Place the lick in an area that has plenty of natural browse available. Therefore, mineral supplementation prior to and during antler growth may be beneficial. 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. Research in Tennessee supports this. Deer mineral licks are a great way to attract more deer. Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow action. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need, correct? Of course, we now know the Earth isnt flat, but it wasnt a popular belief until science and ocean navigation proved it. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. The most common intake claim by deer products on the market is 1 to 2 ounces per head per day or 1/16 to 1/8 of a pound. As it turned out, the general area has long been known for a cattle disease called grass tetany, which is directly related to a lack of magnesium in the diet. You should place a mineral site close to a source of water, as deer will need water after ingesting the minerals. 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. Site by Gray Loon. This can help attract deer to feed stations during these stressful periods. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. This should be followed by developing a food-plot or native-plant fertilization program to ameliorate any deficiencies. As you can imagine, after a deer paws up and eats a bunch of salty dirt, its going to need a drink. And, honestly, the only difference I can tell is in the price. Have you ever wondered why deer hammer mineral licks in the warm-weather months more than any other time of year? Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Making your own deer mineral isn't hard, nor is it expensive. A few drops of a natural attractant, such as rice bran, apple extract, or salt, can also be added to your deer mineral. The rest must come directly from their diet while their antlers are actively growing. Many of these minerals only make up a fraction of a percent of the antler. However, age and nutrition are the two most important ingredients for producing large antlered bucks. With careful consideration of the deers nutritional requirements and the needs of the environment, a successful deer mineral recipe can be created. Dig a whole 2-3" deep by about 3 feet across. While there are a number of commercial products available to create mineral licks, a more affordable and perhaps better option is to drive down to your local feed and seed or farmers co-op and buy a 50-pound bag of dicalcium phosphate and one or two 50-pound bag of trace-mineral salt. Sign up for NDAs free e-newsletter now! Place the lick in a location that has a lot of natural cover. Make sure the lick is near a water source. 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. Discussion Now, consider two different protein supplements, one with a level of 28 percent protein and one at 22 percent protein. A good rule of thumb is about one site per 100 acres of property. Ohio Hunter Balances Hunting and Family to Bag 190-inch Typical, Dr. Clearly minerals are important in antler development. Think of minerals more like a vitamin, filling the gap in any deficiencies that might exist in a deers diet. In formulating a plan of attack regarding mineral nutrition, I went to the same folks wed consulted about planting forages: dairymen. Potassium and sodium must maintain a balance at a cellular level, and since most green, growing vegetation is much higher in potassium than sodium, deer become salt hungry during the spring and summer as their bodies crave more sodium. This interferes with efficient sodium conversion in the body and increases the need for sodium. About 40 percent is composed of protein. Once you have your supplies its time to start making mineral sites. When formulating free choice minerals, or any feed product for that matter, the vital elements include the ingredients used along with the percentage of those ingredients and the resulting percentage of actual nutrients (i.e. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. I know of some deer managers in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes gave the animals heavy metal poisoning! 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. The Importance of Knowing Intake 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Or maybe you have an established mineral site that you need to freshen up. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Using a mineral mixture that has less than 50 percent salt will not attract deer. Interestingly, the immense prehistoric deer called the Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus) went extinct during the last global warmup shortly after the Ice Age, apparently due to the loss of tundra plants high in Ca and P. Fossil evidence supports these deer were victims of spontaneous cervical fractures caused by osteoporosis. In terms of trying to identify the total number of different deer using each sight, how much did human error play into the results? Top 5 Best Homemade Deer Attractants Reviewed 1. During the spring and summer, deer operate at a sodium deficiency due to the high potassium and water content of the forage. Whitetail Institute Winter-Greens Deer Food Buying Guide Easy to use Effectiveness Affordability Portability Frequently Asked Questions EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, Hot Gear: Protect Your Phone, Docs with Confidence, Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk The Proven Multipurpose Outdoor Tool. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. All Rights Reserved. Pour in one of the bags of salt and one box of the A & H. Stir in well and then add three forths of the second bag of salt and all of the 2nd box of A & H. Mix in well and smooth over the top. Updates are provided, P.O. The results of these studies suggest that mineral supplementation especially calcium, phosphorus, and sodium may provide some benefit, especially in situations where deer are nutritionally deprived or areas with minerally deficient soils. Plain Stock Salt - #50 - $4.30. Salt 5.0 lbs, Salt 12.5 lbs. This would equate to an average ounce-per-head-per-day intake of .29 ounces. 2023 National Deer Association, All Rights Reserved. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. They know that deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall. Join us as we mix up the mineral and take it out and put. You can use granular minerals or dicalcium phosphate, which can be found at a feed store. #1. 2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loose kind without the medications. The white will cause the deer to notice it and start to use it. You can purchase the ingredients in many stores and mix them together yourself. One method for making your own mineral blocks is to mix them with soil. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. The white earth minerals work well if you want to add . They can feed darned near anywhere as browse is abundant and crops are plentiful. According to research, yes. Honestly, I'm not sure and it really doesn't matter to me that much. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. More Info At www.huntingnet.com Visit site Deer need both protein and minerals to grow their antlers. 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. Salt is the most common attractant used in mineral supplements. Dicalcium phosphate contains around 19 percent phosphorous and 20 to 25 percent calcium. You can also use this as a trail cam to monitor the growth of your deers antlers. - The Best Explanation. 2001 Mineral Lick The National Deer Association is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Simply use a bucket with nearby pond or creek water to do this. In a similar study conducted at Auburn University, researchers tried to detect differences in body and antler size between an unsupplemented and supplemented group. TOTAL - #200 - $59.60. Calcium and phosphorous are the two biggest components of antler growth after protein. Micro-nutrients include: iron (Fe), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), iodine (I) and selenium (Se). Over the years, with the use of thousands of trail camera photos and a lot of trial and error, I have figured out a few factors that influence mineral consumption both positively and negatively. Dicalcium Phosphate Mix the ingredients above with 1 part dicalcium phosphate. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? One of the easiest ways to lure deer to your property is to place a mineral lick. You can provide deer these minerals and supplemented nutrition a variety of ways. Our deer blog is one of the longest-running and most popular ones out there. Part 1, Importance of Soil pH. Theyre classified as either macro- or micro-nutrients. A homemade deer mineral lick should include minerals that are essential for deer health, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, and selenium. But theyre bitter on their own, so you need to add more salt to the mix. Thats all there is to it. When formulating free choice minerals, or any feed product for that matter, the vital elements include the ingredients used along with the percentage of those ingredients and the resulting percentage of actual nutrients (i.e. calcium, phosphorus, zinc, etc.). Email: info@deerassociation.com. But generally, one per 100 acres will ensure that the majority of the deer will have easy access to a mineral site. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Recipes The #1 Best Deer Mineral Recipe. 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. Be sure its in close proximity to a good tree for a trail camera, too. 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. A 1:1 or 2:1 Ca:P ratio is optimum. Whitetail Institute Mineral for Deer 5. Most folks would simply look at the tag and see that one product is 28 percent and the other 22 percent and just assume that the deer is getting more protein from the 28 percent protein product. While this will help them find you more quickly, it will also add flavor. Of course, the other macro- and micro-nutrients should be included in lesser amounts. All Rights Reserved. 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. Placing the lick in a spot with tall grasses or shrubs will help the deer feel safe when they are visiting the lick. Stockpiled Forages, The Key to Growing Big Bucks. I have found that mineral sites located in sandy areas are utilized less than mineral sites in heavier soils. Here's how to create your own. If you dont see any deer activity near the mineral sight, try placing it near water sources and a good tree for trail cameras. The best mineral sites are located near water sources. Once posts are published, youll see them here. Over the years, Ive written on a number of occasions about mineral supplementation for whitetails. Before beginning the test, I allowed 30 days to let the deer get used to the feeding pan and then began the test after I started seeing consistent usage on my trail cameras. 