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. 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. During the spring and summer, deer operate at a sodium deficiency due to the high potassium and water content of the forage. Antlers are comprised of roughly 20 percent calcium and 10 percent phosphorus. One final deer mineral site consideration for non-nutritional factors is soil type. Here are some deer mineral recipe tips and tactics to get your whitetails as healthy as they can be. I have also found that unless there are major changes in the vicinity of the site (i.e. Making your own deer mineral isn't hard, nor is it expensive. A lot is made over the power of mineral sites to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population. Also, the use of a foreign object, the plastic feeding pan, could have decreased usage even though I did not start the test until the deer were regularly using the site with the feeding pan in place. The test was conducted in July. Allow the deer to lick the mineral lick for about two weeks. The best time to put out these mineral blocks is in February/March/April. Blocks these are commercial mineral blocks placed on the ground or on a stump, and deer get the minerals by licking the block or consuming the soil below it. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need, correct? I've done more research on this that I care to disclose, but from . More Info At www.huntingnet.com Visit site This study differed from the Penn State study in that both herds were fed a nutritionally complete diet. Thats all there is to it. Want to get a bunch of trail camera photos during the times of year when it's typically difficult to do so? Even though we used protein in this example, the same is true for nutrients in a mineral supplement. There are commercial and homemade granular mixes available. Dicalcium Phosphate Mix the ingredients above with 1 part dicalcium phosphate. Now that we have an idea of the role minerals play in your management plan, lets look at the recipe. You can provide deer these minerals and supplemented nutrition a variety of ways. Attraction to salt is caused by the balance of potassium and sodium in the deers body. They can feed darned near anywhere as browse is abundant and crops are plentiful. The 2 most important elements on a tag are the calcium levels and phosphorous levels. Crappy Weather/ Days off just not lining up for Coyotes. Its that time of year again for heat, humidity, bugs, snakes and mineral licks. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. Theyre classified as either macro- or micro-nutrients. The most reliable information on deer hunting, habitat management and conservation will land in your inbox weekly. Photo at mineral lick start in 2001 and end in 2003. Deer. These categories indicate the amount used by the animal. In terms of trying to identify the total number of different deer using each sight, how much did human error play into the results? I then placed cameras at each one of the sites to monitor usage. I've used all manner of commercial mineral products over the years, and I've also epxerimented with my own blends. In formulating a plan of attack regarding mineral nutrition, I went to the same folks wed consulted about planting forages: dairymen. 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. Mineral rocks are often called a deer mineral lick, since deer have to actually lick it to get the mineral content. 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. 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. So a product that is very high in salt will likely have less total consumption than a product lower in salt. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. calcium, phosphorus, zinc, etc.). These make up about 60 percent of the total weight of the antler. If you plan to use a mineral mix for deer, you may need to increase the concentration of salt over time. With careful consideration of the deers nutritional requirements and the needs of the environment, a successful deer mineral recipe can be created. In its own way, western Kansas is quite beautiful, that is, of course, unless you like a lot of trees. There are many other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery. In reviewing the scientific literature, I quickly discovered there was very little known about critical minerals for deer. Add the molasses and mix until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed. In addition, one group was provided a commercial mineral supplement. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag. Many hunters will find an old rotted stump near trails and use that for their man-made lick. While it sounds simple to concoct your own mineral mix, thats really not a good idea. 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. Next, choose a central location near cover and dig a shallow, 6-inch deep hole a few feet in diameter. This would equate to an average ounce-per-head-per-day intake of .29 ounces. If youre trying to lure deer, place slow-releasing mineral blocks near bedding areas and water sources in the summer. Also, slightly burying the pan helped to ensure the mineral would not be spilled. This makes deer actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade licks. Weve put together one of the best deer mineral recipe articles for you to try at home. 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. 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? Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. Manage Settings - The Best Explanation. This can help attract deer to feed stations during these stressful periods. Dicalcium Phosphate - #50 - $20.10. As fall approaches, vegetation begins to mature and drop in potassium. This is where we cover all things deer hunting, from experts and whitetail trivia to news, gear, and hardcore hunting advice. If you were looking for good descriptive words, vast and expansive would come to mind. 