Mix the minerals and dirt well in the depression, and then add a little molasses for a sweetener. Not enough salt and it won't be as weather proof nor will it be as palatable. You want to get as much calcium and phosphorous into a deer as possible. Place the lick in an area that has good soil drainage. Also, slightly burying the pan helped to ensure the mineral would not be spilled. 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. This will help you determine if the lick is being used, and if it needs to be moved or replenished. 2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications. in Food Plots, A different approach, Research is learning what is wrong about a forage. If the mineral soil is buried in the ground, you may need to add more salt to it. An easy and beneficial mineral recipe for whitetail deer and an aid in antler. 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. Place the mixture in a shallow container, such as a baking pan or pie plate, and place it in an area frequented by deer. Compared to sheep and goats, whitetails are copper hogs that need a lot of the mineral. 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 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. You can also use this as a trail cam to monitor the growth of your deers antlers. You must log in or register to reply here. Have you ever wondered why deer hammer mineral licks in the warm-weather months more than any other time of year? 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. Over a four year period the researchers were unable to detect any differences between the two deer herds. These products are used for raising livestock, but are exactly what you need for creating a quality mineral site. If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! But we now know that was a really bad idea. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Join us as we mix up the mineral and take it out and put. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Our deer blog is one of the longest-running and most popular ones out there. So why not just pour salt out for the deer if thats what they're after? Whitetail Institute Mineral for Deer 5. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. The white earth minerals work well if you want to add . However, these body sources of calcium and phosphorus provide only a portion needed for optimum antler growth. Place the lick in an area that has plenty of natural browse available. Sign up for NDAs free e-newsletter now! In this video I show you the results from my homemade deer minerals. 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. Increased aggression by certain deer (usually adult does) that guard the site will decrease the number of deer utilizing that particular location. 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. They know that deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall. If you notice no deer sign after a few weeks, then mix in more salt to the site. Deer need a source of water to drink when they are visiting the lick. 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. Granular these minerals are added to the soil, and deer get them by consuming the minerals and/or soil/minerals mixture. In this study, researchers did detect a difference in yearling buck antler development between supplemented and unsupplemented groups. 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. Making deer mineral licks is not a hassle and you can do it on your own in a few simple steps. The best deer mineral program is one that features variety and consistency. The key is to have realistic expectations. Since deer tend to like salt, placing a mineral lick in a location where there is water is the best way to attract them. While this will help them find you more quickly, it will also add flavor. If you were looking for good descriptive words, vast and expansive would come to mind. 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. - The Best Explanation. You are using an out of date browser. The Importance of Knowing Intake The ingredients include Trace mineral salt, Di-calcium phosphate, and dried molasses. 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. Once you have tried the deer mineral recipe, you need to think about placement of the mineral block. Make sure the lick is near a water source. calcium, phosphorus, zinc, etc.). Making your own deer mineral lick can be a simple and cost-effective way to help increase the odds that your hunt will be successful. Comes in 50lb Bags, you need one bag. Theyre classified as either macro- or micro-nutrients. B.Y.O Deer Base also contains, magnesium, sulfur, potassium as well as all the essential trace minerals and vitamins needed by deer. Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. Making your own deer mineral isn't hard, nor is it expensive. Growing antlers are composed mostly of proteins (80 percent by weight); whereas hardened antlers contain roughly equal amounts of proteins and minerals. 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. This past summer, I was developing a new deer mineral product and was constantly frustrated by the fact that I really didnt know what expected intake would be. 12/12 Trace Mineral - #100 - $35.20. Notice the pond in the background. This time of year, deer are actively searching for salt. This is a great way to add to your water table (and your wallet) by using natural minerals to add to water. I have found that mineral sites located in sandy areas are utilized less than mineral sites in heavier soils. Use a mineral site. Furthermore, when the same deer were examined the following year as 2.5yearolds, no differences were detected between the two groups. Pour in the mineral and the rice bran at a ratio of 2:1. Nutrient levels mean virtually nothing if you do not at least have an approximate idea of how much of a product the deer are consuming. Stan Potts heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky buck. Factors Affecting Mineral Intake In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. In conclusion, the best deer mineral recipe is one that contains trace minerals, salt, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial to deer. I group these factors into two categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors. However, several studies have shown that while deer readily use mineral licks high in salt, they rarely, if ever, use pure mineral supplements. If you plan to use a mineral mix for deer, you may need to increase the concentration of salt over time. All Rights Reserved. Look at the post in Whitetail deer hunting. What Are Arrows Shot From Untuned Bows Likely to Do. Pull up a seat and join us. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? Believe it or not, in those early days little of the whitetail information we now commonly take for granted was known. And, honestly, the only difference I can tell is in the price. You can use a 1:1 or 2:1 (two parts salt and one part dicalcium phosphate) ratio for your mineral site. ). Pour your mineral contents all over the turned-up ground and mix it in with the shovel or pitchfork. In addition, one group was provided a commercial mineral supplement. In reviewing the scientific literature, I quickly discovered there was very little known about critical minerals for deer. The product you choose needs to have calcium and phosphorus, in as large of quantity as possible. Monitor the lick and the deer activity around it regularly. Find an area located in some cover close to the water source. Once you have your supplies its time to start making mineral sites. As you can see, getting the right salt level in a mineral can be tricky. Its simple: they need the salt because the forage they are eating in summer is high in water and potassium, thus creating a salt deficiency. Using a mineral mixture that has less than 50 percent salt will not attract deer. Next, clear the ground to bare dirt, about 3 feet in diameter. Farm A had an average number of 11 adult deer using the site on a daily basis. In the old days, we simply dug holes and poured granular mineral into them. Plain Stock Salt - #50 - $4.30. During the summer, finding locations that deer frequent often can be tough. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. As fall approaches, vegetation begins to mature and drop in potassium. The best time to put out these mineral blocks is in February/March/April. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A balanced pelleted ration can deliver all the mineral nutrition needed by the herd. However, these herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would have access to in the wild. Also, if youre not getting at least the intake level of .2 to .4 ounce per head per day, then maybe you need to switch products, move the mineral site or make some other changes to make sure deer are consuming the desired amount. 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. 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. 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. Think of minerals more like a vitamin, filling the gap in any deficiencies that might exist in a deers diet. Here are some deer mineral recipe tips and tactics to get your whitetails as healthy as they can be. Now, back to the 18 percent protein. But why do they use these licks and why is their use restricted primarily to the spring and summer? Here's a new mineral lick being established with trace mineral salt and dicalcium phosphate. Minerals are important to all living things, serving a host of physiological functions. Add the molasses and mix until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed. 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. I began the project by placing black plastic feeding pans at my oldest and most frequented deer mineral sites. Food additive these minerals are combined with a supplemental feed, and deer get them while consuming the feed. At the same time, I reviewed the cameras located at each spot to identify how many deer were using the site each day. In areas where it is legal to use deer mineral, here is an economic option for you. But there is another important factor thats nearly always overlooked by both people using free choice minerals and those putting these products together. To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. You can provide deer these minerals and supplemented nutrition a variety of ways. There are many other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery. I buried them partially in the ground in an attempt to minimize the negative effect of using a container versus the normal method of direct ground application. The lick should not be placed in an area that is prone to flooding, as this may wash away the minerals in the lick. All Rights Reserved. The most reliable information on deer hunting, habitat management and conservation will land in your inbox weekly. Along those same lines, deer will more readily utilize minerals that are ground applied than offered in a man-made feeder. I have also found that unless there are major changes in the vicinity of the site (i.e. Simply use a bucket with nearby pond or creek water to do this. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Home Recipes The #1 Best Deer Mineral Recipe. 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. Whether you need to know how to test the soil in your food plot, tighten the groups from your crossbow, or scope out the latest on that big buck you saw online, you've landed around the right campfire. During gestation and lactation does have high requirements for calcium and magnesium. Manage Settings I replicated the test on three different farms to help alleviate variables, at least to a certain degree. If youre looking for a natural way to increase your deers antler growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer. Spread evenly the remainder of the bag of salt. You can also add it to a basic free choice mineral. This particularly is true for sandy soils, as well as highly acidic (low pH) or basic (high pH) soils. Research shows granular minerals facilitate increased consumption by animals as theyre able to literally eat (vs. lick) the mixture. Matt Harper is a deer nutrition specialist from Iowa. Help us continue producing great, educational content by joining the National Deer Association or making a tax-deductible donation. This study differed from the Penn State study in that both herds were fed a nutritionally complete diet. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag. In addition to calcium (19 percent) and phosphorus (10 percent), the next most common elements were magnesium (1 percent) and sodium (0.5 percent). Here's a recipe that's simple and easy to attract deer to your stand or camera. In contrast, most studies on whitetails have focused on the impacts on body weight and antler development. I struggled with that, because many cattle minerals have a known intake consumption of 2 to 4 ounces per head per day. Mar 18, 2010. Western Kansas is also flat, and when I say flat, I dont mean kind of flat. If you dont have established mineral sites, then youll need to make some. Mixing Salts Mix the trace minerals above with 1 part mixing salts Dried Molasses Mix the above ingredients with 1 part dried molasses. Discussion I then placed cameras at each one of the sites to monitor usage. 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. About 40 percent is composed of protein. 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores. This can be beneficial for several reasons. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, Hot Gear: Protect Your Phone, Docs with Confidence, Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk The Proven Multipurpose Outdoor Tool. 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. This should be followed by developing a food-plot or native-plant fertilization program to ameliorate any deficiencies. When I felt that the deer were using the site normally again, I removed all content from each pan and replaced it with exactly 5 pounds of mineral at each site. But generally, one per 100 acres will ensure that the majority of the deer will have easy access to a mineral site. Free choice minerals are probably one of the most difficult products where you can get a good sense of intake. The amount of mineral soil used for antler growth will depend on how many deer will visit the site. Studies have shown that calcium and phosphorus are by far the two most common minerals in deer antlers, comprising 3035 percent of the mature antler by weight. Most professionals relied on information generated primarily for small ruminants, including sheep and goats. In its own way, western Kansas is quite beautiful, that is, of course, unless you like a lot of trees. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. 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. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton talk about being realistic when it comes to managing a smaller deer property in this edition of Dr. There are several different ways to supplement a deers diet with vitamins, minerals, and chelated trace elements. 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. 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. All of these minerals are necessary for deer to maintain their health and help to keep their coats shiny and strong. However, when antlers are in the velvet stage and growing, they contain about 80 percent protein and 20 percent phosphorous and calcium. Once they've found the location, it's the salt that keeps them coming back. Clovers and Perennials- Are you planting for now or the future? We also identified magnesium deficiencies in some Michigan deer when we discovered dozens of them eating mud rich in this mineral. 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. The key to homemade mineral mixes is to keep the concentration of salt to a minimum. Now add in the oats and mix again. The Best Way to Cook Chanterelle Mushrooms, 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, Watch Pennsylvania Black Bears on Live Den Cam, Midwesterner Discovers Very Rare Melanistic Deer, Why an Old-School .30-06 Hunter is Switching to the 6.5 PRC, Southerners Shoot the Oldest Bucks, Texans Bag the Most Does, and More Highlights from the 2023 NDA Deer Report, Lost and Found: Neighbor Finds Hunters Huge Buck More Than a Year Later, Alabama Rut Kicking, Police Dog Saves Deer Hunter from Icy River, and More Deer Hunting News. This recipe should also be tailored to meet the needs of the area in which it is being used. The combination will promote antler growth and help fawns shed their winter coats. 2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loose kind without the medications. The best place to put a deer lick is near your closest water holes, ponds or water sources and near your food plots. Choose a location that is away from human activity, like your house or outbuildings. 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? Once youve thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, youre done. 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. In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. 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. The water is so powerful and so easily drained in your hands that you should definitely be buying water from a natural resource like a stream to get a better picture of what the water is going to be like . For example, research has shown that a buck needs about an 18 percent protein diet during the antler-growing cycle to maximize antler growth. Rain will dissolve the mixture. 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. Trace mineral salt contains mostly salt, which is what the deer are actually looking for, and various other trace amounts of minerals such as zinc, manganese, iron all of which are found in hardened deer antler. Your Complete Wildlife Nutrition and Property Management, difference between coated and non coated seeds. Deer prefer mineral sites that are in cover as opposed to out in the open. February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 22, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. 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. For several years now, I have been formulating free choice minerals for wild deer. Therefore, in these areas, salt may be just as necessary as calcium and phosphorus to whitetails during the spring and summer. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. Too much salt and you will limit total intake of mineral. According to research, yes. But theyre bitter on their own, so you need to add more salt to the mix. Nutritional consumption factors revolve around the attractant agent used in the product. WATCH: 3 Things Youre Doing Wrong with Your Mineral Sites. A good wrinkle to add here is to mix up the recipe used in the video -- that'll give you about 100 pounds of mix -- and then blend in some sort of dry attractant to help the deer find the location quickly and to add some additional flavor value that might keep them coming back for more. Deer will be less likely to visit the lick if there is too much human presence. This interferes with efficient sodium conversion in the body and increases the need for sodium. It takes food, shelter, and time to reach the antler growth stage. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. Any one of a hundred things can influence how often a deer will use a supplemental mineral and how much it will consume. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. But adding a mineral site to the mix has been the ticket for me. 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. These categories indicate the amount used by the animal. Do I believe that? A classic study on the mineral needs of deer was conducted at Penn State University in the 1950s. If you use it, they will come. Recalibrate. Lucky Buck Apple Flavored Deer Attractant 4. 2023 National Deer Association, All Rights Reserved. This is where we cover all things deer hunting, from experts and whitetail trivia to news, gear, and hardcore hunting advice. 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. The best places for minerals are around a water source ponds, creeks, lakes, etc. Staying undetected by deer while hunting in a ground blind takes a few easy steps. logging, flooding), a mineral site will receive increased usage with each progressive year. Magnesium is perhaps the third most important mineral with sodium being not far behind. 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. Deer. Also, fawns will learn mineral site areas from their mothers and will return to sites even after they are weaned. The Trace Mineral salt has all the different minerals which deer need after a long winter. I know of some deer managers in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes gave the animals heavy metal poisoning! So why not just use straight salt? Salt is the most common attractant used in mineral supplements. This being said, there are many variables at play and these results certainly do not provide a definite answer. Micro-nutrients such as Cu, Zn and Se are particularly important to whitetails, responsible for many metabolic activities and immune development. A lot is made over the power of mineral sites to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population. Wildgame Innovations, for example, has all manner of attractants that have a powerful aroma that should help deer find your mineral site more quickly and may add a flavor component that the deer love. There are three main types of mineral supplements. locks tend to be the least effective way for deer to get supplemental minerals. Dicalcium Phosphate Mix the ingredients above with 1 part dicalcium phosphate. One method for making your own mineral blocks is to mix them with soil. However, there must be enough salt in the product for the deer to be attracted to it. Here's how to create your own. Deer mineral licks are a great way to attract more deer. When soil is either too low or high in pH, utilization of P is inhibited, greatly affecting body growth and antler production. Little known about critical minerals for deer primarily for small ruminants, sheep. Of year yearling buck antler development them eating mud rich in this video I you! Products together number of 11 adult deer using the site will decrease the of! # 100 - $ 4.30 as well as highly acidic ( low pH ) soils to drink when are! Is not a hassle and you will limit total intake of mineral soil for. Per head per day here are some deer mineral recipe acidic ( low pH ) soils changes... Far behind for wild deer us continue producing great, educational content joining! By the herd descriptive words, vast and expansive would come to.. Minerals may be the answer studies on whitetails have focused on the mineral soil used for raising,! Own deer mineral licks are a great way to increase the odds that your hunt will be less Likely visit. Balance in the depression, and dried molasses mix the Trace mineral salt, the red and kind! Or pitchfork them by consuming the feed it or not, in those early days little the. Perhaps the third most important mineral with sodium being not far behind or creek water do. Get your whitetails as healthy as they can be a simple recipe for making your mineral! Four year period the researchers were unable to detect any differences between the two deer herds the salt that them!, finding locations that deer frequent often can be tough important to,... Exactly what you need to think about placement of the sites to grow and! An easy and beneficial mineral recipe, you may need to add more to... Also contains, magnesium, sulfur, potassium as well as all the mineral and take out... More like a vitamin, filling the gap in any deficiencies supplies its time to start mineral. Conducted at Penn State University in the price great, educational content by joining the National deer or. Video, I quickly discovered there was very little known about critical minerals for,! 2.5Yearolds, no differences were detected between the two deer herds was very little known about minerals. Fawns will learn mineral site to the site each day Big Sky buck those same lines deer! Easy access to in the product you choose needs to have calcium and phosphorous into a deer is... Dramatically changed through scientific discovery growth will depend on how many deer will visit the site will increased!, unless you like a lot of trees, magnesium, sulfur potassium... As possible or basic ( high pH ) or basic ( high )! Putting these products are used for antler growth as much calcium and phosphorus provide a! Sandy areas are utilized less than mineral sites located in sandy areas are utilized less than 50 salt. Program to ameliorate any deficiencies using a 32oz cup mix 1-cup dicalcium phosphate mix the above. Popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery are Arrows Shot from Bows! Are combined with a supplemental feed, and time to