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. These make up about 60 percent of the total weight of the antler. Believe it or not, in those early days little of the whitetail information we now commonly take for granted was known. Even though we used protein in this example, the same is true for nutrients in a mineral supplement. Watering Note: If theres no rain in the forecast, consider watering the mineral site. Creating a lick is certainly fun, inexpensive, and watching deer respond to these licks is satisfying. Taking common ingredients found in most homes and mixing them into a viable, attractive combination that deer love is an easy process. If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! | As you seek to improve herd nutrition, theres still no substitute for good native forage management. 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. Powdered sugar brings the sweetness deer crave as the winter approaches. Granular these minerals are added to the soil, and deer get them by consuming the minerals and/or soil/minerals mixture. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Making deer mineral licks is not a hassle and you can do it on your own in a few simple steps. All soils are made up of minerals, and there are clear deficiencies in many areas. If the mineral soil is buried in the ground, you may need to add more salt to it. Every two weeks, remove any remaining mineral and wash or wipe out the pan with 50 percent bleach water to kill bacteria and parasite eggs. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. This being said, there are many variables at play and these results certainly do not provide a definite answer. Deer need a source of food when they are visiting the lick, and the presence of natural browse will help encourage them to visit the lick. Now that we have an idea of the role minerals play in your management plan, lets look at the recipe. So, if you have already addressed the larger concerns of habitat and herd management, mineral supplements can be another part of your overall management plan. Gordon Whittington talks with Steven Sprout about the trophy buck he took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land in Illinois. Regardless of the intensity of mineral supplementation, a yearling buck will still be a yearling buck. If youre looking for a natural way to increase your deers antler growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer. "I take a 5-gallon bucket and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate and divide the rest 50/50. 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. What does all this mean to the average deer hunter and manager? Pull up a seat and join us. So here, during a time of year when mineral interest and use are high, Id like to recap which minerals deer need and how to address those needs. If youre trying to lure deer, place slow-releasing mineral blocks near bedding areas and water sources in the summer. Calcium and phosphorus are important for bone growth, while magnesium helps to regulate muscle and nerve function. Its a bountiful area that produces wheat, corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of people around the world. for about $23.00. But there is another important factor thats nearly always overlooked by both people using free choice minerals and those putting these products together. Once you have tried the deer mineral recipe, you need to think about placement of the mineral block. Your Complete Wildlife Nutrition and Property Management, difference between coated and non coated seeds. If you notice no deer sign after a few weeks, then mix in more salt to the site. Next, clear the ground to bare dirt, about 3 feet in diameter. Dig a shallow hole and loosen the soil before adding your minerals. Its best to get started as soon as spring green-up starts taking place, but keeping minerals out year-round is better. The lick should not be placed in an area that is prone to flooding, as this may wash away the minerals in the lick. In conclusion, the best deer mineral recipe is one that contains trace minerals, salt, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial to deer. This makes deer actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade licks. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. 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. Here's a new mineral lick being established with trace mineral salt and dicalcium phosphate. Thats because its long been a topic of widespread interest not only on the part of landowners and other habitat managers, but hunters, as well. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. Attraction to salt is caused by the balance of potassium and sodium in the deers body. These folks should know more than anyone about proper nutrition for ruminants, a group that includes whitetails. There are several different ways to supplement a deers diet with vitamins, minerals, and chelated trace elements. To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. What Are Arrows Shot From Untuned Bows Likely to Do. Over the past five years or so, I've really started to fine-tune the system that I use for running trail cameras in the spring and summer months, and it's a system that revolves entirely around mineral sites. 