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. Deer need both protein and minerals to grow their antlers. Minerals attract deer, and they seek them out when they enter these areas. for about $23.00. We've learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best. Rain will dissolve the mixture. Many home deer mineral lick recipes use a 2:1 ratio of dicalcium phosphate to salt. Not enough salt and it won't be as weather proof nor will it be as palatable. Free choice minerals are probably one of the most difficult products where you can get a good sense of intake. Increased aggression by certain deer (usually adult does) that guard the site will decrease the number of deer utilizing that particular location. Therefore, I took the total number of deer that used the site over a seven-day period and divided it by seven days to reach an approximate number of deer using the site each day. Yes, whitetails will eat dirt, but the vast majority of minerals they consume enter the system through the plants they eat. In todays video we are going to show you guys how to make your own deer mineral and save some money. Its a bountiful area that produces wheat, corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of people around the world. What is the Most Important Factor in Whitetail Nutrition? In fact, theres significant scientific evidence to suggest Cu deficiencies are linked to spontaneous occurrences of brain diseases such as mad cow and CWD. All Rights Reserved. Staying undetected by deer while hunting in a ground blind takes a few easy steps. And, honestly, the only difference I can tell is in the price. Pour your mineral contents all over the turned-up ground and mix it in with the shovel or pitchfork. A lot is made over the power of mineral sites to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population. Honestly, I'm not sure and it really doesn't matter to me that much. 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. By delivering mineral in this way, youre exposing deer to greater risk of parasites and diseases. 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. The amount of mineral soil used for antler growth will depend on how many deer will visit the site. 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. locks tend to be the least effective way for deer to get supplemental minerals. If you use it, they will come. Recalibrate. The ingredients include Trace mineral salt, Di-calcium phosphate, and dried molasses. Although many people assume that any mineral will grow trophy bucks, most deer are not that fortunate. 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. Join us as we mix up the mineral and take it out and put. Using the right ingredients and amounts, hunters can create a mineral recipe that will help to keep deer healthy and help to promote a healthy hunting season. 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. Once you have your supplies its time to start making mineral sites. This is especially true of dried molasses, which deer love. Spread evenly the remainder of the bag of salt. So mineral supplementation wont show any antler effect for at least a year. 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. Part 1, Importance of Soil pH. 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. As you can imagine, after a deer paws up and eats a bunch of salty dirt, its going to need a drink. Top 5 Best Homemade Deer Attractants Reviewed 1. Watering Note: If theres no rain in the forecast, consider watering the mineral site. 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. In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. Furthermore, when the same deer were examined the following year as 2.5yearolds, no differences were detected between the two groups. Then use a shovel or pitchfork to turn up the ground. Anderson, SC, 2023 N1 Outdoors. If a buck consumes 8 pounds of total food per day, then in order to hit an 18 percent protein level in his diet, he would need to consume 1.44 pounds of protein. It won't take long to sink a few hundred bucks into the ground. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. Maybe I'm overly paranoid but I don't like adding persimmon-scented products in an area where persimmons don't grow. 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores. That means their expected consumption should be 0.21 to 0.42 ounces per head, per day. Replace the lick periodically to ensure that the deer are receiving the minerals they need. Just be sure to dig up some of the existing dirt and mix the trace mineral salt and dicalcium phosphate into the soil. As I previously mentioned, intake is a vital factor when formulating a mineral or protein supplement or complete feed. However, salt can also be an intake limiter for the very same reason and is often used in livestock minerals to limit intake. 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. 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. Research has shown that after a site is used, it will often become a part of the feeding and movement pattern. Research shows granular minerals facilitate increased consumption by animals as they're able to literally eat (vs. lick) the mixture. After all, it sure looks that way. This mineral will be for sale in the next 2 weeks!! This can be beneficial for several reasons. 2023 Grand View Outdoors All Rights Reserved Dig a shallow hole and loosen the soil before adding your minerals. 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. To begin with the non-nutritional category, location is critical. Therefore, mineral supplementation prior to and during antler growth may be beneficial. However, the formula I used for this mineral is a fairly standard formula used in many deer mineral products. Deer prefer mineral sites that are in cover as opposed to out in the open. Along those same lines, deer will more readily utilize minerals that are ground applied than offered in a man-made feeder. Find an area located in some cover close to the water source. 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. Look for the highest amounts of calcium and phosphorus on the label. Lesser amounts of other minerals were found including potassium, barium, iron, aluminum, zinc, strontium and manganese. 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. Deer will be less likely to visit the lick if there is too much human presence. Updates are provided, P.O. Salt alone doesnt contain all the minerals bucks need for antler growth, nor does it provide what's essential for does, fawn development and milk production. 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. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. But this does not guarantee that deer will use the site. Nutritional consumption factors revolve around the attractant agent used in the product. Salt becomes less of an attractant, which means that in order to get continued mineral consumption, a different type of attractant must be used. These two ingredients are bitter, so you may want to add some salt to the lick. The placement of a homemade deer mineral lick on your property is an important factor in encouraging deer to visit and use the lick. 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. Once youve thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, youre done. Do the math. 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. This will help you determine if the lick is being used, and if it needs to be moved or replenished. But there is another important factor thats nearly always overlooked by both people using free choice minerals and those putting these products together. During the summer, finding locations that deer frequent often can be tough. 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. The lick should not be placed in an area that is prone to flooding, as this may wash away the minerals in the lick. Dig a whole 2-3" deep by about 3 feet across. Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. Whitetail Institute Winter-Greens Deer Food Buying Guide Easy to use Effectiveness Affordability Portability Frequently Asked Questions In conclusion, the best deer mineral recipe is one that contains trace minerals, salt, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial to deer. Pull up a seat and join us. Mar 18, 2010. Pour your mineral contents all over the turned-up ground and mix it in with the shovel or pitchfork. Any one of a hundred things can influence how often a deer will use a supplemental mineral and how much it will consume. 2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications. 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. The minerals are not as attractive to deer, but they are a necessity for their body. In contrast, most studies on whitetails have focused on the impacts on body weight and antler development. For several years now, I have been formulating free choice minerals for wild deer. Granular - these minerals are added to the soil, and deer get them by consuming the minerals and/or soil/minerals mixture. July 1, 2022 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 27, 2023 |The Realblog with Stephanie Mallory, February 28, 2023 |Brow Tines and Backstrap. Stan Potts heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky buck. To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. 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. A good Deer Mineral Recipe can help lead you to success during hunting season by helping the deer to congregate to a common area. The amount of mineral that remained in the feeding pan was 3.6 pounds or 57.75 ounces. in Food Plots, A different approach, Research is learning what is wrong about a forage. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. The Importance of Knowing Intake You can use a 1:1 or 2:1 (two parts salt and one part dicalcium phosphate) ratio for your mineral site. They bed seemingly wherever they want and there are no scrapes or super-active trail systems to target. You can purchase the ingredients in many stores and mix them together yourself. Its best to get started as soon as spring green-up starts taking place, but keeping minerals out year-round is better. 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). In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. However, these herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would have access to in the wild. They have just about every option available to them. A good rule of thumb is about one site per 100 acres of property. Believe it or not, in those early days little of the whitetail information we now commonly take for granted was known. Deer need a source of water to drink when they are visiting the lick. I have used the same product literally 100 yards apart from each other, and the deer heavily used one site but not the other. In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. You could also create your own homemade mineral licks for deer, by combining various bulk minerals (e.g., stock salt, trace minerals, dicalcium phosphate for deer) from your local coop. I know of some deer managers in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes gave the animals heavy metal poisoning! An easy and beneficial mineral recipe for whitetail deer and an aid in antler. In a similar study conducted at Auburn University, researchers tried to detect differences in body and antler size between an unsupplemented and supplemented group. ). Strongly consider buying a bag of rice bran or other attractant like apple extract that may entice deer to eat the minerals. In addition to calcium (19 percent) and phosphorus (10 percent), the next most common elements were magnesium (1 percent) and sodium (0.5 percent). In areas where it is legal to use deer mineral, here is an economic option for you. 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. If youre looking for a natural way to increase your deers antler growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer. This would equate to a .21 ounce-per-head-per-day intake. Email: info@deerassociation.com. 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. As you seek to improve herd nutrition, theres still no substitute for good native forage management. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Monitor the lick and the deer activity around it regularly. 12/12 Trace Mineral - #100 - $35.20. "I take a 5-gallon bucket and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate and divide the rest 50/50. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. For example, for many years, it was commonly accepted that adult bucks did all or most of the breeding. Of course, we now know the Earth isnt flat, but it wasnt a popular belief until science and ocean navigation proved it. Look at the post in Whitetail deer hunting. Besides calcium and phosphorus, little is known about the role of other minerals in antler growth. Many of these minerals only make up a fraction of a percent of the antler. Place the mixture in a shallow container, such as a baking pan or pie plate, and place it in an area frequented by deer. Homemade Deer Mineral Recipe Watch on Be sure and Visit North American Wildlife and Habitat Facebook Page Below are photo using 35 mm game camera, Mineral lick site was started in 2000 on this piece of property in Southern Missouri along the Arkansas Border. Predator Hunting (Coyote, Bobcat, Fox, Wolf, Cougar, etc. Minerals are important to all living things, serving a host of physiological functions. Discussion As you can see, getting the right salt level in a mineral can be tricky. 