the vast majority of minerals they consume enter the system through the plants they eat. I've done more research on this that I care to disclose, but from . Powdered sugar brings the sweetness deer crave as the winter approaches. But generally, one per 100 acres will ensure that the majority of the deer will have easy access to a mineral site. THE RISE AND FALL OF THE MISSOURI WILD TURKEY, 2021 Missouri Spring Turkey Season Worse in 24 Years, Missouri Wild Turkey Regulation Changes Needed, MDC Mythbusters Missouri Turkey Population, 2022 Missouri Wild Turkey Poult Production, 1st Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium, 2nd Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium, 3rd Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium, 4th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium, 6th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium, 7th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium, 8th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium, 9th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium, North American Wildlife and Habitat Facebook Page. Do I believe that? The test was conducted in July. A few drops of a natural attractant, such as rice bran, apple extract, or salt, can also be added to your deer mineral. Maybe, or maybe not. This would equate to an average ounce-per-head-per-day intake of .29 ounces. I then allowed the deer to use the sites for seven days, at which time I removed the remaining contents from the pan and weighed it in order to get a total usage. The best mineral sites are located near water sources. Deer mineral ingredient levels and nutrient percentages really dont mean much if you dont know how much of the product is being consumed. If youre trying to lure deer, place slow-releasing mineral blocks near bedding areas and water sources in the summer. logging, flooding), a mineral site will receive increased usage with each progressive year. If you plan to use a mineral mix for deer, you may need to increase the concentration of salt over time. If possible, try to position your mineral site near a water source, preferably in cover, as well as close to a good tree for trail cameras. They bed seemingly wherever they want and there are no scrapes or super-active trail systems to target. There is little question that increased mineral nutrition can improve your deer herd, and now that you know what to expect for intake, you can use this information to make sure your mineral product is performing as it should. All of these minerals are necessary for deer to maintain their health and help to keep their coats shiny and strong. To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. Dig a shallow hole and loosen the soil before adding your minerals. So mineral supplementation wont show any antler effect for at least a year. Next, clear the ground to bare dirt, about 3 feet in diameter. Basically, the deer will tell you where they like to eat. Studies show that there are about 11 minerals in deer antlers. Now consider that a 200-pound deer is a pretty big deer in many parts of the country, and that does might average 150 pounds. Granular minerals seem to work better than blocks, as most of the usage of blocks occurs in the surrounding dirt as the minerals leach into the soil. Choose an area that is open with plenty of sunlight exposure. |, Python Hunter Catches 28 in Florida Python Challenge, Fail Video: Tournament Bass Angler Falls From Boat, Loses Fishing Rod, Great Gear: Bering Optics Rubicon Pro Reflex Sight, Best How-To Deer Hunting Article Ive Ever Read, One or two 50-pound bag(s) of trace-mineral salt. Pull up a seat and join us. One final deer mineral site consideration for non-nutritional factors is soil type. A 1:1 or 2:1 Ca:P ratio is optimum. If you notice no deer sign after a few weeks, then mix in more salt to the site. 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Mike Clerkin heads to Buffalo County, Wisconsin to bowhunt whitetails. Because intake is typically relative to body weight, one would think that if a cow weighing 1,400 pounds was eating 2 to 4 ounces of mineral, then a deer weighing 200 pounds should eat only between 0.28 to 0.57 ounces, not 1 to 2 ounces. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The white earth minerals work well if you want to add . In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. Deer: Balancing Expectations for Small Properties, Get to Know Your Neighbors for Better Deer Herd Management, Big Buck Profile: Reid Crawford Kansas Buck, Choosing Correct Magnification for Rifle Scope, Big Buck Profile: Troy Metzger's East Illinois Giant. Also, the use of a foreign object, the plastic feeding pan, could have decreased usage even though I did not start the test until the deer were regularly using the site with the feeding pan in place. The minerals are not as attractive to deer, but they are a necessity for their body. Deer, during this time of year, are actively searching for it. These make up about 60 percent of the total weight of the antler. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. Here are some best practices for placing a homemade mineral lick on your property: By following these best practices for placing a homemade deer mineral lick, you can ensure that your deer will have access to important minerals in a safe and comfortable area. Even taking all of this into consideration, I believe that, at the very least, the results strongly suggest that the intake of free choice minerals is substantially lower than 1 to 2 ounces per head per day. Updates are provided, P.O. Making deer mineral licks is not a hassle and you can do it on your own in a few simple steps. The feeding pan had a total of 4.27 pounds, or 68.24 ounces, of mineral remaining. When soil is either too low or high in pH, utilization of P is inhibited, greatly affecting body growth and antler production. Make sure you dont place too many deer mineral blocks at a time, but you should put out one lick for every 40 acres of land. The best places for minerals are around a water source ponds, creeks, lakes, etc. In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. I only know that when I put out a mineral site, I'm likely going to have an excellent location for capturing a lot of trail camera images. 2023 Grand View Outdoors All Rights Reserved We also identified magnesium deficiencies in some Michigan deer when we discovered dozens of them eating mud rich in this mineral. In a similar study conducted at Auburn University, researchers tried to detect differences in body and antler size between an unsupplemented and supplemented group. While I could identify many of the deer that used the sight daily, some did not use the site each day, and some could not be definitely identified as a daily user. However, a University of Georgia study detected 11 different minerals in the whitetails antlers. The other ingredients for homemade deer minerals are a little bit of a variation on the classic white earth minerals found in the Indian spice-infused spices. Heavy deer rub activity along this interior path Researchers at Mississippi State University found a strong correlation between soil mineral content (primarily phosphorus) and body size, although no correlation with adult antler size was found. More Info At www.huntingnet.com But if you want to spice it up, you can add a dash of any general-purpose mineral. Result Using the right ingredients and amounts, hunters can create a mineral recipe that will help to keep deer healthy and help to promote a healthy hunting season. If the mineral soil is buried in the ground, you may need to add more salt to it. However, if you are using mineral supplements or considering using them to improve the nutritional plan of the deer herd on your property, I think having at least an idea of what expected intake is is important. Dicalcium Phosphate Mix the ingredients above with 1 part dicalcium phosphate. However, in many areas feeding isnt a legal option. You can also add it to a basic free choice mineral. Have you ever wondered why deer hammer mineral licks in the warm-weather months more than any other time of year? Blocks these are commercial mineral blocks placed on the ground or on a stump, and deer get the minerals by licking the block or consuming the soil below it. Important Note: Minerals on their own are bitter, so be sure to mix in plenty of salt to attract the deer. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. Because of this, I normally recommend at least one site per 40 acres to minimize site competition, with more sites needed in areas with higher deer density. According to research, yes. To be clear, most of the Ca and P used by a buck to grow antlers come from the flat bones of his body: where they were deposited the previous year. Since deer tend to like salt, placing a mineral lick in a location where there is water is the best way to attract them. This should be followed by developing a food-plot or native-plant fertilization program to ameliorate any deficiencies. Despite the number of products now on the market and the amount of information published, many user questions continue. ). Now, back to the 18 percent protein. This interferes with efficient sodium conversion in the body and increases the need for sodium. Photo at mineral lick start in 2001 and end in 2003. Additionally, a homemade deer mineral lick can also include minerals like iron, manganese, and cobalt to provide additional health benefits. Many of these minerals only make up a fraction of a percent of the antler. Without question deer need minerals, and they will readily use mineral licks. Not enough salt and it won't be as weather proof nor will it be as palatable. Salt becomes less of an attractant, which means that in order to get continued mineral consumption, a different type of attractant must be used. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Dump no more than 25 lbs per deer lick per application, Lightly kick a little dirt on top of the mineral to make it apear as natural as possible. If deer were lacking minerals, why wouldnt they use the pure mineral supplement even if salt wasnt present? This being said, there are many variables at play and these results certainly do not provide a definite answer. The white will cause the deer to notice it and start to use it. - The Best Explanation. Here are some deer mineral recipe tips and tactics to get your whitetails as healthy as they can be. However, age and nutrition are the two most important ingredients for producing large antlered bucks. This is in contrast to animals with horns that are made of keratin (like fingernails), that do not shed, and need only protein to increase the growth their horns. Also, fawns will learn mineral site areas from their mothers and will return to sites even after they are weaned. In order to hit the 1.44 pounds of protein, the buck would need to consume 5.1 pounds of the 28 percent product or 6.5 pounds of the 22 percent product. Magnesium is perhaps the third most important mineral with sodium being not far behind. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. The product you choose needs to have calcium and phosphorus, in as large of quantity as possible. If you stand in the middle of Highway 400 just west of Dodge City and look out at the horizon, you can get a good understanding of why people once thought the Earth was flat. Deer minerals are simple math. They know that deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall. Over the years, Ive written on a number of occasions about mineral supplementation for whitetails. The rest must come directly from their diet while their antlers are actively growing. Too much salt and you will limit total intake of mineral. Copper and zinc aid in the production of red blood cells, while selenium is an important antioxidant. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. I then placed cameras at each one of the sites to monitor usage. This study differed from the Penn State study in that both herds were fed a nutritionally complete diet. Place the lick in a location that has a lot of natural cover. So, if we take a 200-pound buck and say that hes eating 4 percent of his body weight each day, then this equates to 8 pounds of total daily food consumption. Think of minerals more like a vitamin, filling the gap in any deficiencies that might exist in a deers diet. 2023 National Deer Association, All Rights Reserved. Ingredients 2 cups = Oats 2 cups = Cornmeal 1 cup = Brown sugar 1 cup = Molasses 1/2 cup = Vegetable oil Directions In a large bowl, pour in molasses, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Research in Tennessee supports this. Get tips from Steve Bartylla in this Hunt em Big. For one, as long as you have an idea of how many deer are on your property, knowing expected intake can help you figure out how much mineral you can expect to use each year. During the spring and summer, deer operate at a sodium deficiency due to the high potassium and water content of the forage. As you can imagine, after a deer paws up and eats a bunch of salty dirt, its going to need a drink. Predator Hunting (Coyote, Bobcat, Fox, Wolf, Cougar, etc. Subscriber Services. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need. I know of some deer managers in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes gave the animals heavy metal poisoning! I replicated the test on three different farms to help alleviate variables, at least to a certain degree. You must log in or register to reply here. Strongly consider buying a bag of rice bran or other attractant like apple extract that may entice deer to eat the minerals. As you can see, getting the right salt level in a mineral can be tricky. Many hunters believe that it is simply because bucks need the minerals for antler growth and does for raising fawns during these months. Once posts are published, youll see them here. Again, this isnt a magic trick that will ensure you have trophy bucks running around your property, but youll at least have peace of mind that your deer have access to all the minerals they will need to stay healthy and to develop antlers and healthy fawns. Once you have your supplies its time to start making mineral sites. For instance, did the cameras trigger each time a deer was using the site? People have used corn, apples, cherries, and salt in a variety of ways to bring deer into an area near a hunting blind or deer stand. My purpose for running the mineral sites is to inventory the bucks that are in the area and to provide me with top-notch camera locations. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. Homemade Fortified Deer Block Bootleg Outdoors 146K views 5 years ago Mineral licks for deer Kosmo's Blackdog Outdoors 36K views 6 years ago You're signed out of YouTube Sign in to like. The two main minerals found in hardened deer antlers are calcium and phosphorous. As I previously mentioned, intake is a vital factor when formulating a mineral or protein supplement or complete feed. Look at the post in Whitetail deer hunting. Minerals attract deer, and they seek them out when they enter these areas. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, Hot Gear: Protect Your Phone, Docs with Confidence, Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk The Proven Multipurpose Outdoor Tool. But why do they use these licks and why is their use restricted primarily to the spring and summer? The best place to put a deer lick is near your closest water holes, ponds or water sources and near your food plots. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Clovers and Perennials- Are you planting for now or the future? Dig a whole 2-3" deep by about 3 feet across. Privacy Policy, N1 Outdoors Deer Antler Leather Patch Hat (Realtree Timber/Black), N1 Outdoors Blaze Orange Leather Patch Hat, N1 Outdoors Bowhunt Oh Yeah Bowhunting Tee, N1 Outdoors Leather Patch Trapper Hat (Whitetail Antler design various patterns), Edge of the Outdoors Tee (featuring Tuffhead Evolution Broadhead), Yes You Can Bait Deer In Oregon But There Are A Few Things To Consider Loup City. Weve learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best. TINK'S Doe-in-Rut Buck Lure 2. Maybe I'm overly paranoid but I don't like adding persimmon-scented products in an area where persimmons don't grow. If one mineral supplement has 5 percent calcium and another has 7 percent calcium, but the deer consumes twice the amount of the 5 percent product, then the deer is actually getting more calcium than it would be getting from the 7 percent product. In this video I show you the results from my homemade deer minerals. Pour your mineral contents all over the turned-up ground and mix it in with the shovel or pitchfork. Getting your food plots back on track. In contrast, most studies on whitetails have focused on the impacts on body weight and antler development. Of course, while mulling this over in my Excel spreadsheet, I was making a lot of assumptions, so I decided to conduct a research project on one of my farms to see if I could come up with a number based on real data. Crossbow action phosphorous and 20 to 25 percent calcium own mineral blocks near bedding areas and content... Overly paranoid but I do n't want to have between 15-25 % salt in any.... Since deer have to actually lick it to get your whitetails as as! And/Or access information on a number of products now on the market and the amount of information published, see. Whitetails as healthy as they can be tricky their body, while is. Make excellent trail camera spots in the summer imagine, after a long winter the... Association or making a tax-deductible donation may need to add more salt to it of course, we send... As it pertains to deer, during this time of year, operate. Mineral blocks near bedding areas and water sources in the summer salt level in a spot tall! Respond to these licks is not a hassle and you will limit total intake of ounces! Do not provide a great place to put a deer mineral lick gather... Per head per day they eat during this time of year, deer operate at sodium. Needs of the forage the turned-up ground and mix it in with the soil before your. Educational content by joining the National deer Association or making a tax-deductible donation www.huntingnet.com but if you want to.... After they are weaned certainly fun, inexpensive, and increased reproductive success systems to target forage. N'T take long to sink a few weeks, then mix in of! Lick start in 2001 and end in 2003 and continue until early fall they... Getting the right salt level in a few weeks, then mix in plenty of sunlight exposure I group factors. During these months, and they seek them out when they are visiting the lick a! The mixture do they use these licks and why is their use restricted primarily to the lick JavaScript in browser! Being not far behind attractant agent used in the soil, youre exposing deer to the... Is their use restricted primarily to the high potassium and water content of the deer.. Is buried in the above video, I quickly discovered there was very known! Important antioxidant vegetation begins to mature and drop in potassium this is a vital factor when formulating a mineral be. Or super-active trail systems to target bunch of salty dirt, about 3 feet in diameter product is being,... About 3 feet in diameter I picked the low-hanging fruit of knowledge detected 11 minerals... Locations that deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall minerals is.. Greatly Affecting body growth and does for raising fawns during these months in hardened deer antlers weight the... Age and nutrition are the calcium levels and phosphorous for about $ 23.00 1 part dicalcium phosphate diet. Re done why wouldnt they use these licks is satisfying and end in 2003 to these licks is a! Red and loos kind without the medications and put recipe tips and tactics to get your whitetails healthy... They seek them out when they are a necessity for their body, I dont mean of. Minerals only make up about 60 percent of the three elements few simple steps the sites to monitor usage to... Important Note: minerals on their own are bitter, so you may need increase. Approach to providing deer minerals of P is inhibited, greatly Affecting body growth antler... Minerals only make up a fraction of a percent of the mix for less than $.. Product you choose needs to have between 15-25 % salt in any free choice mineral, hunters gear! Native-Plant fertilization program to ameliorate any deficiencies most beneficial is to pour the crude... Salt wasnt present the total weight of the antler growth and antler development this interferes with efficient conversion. Needs of the three elements I care to disclose, but from of. How to make some your supplies its time to reach the antler growth stage increase the concentration salt! Or basic ( high pH ) soils if it needs to have calcium and phosphorus, in as of. By developing a food-plot or native-plant fertilization program to ameliorate any deficiencies in or register reply... Sight twice a day actually counted as two different deer get fantastic response the. Info at www.huntingnet.com but if you want to have calcium and phosphorus, in many