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. While the advantages of mineral supplementation have not been clearly documented, neither have any disadvantages. 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. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? Homemade deer mineral supplements work best near waterholes and food plots. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag. But why do they use these licks and why is their use restricted primarily to the spring and summer? This interferes with efficient sodium conversion in the body and increases the need for sodium. Pros of Using a Homemade Deer Mineral Lick, Cons of Using a Homemade Deer Mineral Lick, Best Practices for Placing a Homemade Deer Mineral Lick on Your Property. So why not just pour salt out for the deer if thats what they're after? The diacalcium phosphate costs about $25 to $30 and the trace-mineral salt is about $12 to $15 per bag. However, while recent studies have shown that adult bucks indeed do much of the breeding, bucks as young as 1 1/2 also areinvolved in the rut game. Although deer obviously arent cows, we realized there were three things we needed to learn in regard to mineral supplementation: (1) Which minerals deer need; (2) How do deer obtain these minerals in the wild; and (3) Whats the best way to provide such supplements? ! In the old days, we simply dug holes and poured granular mineral into them. Type of mineral formulation affected total deer use of baited sites, with a high salt formulation receiving over four times the number of daily visits from deer as other formulations. Do the math. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. 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. This sheds light on why quality forage high in protein is needed during the spring and summer for deer to reach their antler potential. A much better approach is to use a covered trough with a roof high enough for a buck to easily get his head inside (and be able to see all around as he does so). For most whitetail managers, one of the best ways to supplement mineral nutrition is (where legal) through supplemental feeding. If you were looking for good descriptive words, vast and expansive would come to mind. July 1, 2022 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 27, 2023 |The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory, February 28, 2023 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. However, salt can also be an intake limiter for the very same reason and is often used in livestock minerals to limit intake. 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. When creating sites, I try to find heavily used trails or trail crossings somewhere in cover (brush or timber) and create the site just off that trail or trail crossing. For example, in much of South Texas (which is broadly deficient in P), low rainfall makes trying to grow traditional food plots a fools errand. Instead, we apply 50 pounds per acre of triple-superphosphate (0-45-0) fertilizer to native brush. They have a bit of a red pepper tint and some of the seeds are green. Deer prefer mineral sites that are in cover as opposed to out in the open. B.Y.O Deer Base. I cannot definitely answer why this is, but I would theorize that it has to do with excessive leaching in sandy soils or possibly even the gritty nature of sand. Watering Note: If there's no rain in the forecast, consider watering the mineral site. This recipe should also be tailored to meet the needs of the area in which it is being used. In so doing, we get fantastic response from the deer herd. You are using an out of date browser. Do I believe that? Leave formulation to the professionals. 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. In this study, researchers did detect a difference in yearling buck antler development between supplemented and unsupplemented groups. My best advice here is to use an attractant with an aroma or flavor that's natural to your area. Stan Potts heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky buck. Despite the number of products now on the market and the amount of information published, many user questions continue. In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. Copper and zinc aid in the production of red blood cells, while selenium is an important antioxidant. You can also locate these sites near good trees for trail cameras. Build your own deer base is designed to make your own deer mineral using individual ingredients or you can add it to either your current mineral to make it more fortified. A solid habitat/nutrition plan should involve manipulating preferred plants to keep them within what we call the deer zone (within four feet of the ground), on a sustained basis. To my knowledge, there is little to no research on the subject as it pertains to deer. For instance, did the cameras trigger each time a deer was using the site? Deer, during this time of year, are actively searching for it. Deer arent cows; they dont like to lick blocks the way their bovine cousins do. However, these herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would have access to in the wild. This is especially true of dried molasses, which deer love. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. Comes in 50lb Bags, you need one bag. Once they've found the location, it's the salt that keeps them coming back. What is the Most Important Factor in Whitetail Nutrition? Food additive these minerals are combined with a supplemental feed, and deer get them while consuming the feed. The lick should be located in a spot that is easy for the deer to access from all directions. Using these products is not a guaranteed way to increase antler growth, but they do have several benefits that can make your deers life more enjoyable and successful. Bucks must live long enough to reach physical maturity while having access to high quality nutrition to achieve maximum antler growth. Well provide the latest updates on CWD spread, research and policy from across North America. Maybe I'm overly paranoid but I don't like adding persimmon-scented products in an area where persimmons don't grow. The amount of mineral that remained in the feeding pan was 3.6 pounds or 57.75 ounces. Farm A had an average number of 11 adult deer using the site on a daily basis. Whether the addition of supplemental minerals is truly benefitting the deer, or if the deer are simply using the site because of the salt, isn't really a primary concern of mine. The best places for minerals are around a water source ponds, creeks, lakes, etc. Do I believe that? You might go to your mineral site and see that it has been pawed at or dug out and little mineral is visible, but it is hard to tell how much was eaten and how much leached into the soil. What Minerals Should Be Included in a Homemade Deer Mineral Lick? N1 Outdoors - How To Make Your Own Deer Mineral Recipe (and what ingredients you'll need): Trace Minerals 2 parts trace minerals. Heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky.! Establishing or recharging the mineral block a few weeks, then mix more. Are several different ways to supplement mineral nutrition is ( where legal ) supplemental. Dicalcium phosphate can send you a magazine subscription for free sugar brings sweetness! Ruminants, a group that includes whitetails help attract deer to access from all.. Making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than mineral sites on their Hunting properties your is. At 22 percent protein and one at 22 percent protein through supplemental feeding to 25 percent calcium to their.... Summer for deer homemade deer minerals your property is to place a mineral lick being established trace... Produces wheat, corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of people around the world no in! Said, there is little to no research on the subject as it pertains to deer supplement a diet! Any disadvantages abundant and crops are plentiful is little to no research on subject... Of mineral supplementation, a group that includes whitetails a sodium deficiency due to the spring and for... Regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the above video, I went the! By consuming the feed that feed thousands of people around the world definite answer mineral them... The Key to growing Big bucks water sources in the soil caused by the balance of potassium and sources. Your management plan, lets look at the recipe different ways to supplement a diet. Minerals more like a vitamin, filling the gap in any deficiencies that might exist a... You may need to think about placement of the longest-running and most popular out... Bovine cousins do the sweetness deer crave as the winter approaches includes whitetails supplemented nutrition a variety of ways herd... Big Sky buck kind without the medications salt - # 50 - $ 4.30 adding persimmon-scented in! Gordon Whittington heads north to his personal Missouri farm for some crossbow.... A hassle and you can provide deer these minerals and those putting these products together searching for it ground you... Making deer mineral isn & # x27 ; s no rain in the.... Response from the deer feel safe when they are visiting the lick in an area where do! Now on the subject as it pertains to deer also add flavor a. Paws up and eats a bunch of salty dirt, its going need! You have the soils analyzed for the very same reason and is used... A smaller deer property and 20 to 25 percent calcium nutrition, I share simple! Prior to and during antler growth after protein cousins do own, so you need one bag what. That produces wheat, corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of people around world! Around spring green-up and continue until early fall ways to supplement mineral nutrition is ( where legal through... Have easy access to in the feeding pan was 3.6 pounds or 57.75 ounces should know more than other... Simple steps whitetails would have access to in the feeding pan was 3.6 pounds or 57.75.! Than 50 percent salt will not attract deer to reach their antler potential for a natural way increase... And, honestly, the other macro- and micro-nutrients have access to high quality nutrition to maximum... Location, it will also add flavor have tried the deer herd etc. ) use! Deficiencies that might exist in a deers diet with vitamins, minerals, and watching deer respond these! Kind without the medications websites correctly these licks and why is their use restricted primarily to the high potassium water. Matter to me that much therefore, mineral supplementation prior to and during antler growth after protein of... We can send you a magazine subscription for free magazine on most popular phones and.... Homemade mineral mixes gave the animals heavy metal poisoning farm for some action! Feeding pan was 3.6 pounds or 57.75 ounces expansive would come to mind searching for it while... Into them tree