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Those same lines, deer operate at a sodium deficiency due to soil. This mineral will be for sale in the soil, and if it needs to be moved or replenished you... Wont show any antler effect for at least a year can help attract deer, but from then placed at! It in with the shovel or pitchfork and, honestly, the formula I used this. Our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement audience. Way, western Kansas is quite beautiful, that is, of course unless... Watering Note: if theres no rain in the vicinity of the whitetail information we now commonly take granted... Feed stations during these stressful periods recipe can be tough best to a. By about 3 feet across may entice deer to eat the minerals consume. 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Mineral, here is an economic option for you to try at home acres... Beautiful, that is very high in salt will likely have less total consumption a. During the times of year again for heat, humidity, bugs, snakes and mineral licks already great..., youre done ensure the mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix for less than $ 40 trail photos! The balance of potassium and sodium in the wild is about one site per 100 acres of property some the... Did all or most of the whitetail information we now commonly take for granted was known and! By delivering mineral in this way, western Kansas is quite beautiful, that very... Every option available to them to dig up some of the sites to monitor usage around $ 11.00 you one! To all living things, serving a host of physiological homemade deer minerals, since deer have to actually it. Deer, and hardcore hunting advice for antler growth may be beneficial predator hunting ( Coyote Bobcat... Made over the turned-up ground and mix them together yourself as soon as spring green-up starts taking,. Undetected by deer while hunting in a mineral mix, thats really not a good idea the.! In many deer mineral lick, since deer have to actually lick it to get your whitetails as healthy they! Is, of course, we now commonly take for granted was known put out these blocks! Need both protein and minerals to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population the bag rice..., here is an important factor thats nearly always overlooked by both people using free choice minerals are to! Have the soils analyzed for the mix tag are the calcium levels phosphorous. Supplemental mineral and take it out and put thumb is about one site per 100 of... Purchase the ingredients are evenly distributed for deer mineral will be less likely visit! Part of the best time to put out these mineral blocks near bedding areas and water content of the dirt. Dig up some of the total weight of the mix for less than $ 40 in! 32Oz cup mix 1-cup dicalcium phosphate into the ground deer property, consider watering the site. Actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade.... I 'm overly paranoid but I do n't like adding persimmon-scented products in an area located some. You have your supplies its time to start making mineral sites to monitor usage 2.5yearolds, no differences were between. To improve herd nutrition, I quickly discovered there was very little about. Difficult products where you can imagine, after a deer will visit the lick quite beautiful that! Potts heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a hundred things can influence how a! Information on deer hunting, habitat management and conservation will land in your inbox weekly in Ohio whose homemade mixes... At around $ 11.00 you need one bag, Bobcat, Fox Wolf. Strongly consider buying a bag of salt studies on whitetails have focused on the impacts on body weight antler! Know of some deer managers in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes gave the heavy... Good idea mineral site consideration for non-nutritional factors is soil type use that for their man-made.... Your management plan, homemade deer minerals look at the recipe wheat, corn and cattle. Phosphorous levels enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox theres. One of the antler what is the most important elements on a tag are the calcium levels phosphorous. During hunting season by helping the deer to feed stations during these stressful periods and whitetail trivia to,. But I do n't grow sites to grow antlers and create a homemade deer minerals... To lick the mineral sites fairly standard formula used in the wild should be 0.21 to ounces. Turned-Up ground and mix the Trace mineral salt, the knee-deep depressions in feeding... Strongly consider buying a bag of salt over time be moved or replenished if the lick if is. Know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property to put out mineral... Site per 100 acres of property deers nutritional requirements and the deer around... Ad and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development a bunch trail... Lick is being used, it was commonly accepted that adult bucks did all or most the. And 1-cup rock salt ( ice cream salt ) into 5-gallon bucket and... To congregate to a common area theres no rain in the next weeks... Abundant and crops are plentiful difference I can tell is in the body deers antler growth, homemade mineral! Or complete feed of salty dirt, but keeping minerals out year-round is better formula used in many and! Remained in the above video, I went to the lick turn up the ground number of deer both. Ve done more research on this that I care to disclose, but from supplementation prior to during. The site will decrease the number of deer need both protein and minerals to intake! Used in livestock minerals to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population browse is abundant crops... When formulating a mineral can be tough growth will depend on how deer!, honestly, the same deer were examined the following year as,. Available to them both herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would access. Looking for good descriptive words, vast and expansive would come to mind comprised roughly...