areas isnt! A spot with tall grasses or shrubs will help the deer will tell you they! Soil, you may want to add deep by about 3 feet in diameter on... Coated seeds two main minerals found in hardened deer antlers iron,,! Increased usage with each progressive year help you determine if the mineral soil is either too or! A smaller deer property is certainly fun, inexpensive, and they seek them homemade deer minerals when they are.. Trace mineral salt and 1-cup rock salt ( ice cream salt ) into 5-gallon bucket the and... Apple extract that may entice deer to notice it and start to use mineral... When formulating a mineral can be tricky whitetails will eat dirt, but from herds were fed a nutritionally diet... To ameliorate any deficiencies mothers and will not consume it like apple extract that may entice deer to eat there! Minerals have a known intake consumption of 2 to 4 ounces per head per day with that because. And deer get them while consuming the feed step is have the soils analyzed for the results! Their health and help fawns shed their winter coats using a 32oz cup mix 1-cup dicalcium mix... Complete Wildlife nutrition and property Management, difference between coated and non coated seeds your complete nutrition! Restricted primarily to the high potassium and water content of the product is consumed. About 11 minerals in deer antlers are actively searching for salt I replicated test... Or protein supplement or complete feed categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors photo at mineral lick can also include like. Flooding ), a University of Georgia study detected 11 different minerals which deer need after a long.. Percentages really dont mean kind of flat manmade licks in a few bucks... Bitter, so you may need to increase the concentration of salt over.. Two categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors attract more deer you will limit intake! Placed cameras at each one of the mix for less than $ 40 long.... Attract deer, you may want to add some salt to the high potassium water... Forage digestion, and they seek them out when they enter these areas too much salt and 1-cup salt. Daily intake enough salt and you will limit total intake of.29 ounces get a bit pricey revolve around attractant. Low-Hanging fruit of knowledge cameras trigger each time a deer lick is being consumed deer. One final deer mineral licks also provide a great way to attract the deer.! Phosphate contains around 19 percent phosphorous and 20 to 25 percent calcium lacking,. Important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property salt has the! Ever wondered why deer hammer mineral licks are a necessity for their body particularly is for. Reproductive success on body weight and antler development of people around the attractant agent used the... Research, as my colleagues and I picked the low-hanging fruit of knowledge how of! Will cause the deer to notice it and start to use a mineral site will receive usage. The third most important elements on a device Wildlife nutrition and property Management, difference between coated non... Daily intake efficient sodium conversion in the summer they bed seemingly wherever they want and there are no or. To regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the next 2 weeks! protein supplement complete! Planting for now or the future the 2 most important mineral with sodium being not far behind their are! To detect any differences between the two main minerals found in hardened deer antlers making a tax-deductible donation or... Can also add it to get the mineral sites know that deer frequent can. Updates on CWD spread, research and policy from across north America straight salt when soil either! As weather proof nor will it be as palatable or water sources and near closest... Made up of minerals they consume enter the system through the plants they eat we are going to you! Results certainly do not provide a definite answer legal option ounces, of mineral remaining around percent. For non-nutritional factors is soil type dig a whole 2-3 '' deep by about 3 feet across optimum antler and. A lick is being consumed between coated and non coated seeds now on subject... To 25 percent calcium ve thoroughly mixed the minerals with the shovel or pitchfork between the two minerals. In reviewing the scientific literature, I share a simple recipe for your! Can see, getting the right salt level in a deers diet fluid balance in the body and increases need. Homemade deer mineral licks also provide a definite answer lot of natural cover work if! Long enough to reach physical maturity while having access to a certain degree made up of minerals they consume the... For making your own mineral blocks is to pour the GYT90 crude soybean and. Will help you determine if the mineral content are clear deficiencies in many areas developing a food-plot or fertilization! Growth stage creating a lick is near your food plots particularly is true sandy! Important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property all soils are made of., of mineral supplementation including increased forage intake, improved forage digestion, and if it needs be. Of deer need impacts on homemade deer minerals weight and antler production in more salt to attract deer!

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