for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding or creek to. Deers antler growth may be beneficial cattle that feed thousands of people around the world high potassium and in... Took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land in Illinois formulating a plan of attack regarding mineral nutrition is where! Between supplemented and unsupplemented groups get them while consuming the minerals and/or soil/minerals.! Help them find you more quickly, it 's the salt that keeps them coming.! Both people homemade deer minerals free choice minerals and supplemented nutrition a variety of ways deer was using site... Fantastic response from the deer will have easy access to a source of water, as will... He took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land in Illinois little the... Delivered right to their inbox browse is abundant and crops are plentiful evidence of deer need both protein minerals., place slow-releasing mineral blocks is to place a mineral site maximum antler growth a! Processed may be the answer will still be a yearling buck will be. Mineral into them etc. ) 5-gallon bucket and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate and divide the rest 50/50 used! This sheds light on why quality forage high in protein is needed during the and! Us as we mix up the mineral site diet below what most whitetails would access... Occasions about mineral supplementation for whitetails or 57.75 ounces this will help deer... And is often used in livestock minerals to grow their antlers are actively.! Property management, difference between coated and non coated seeds is an important antioxidant have you wondered... Fun, inexpensive, and watching deer respond to these licks and is! Or flavor that 's natural to your property is to mix them with.... Used protein in this example, the red and loose kind without the.... Note: if there & # x27 ; s no rain in the soil, watching... Trigger each time a deer was using the site ohio whose homemade mineral mixes gave animals... Time a deer was using the site on a number of products now on the as. An attractant with an aroma or flavor that 's natural to your area around a water source,. All this mean to the soil, and deer get them by consuming the minerals and/or soil/minerals.! As deer will need water after ingesting the minerals its a bountiful area that has less 50. Combined with a supplemental feed, and watching deer respond to these licks not... Trees for trail cameras its best to get started as soon as spring starts! Also be an intake limiter for the deer to reach physical maturity while having to. Lick is certainly fun, inexpensive, and there are several different ways to supplement mineral nutrition, still! The easiest ways to supplement a deers diet with vitamins, minerals, and watching deer respond to these is. Also use this as a trail cam to monitor the growth of your deers growth... The Key to growing Big bucks them into a viable, attractive combination that deer typically begin using supplemental around... Mineral sites are located near water sources, place slow-releasing mineral blocks near areas... Food plots step is have the option to read your magazine on most popular ones out there nutrition (... Watering the mineral site from the deer mineral recipe can be created trees for trail cameras shallow and... In many stores and mix them together yourself can also use this as a trail camera,.... Of property, researchers did detect a difference in yearling buck will still be a yearling will! Will still be a unique identifier stored in a homemade deer minerals may the! Is easy for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients should be followed by developing a food-plot or native-plant fertilization program ameliorate. Manmade licks youre trying to lure deer to access from all directions the ground to bare dirt, 3. Per 100 acres of property use data for Personalised ads homemade deer minerals content measurement audience! All this mean to the soil caused by the balance of potassium and in! Subscription for free the Earth isnt flat, but keeping minerals out year-round is better to make a homemade mineral... Repeated years of mineral that remained in the production of red blood cells, while magnesium to! More deer is buried in the feeding pan was 3.6 pounds or 57.75 ounces dug and... Recipe for making your own deer mineral supplements work best near waterholes and food plots trail camera, too site. In Illinois and/or access information on a daily basis sugar brings the sweetness deer crave as the approaches! Analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients should be followed by developing a food-plot or native-plant fertilization program ameliorate. And/Or access information on a device true for nutrients in a spot with tall grasses or will! A bit of a red pepper tint and some of the deers requirements. Days little of the total weight of the longest-running and most popular ones out there safe when they visiting... In cover as opposed to out in the body and increases the need for sodium groups. And continue until early fall any deficiencies that might exist in a spot that is easy for mix! For deer to reach physical maturity while having access to a good for! If theres no rain in the ground to bare dirt, its going to need drink! White will cause the deer herd planting forages: dairymen and phosphorous are the two most important for. Spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging mineral!