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. A lot is made over the power of mineral sites to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population. Research shows granular minerals facilitate increased consumption by animals as they're able to literally eat (vs. lick) the mixture. One of the easiest ways to lure deer to your property is to place a mineral lick. 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 the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. You can also use this as a trail cam to monitor the growth of your deers antlers. 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? ). Minerals are also important for does. 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. 2001 Mineral Lick A 1:1 or 2:1 Ca:P ratio is optimum. The combination will promote antler growth and help fawns shed their winter coats. What is the Most Important Factor in Whitetail Nutrition? If the mineral soil is buried in the ground, you may need to add more salt to it. In other words, were some deer that came to the sight twice a day actually counted as two different deer? 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. While the advantages of mineral supplementation have not been clearly documented, neither have any disadvantages. Taking common ingredients found in most homes and mixing them into a viable, attractive combination that deer love is an easy process. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need. in Food Plots, A different approach, Research is learning what is wrong about a forage. You can use granular minerals or dicalcium phosphate, which can be found at a feed store. If you use it, they will come. Recalibrate. In reviewing the scientific literature, I quickly discovered there was very little known about critical minerals for deer. 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. The diacalcium phosphate costs about $25 to $30 and the trace-mineral salt is about $12 to $15 per bag. A few drops of a natural attractant, such as rice bran, apple extract, or salt, can also be added to your deer mineral. Next, choose a central location near cover and dig a shallow, 6-inch deep hole a few feet in diameter. July 1, 2022 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 27, 2023 |The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory, February 28, 2023 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. Salt 5.0 lbs, Salt 12.5 lbs. 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. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag. Factors Affecting Mineral Intake Join us as we mix up the mineral and take it out and put. Weve put together one of the best deer mineral recipe articles for you to try at home. Therefore, in these areas, salt may be just as necessary as calcium and phosphorus to whitetails during the spring and summer. Deer are very finicky when it comes to eating, especially when it is supplemental products offered to wild deer. One final deer mineral site consideration for non-nutritional factors is soil type. These are the most potent and effective of the three elements. 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. The best deer mineral program is one that features variety and consistency. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. You want to get as much calcium and phosphorous into a deer as possible. Over a four year period the researchers were unable to detect any differences between the two deer herds. I've mentioned this before, but here is the recipe I use with prices. 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. Then use a shovel or pitchfork to turn up the ground. 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. They have a bit of a red pepper tint and some of the seeds are green. 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 also identified magnesium deficiencies in some Michigan deer when we discovered dozens of them eating mud rich in this mineral. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, Hot Gear: Protect Your Phone, Docs with Confidence, Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk The Proven Multipurpose Outdoor Tool. Im talking smashed with a giant skillet flat. Obvious dietary differences dictated that this information might only be elementary when it came to whitetails. Spread evenly the remainder of the bag of salt. - The Best Explanation. Making deer mineral licks is not a hassle and you can do it on your own in a few simple steps. If you plan to use a mineral mix for deer, you may need to increase the concentration of salt over time. Whitetail Institute Winter-Greens Deer Food Buying Guide Easy to use Effectiveness Affordability Portability Frequently Asked Questions Stockpiled Forages, The Key to Growing Big Bucks. 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. This can help attract deer to feed stations during these stressful periods. The ingredients include Trace mineral salt, Di-calcium phosphate, and dried molasses. Of course, we now know the Earth isnt flat, but it wasnt a popular belief until science and ocean navigation proved it. According to research, yes. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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 . 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. locks tend to be the least effective way for deer to get supplemental minerals. Those actually were wonderful days to do research, as my colleagues and I picked the low-hanging fruit of knowledge. B.Y.O Deer Base also contains, magnesium, sulfur, potassium as well as all the essential trace minerals and vitamins needed by deer. And make sure you locate your mineral site near a water source, because deer will need to drink after theyve eaten minerals. Salt becomes less of an attractant, which means that in order to get continued mineral consumption, a different type of attractant must be used. What Minerals Should Be Included in a Homemade Deer Mineral Lick? Replace the lick periodically to ensure that the deer are receiving the minerals they need. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. Compared to sheep and goats, whitetails are copper hogs that need a lot of the mineral. But adding a mineral site to the mix has been the ticket for me. If deer were lacking minerals, why wouldnt they use the pure mineral supplement even if salt wasnt present? A good Deer Mineral Recipe can help lead you to success during hunting season by helping the deer to congregate to a common area. Originally came off the QDMA website, but I can't find it know. Interestingly enough, Larry later earned a doctoral degree in Range Management from Texas A&M University, and to this day he remains a recognized authority on range management and animal nutrition. Subscriber Services. Additionally, a homemade deer mineral lick can also include minerals like iron, manganese, and cobalt to provide additional health benefits. Mineral licks arent going to magically grow trophy racks on a bucks head, but they are a piece of the management puzzle. Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. We routinely give our cattle minerals, Larry said, and we wondered if it would be possible to make a mineral for deer?. This interferes with efficient sodium conversion in the body and increases the need for sodium. Clovers and Perennials- Are you planting for now or the future? Although this winter has been warmer than average for much of the country, many, Deer warts are one of the most easily visible diseases of whitetails, and every year deer hunters ask us about this health problem. Honestly, I'm not sure and it really doesn't matter to me that much. To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. I group these factors into two categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors. 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. Place the lick in an area that has plenty of natural browse available. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? 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. With careful consideration of the deers nutritional requirements and the needs of the environment, a successful deer mineral recipe can be created. Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. 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 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. Homemade deer mineral licks can provide tasty nutrients to the deer that will make them come back looking for more. Deer, during this time of year, are actively searching for it. 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. 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 are hoofed creatures, but that doesn't mean that any mineral that works for a cattle ranch or horses will do the same for whitetails. Gordon Whittington talks with Steven Sprout about the trophy buck he took back in 1998 while bowhunting public land in Illinois. In contrast, most studies on whitetails have focused on the impacts on body weight and antler development. Weve learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best. Minerals attract deer, and they seek them out when they enter these areas. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Your Complete Wildlife Nutrition and Property Management, difference between coated and non coated seeds. Despite the number of products now on the market and the amount of information published, many user questions continue. However, a University of Georgia study detected 11 different minerals in the whitetails antlers. What does all this mean to the average deer hunter and manager? Mineral licks also provide a great place to survey deer with game cameras. At the same time, I reviewed the cameras located at each spot to identify how many deer were using the site each day. Studies show that there are about 11 minerals in deer antlers. 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. Bogart, GA 30622 Powdered sugar brings the sweetness deer crave as the winter approaches. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. If you dont have established mineral sites, then youll need to make some. Deer mineral licks are a great way to attract more deer. However, age and nutrition are the two most important ingredients for producing large antlered bucks. This makes deer actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade licks. 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. 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. 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. WATCH: 3 Things Youre Doing Wrong with Your Mineral Sites. Now that we have an idea of the role minerals play in your management plan, lets look at the recipe. In the old days, we simply dug holes and poured granular mineral into them. 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. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag. 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. 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. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. Simply use a bucket with nearby pond or creek water to do this. Manage Settings calcium, phosphorus, zinc, etc.). Experiment and see what works best for you. Mixing Salts Mix the trace minerals above with 1 part mixing salts Dried Molasses Mix the above ingredients with 1 part dried molasses. Growing antlers are composed mostly of proteins (80 percent by weight); whereas hardened antlers contain roughly equal amounts of proteins and minerals. Dig a shallow hole and loosen the soil before adding your minerals. But running mineral sites can get a bit pricey. These folks should know more than anyone about proper nutrition for ruminants, a group that includes whitetails. B.Y.O Deer Base. 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. These categories indicate the amount used by the animal. If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! A classic study on the mineral needs of deer was conducted at Penn State University in the 1950s. Inside the trough, place a metal or plastic pan to hold the mineral. 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. Phone: 1-800-209-DEER (3337) If youre looking for a natural way to increase your deers antler growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer. Salt is the most common attractant used in mineral supplements. In todays video we are going to show you guys how to make your own deer mineral and save some money. Find an area located in some cover close to the water source. 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. WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE Printable version Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. Dig a whole 2-3" deep by about 3 feet across. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. This is especially true of dried molasses, which deer love. The form it is in (block versus granular), location of the mineral site, soil type, salt content, competition, aggression of other deer, how long the site has been established and a host of other factors all affect how much a mineral site will be used. Deer minerals are simple math. Discussion 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. During gestation and lactation does have high requirements for calcium and magnesium. Farm A had an average number of 11 adult deer using the site on a daily basis. Many hunters believe that it is simply because bucks need the minerals for antler growth and does for raising fawns during these months. There also is 5 flavors that are natural to deer. Common area that will make them come back looking for more to add more salt to it as..., are actively searching for it about proper Nutrition for ruminants, a deer! 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Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding pure mineral supplement even if salt wasnt present, lets look the... Market and the needs of deer need this can help lead you to success during hunting season by helping deer... Deer with game cameras, Research is learning what is wrong about a.. For salt of your deers antlers dozens of them eating mud rich in this mineral your deers..