Mixing Salts Mix the trace minerals above with 1 part mixing salts Dried Molasses Mix the above ingredients with 1 part dried molasses. Most professionals relied on information generated primarily for small ruminants, including sheep and goats. More Info At www.huntingnet.com 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). Basically, the deer will tell you where they like to eat. And make sure you locate your mineral site near a water source, because deer will need to drink after theyve eaten minerals. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton talk about being realistic when it comes to managing a smaller deer property in this edition of Dr. They bed seemingly wherever they want and there are no scrapes or super-active trail systems to target. Dig a whole 2-3" deep by about 3 feet across. Deer warts are hairless black or gray tumors caused by a type, CWD Roundup is the National Deer Associations (NDA) bi-monthly update on all things chronic wasting disease (CWD). Over a four year period the researchers were unable to detect any differences between the two deer herds. You can use granular minerals or dicalcium phosphate, which can be found at a feed store. 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. Pull up a seat and join us. During gestation and lactation does have high requirements for calcium and magnesium. Getting your food plots back on track. But why do they use these licks and why is their use restricted primarily to the spring and summer? Maybe, or maybe not. 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. Using a mineral mixture that has less than 50 percent salt will not attract deer. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. Part 1, Importance of Soil pH. Bogart, GA 30622 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. Once they've found the location, it's the salt that keeps them coming back. I replicated the test on three different farms to help alleviate variables, at least to a certain degree. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. But this does not guarantee that deer will use the site. Although many people assume that any mineral will grow trophy bucks, most deer are not that fortunate. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. Weve learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best. Get tips from Steve Bartylla in this Hunt em Big. This can be beneficial for several reasons. A 1:1 or 2:1 Ca:P ratio is optimum. The placement of a homemade deer mineral lick on your property is an important factor in encouraging deer to visit and use the lick. The amount of mineral soil used for antler growth will depend on how many deer will visit the site. Deer prefer mineral sites that are in cover as opposed to out in the open. There are many other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery. While it sounds simple to concoct your own mineral mix, thats really not a good idea. All Rights Reserved. The rest must come directly from their diet while their antlers are actively growing. This is where we cover all things deer hunting, from experts and whitetail trivia to news, gear, and hardcore hunting advice. Factors Affecting Mineral Intake A balanced pelleted ration can deliver all the mineral nutrition needed by the herd. However, soil limitations often dictate using supplements to fill in the blanks created by scarcity of critical minerals in the native environment. You can also add it to a basic free choice mineral. If youre looking for a natural way to increase your deers antler growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer. Dig a whole 2-3" deep by about 3 feet across. They know that deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall. 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. I've mentioned this before, but here is the recipe I use with prices. Antlers are comprised of roughly 20 percent calcium and 10 percent phosphorus. 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. But generally, one per 100 acres will ensure that the majority of the deer will have easy access to a mineral site. 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. in Food Plots, A different approach, Research is learning what is wrong about a forage. 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. 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. Dicalcium Phosphate Mix the ingredients above with 1 part dicalcium phosphate. Rice bran is around $10 for a 40-pound bag. Placing the lick in a spot with tall grasses or shrubs will help the deer feel safe when they are visiting the lick. Increased aggression by certain deer (usually adult does) that guard the site will decrease the number of deer utilizing that particular location. Deer mineral licks are a great way to attract more deer. This final and vital piece of the puzzle is daily intake. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications. Salt is the most common attractant used in mineral supplements. Therefore, mineral supplementation prior to and during antler growth may be beneficial. This can help attract deer to feed stations during these stressful periods. The most reliable information on deer hunting, habitat management and conservation will land in your inbox weekly. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? 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. Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. Tink's Estrous Gel Stream 3. The best way to provide supplemental minerals is by using a granular mineral that contains less than 30 percent salt and has Ca and P at the rate of 12 percent each. Almost all soils more than 2550 miles from a seacoast are low in sodium. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. Here's a recipe that's simple and easy to attract deer to your stand or camera. 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. One of the easiest ways to lure deer to your property is to place a mineral lick. I began the project by placing black plastic feeding pans at my oldest and most frequented deer mineral sites. To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. 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. Magnesium is perhaps the third most important mineral with sodium being not far behind. These folks should know more than anyone about proper nutrition for ruminants, a group that includes whitetails. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Once you have tried the deer mineral recipe, you need to think about placement of the mineral block. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. Next, choose a central location near cover and dig a shallow, 6-inch deep hole a few feet in diameter. 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores. Do I believe that? Stan Potts heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky buck. Weve put together one of the best deer mineral recipe articles for you to try at home. This study differed from the Penn State study in that both herds were fed a nutritionally complete diet. However, age and nutrition are the two most important ingredients for producing large antlered bucks. 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. However, these herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would have access to in the wild. Research in Tennessee supports this. 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. JavaScript is disabled. This recipe should also be tailored to meet the needs of the area in which it is being used. Here is a recipe one of the MO conservation agents passed on to us hunters. In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. 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. According to research, yes. 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. Free choice minerals are probably one of the most difficult products where you can get a good sense of intake. Top 5 Best Homemade Deer Attractants Reviewed 1. The amount of mineral that remained in the feeding pan was 3.6 pounds or 57.75 ounces. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, Hot Gear: Protect Your Phone, Docs with Confidence, Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk The Proven Multipurpose Outdoor Tool. To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. If the buck consumes only 3 pounds of the 28 percent protein product but eats 5 pounds of the 22 percent product, he is actually getting more protein from the 22 percent product than the 28 percent product. But theyre bitter on their own, so you need to add more salt to the mix. 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. It won't take long to sink a few hundred bucks into the ground. Your Complete Wildlife Nutrition and Property Management, difference between coated and non coated seeds. Without question deer need minerals, and they will readily use mineral licks. For example, research has shown that a buck needs about an 18 percent protein diet during the antler-growing cycle to maximize antler growth. ). Larry Redmon and Richard Reed (the latter now deceased) were local cattlemen and avid deer hunters, and they had a question Id never heard. 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. 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. Spread evenly the remainder of the bag of salt. This would equate to a .21 ounce-per-head-per-day intake. 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. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. TINK'S Doe-in-Rut Buck Lure 2. Join us as we mix up the mineral and take it out and put. Here are some deer mineral recipe tips and tactics to get your whitetails as healthy as they can be. 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. A homemade deer mineral lick should include minerals that are essential for deer health, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, and selenium. 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