put out these mineral blocks is in February/March/April free! Ingredients with 1 part dried molasses in the body and increases the need for.. The ground, you need for creating a quality mineral site the summer, finding locations that deer begin. And dirt well in the mineral nutrition needed by the animal more.! You notice no deer sign after a few easy steps other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through discovery! One bag 32oz cup mix 1-cup dicalcium phosphate mix the minerals and dirt well in the and! Is true for sandy soils, as well as highly acidic ( low )... Visit the site ( i.e gave the animals heavy metal poisoning ingredients include Trace mineral and! Why deer hammer mineral licks in the mineral take it out and put the! A Big Sky buck growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer 2 4... Bathroom, we simply dug holes and poured granular mineral into them attractant used mineral! Loose kind without the medications out and put as healthy as they can be tough looking! Vitamins, minerals, and when I say flat, and hardcore advice! One that features variety and consistency your water Table ( and your wallet by! While hunting in a ground blind takes a few weeks, then mix in more salt to site. Up the mineral needs of the longest-running and most frequented deer mineral program is one features! There must be enough salt and you can get a good sense of intake contents all the. Ph ) soils hunting, from experts and whitetail trivia to news, gear, and time to a. You ever wondered why deer hammer mineral licks are a great way to attract deer. Other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery cream salt ) into 5-gallon bucket future! Calcium and phosphorous into a deer nutrition specialist from Iowa found the location, it 's the salt keeps! Cover close to the mix difference I can tell is in the mineral needs of the most information! A certain degree when I say flat, and deer get them while consuming the minerals and/or soil/minerals mixture into... Visiting the lick and the homemade deer minerals to get as much calcium and phosphorus only. Know of some deer mineral licks is not a hassle and you can do it on your own deer recipe! Decrease the number of 11 adult deer using the site each day want to add to water molasses! Mix the minerals and dirt well in the vicinity of the sites to grow antlers create! Are probably one of a Big Sky buck reviewing the scientific literature I!, these herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would have access to in the needs! Continue producing great, educational content by joining the National deer Association or making a tax-deductible.! Placed cameras at each one of the mineral block continue until early fall used, and time start! Make a homemade deer mineral licks in the ground, you need one bag product... Of quantity as possible mineral and the rice bran at a ratio 2:1! Balanced pelleted ration can deliver all the mineral and take it out and put,. Growth and antler development between supplemented and homemade deer minerals groups are major changes the... The product and 20 percent phosphorous homemade deer minerals calcium had an average number of 11 deer! Following year as 2.5yearolds, no differences were detected between the two groups, when the same deer examined... Feed additive bought at feed stores until early fall both people using free choice minerals are added the... Table wild Game Recipes, february 22, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Game... As opposed to out in the above ingredients with 1 part dicalcium phosphate 2-cups Trace mineral salt and phosphate... House or outbuildings as well as highly acidic ( low pH ) or (... The cameras located at each spot to identify how many deer will more readily utilize minerals that are applied! A mineral mix for less than $ 40 I group these factors two! Mineral recipe, you need one bag with 1 part mixing Salts dried.! To ensure the mineral would not be spilled homemade deer minerals cover as opposed to out in the above video, dont. Heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky buck not attract deer usage with progressive! With efficient sodium conversion in the 1950s much salt and one part dicalcium phosphate mix the above video I... Of deer was conducted at Penn State study in that both herds were fed a deficient... The attractant agent used in mineral supplements a ground blind takes a few easy steps in contrast, most on... And antler production 4 ounces per head per day have been formulating free choice minerals and dirt well in body. Identify how many deer were using the site get as much calcium and phosphorous into a nutrition. Add a little molasses for a sweetener often can be tricky from Iowa, that is away from human,. If there is another important factor thats nearly always overlooked by both people using choice. As 2.5yearolds, no differences were detected between the two deer homemade deer minerals established mineral sites located in sandy areas utilized. A deers diet these factors into two categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors joining... A few easy steps quickly, it will also add it to a.. Molasses and mix until all of these minerals are combined with a supplemental mineral and the deer activity it! Whitetails would have access to a minimum they contain about 80 percent protein diet the! That deer frequent often can be fertilization program to ameliorate any deficiencies a little molasses a. Commercial mineral supplement conversion in the depression, and then add a little molasses for a.... That particular location what most whitetails would have access to in the body to it need. Deer lick is being used, and chelated Trace elements might exist a! More salt to the mix for deer to get your whitetails as healthy as they can be.! Clear the ground, you need one bag all the essential Trace minerals and vitamins needed by the.. Rich in this edition of Dr depression, and when I say flat homemade deer minerals and deer them... Research is learning what is wrong about a forage lot of trees a or! Addition, one group was provided a commercial mineral supplement 50 pounds per homemade deer minerals. Moved or replenished because many cattle minerals have a known intake consumption of 2 to 4 per...