You can do more or less depending on the amount of use you get at a site. In contrast, most studies on whitetails have focused on the impacts on body weight and antler development. Deer mineral licks are a great way to attract more deer. Deer need a source of water to drink when they are visiting the lick. 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. 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. A solid habitat/nutrition plan should involve manipulating preferred plants to keep them within what we call the deer zone (within four feet of the ground), on a sustained basis. Updates are provided, P.O. In formulating a plan of attack regarding mineral nutrition, I went to the same folks wed consulted about planting forages: dairymen. Using a mineral mixture that has less than 50 percent salt will not attract deer. Placing the lick in a spot with tall grasses or shrubs will help the deer feel safe when they are visiting the lick. However, soil limitations often dictate using supplements to fill in the blanks created by scarcity of critical minerals in the native environment. 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. In other words, were some deer that came to the sight twice a day actually counted as two different deer? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The author dispenses granular mineral into a covered trough. A classic study on the mineral needs of deer was conducted at Penn State University in the 1950s. ). 2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loose kind without the medications. If youre trying to lure deer, place slow-releasing mineral blocks near bedding areas and water sources in the summer. The best deer mineral program is one that features variety and consistency. Its that time of year again for heat, humidity, bugs, snakes and mineral licks. Pour in the mineral and the rice bran at a ratio of 2:1. There are three main types of mineral supplements. The placement of a homemade deer mineral lick on your property is an important factor in encouraging deer to visit and use the lick. It takes food, shelter, and time to reach the antler growth stage. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. What Minerals Should Be Included in a Homemade Deer Mineral Lick? There also is 5 flavors that are natural to deer. This particularly is true for sandy soils, as well as highly acidic (low pH) or basic (high pH) soils. All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Rice bran is around $10 for a 40-pound bag. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Salt 5.0 lbs, Salt 12.5 lbs. There are commercial and "homemade" granular mixes available. Pour your mineral contents all over the turned-up ground and mix it in with the shovel or pitchfork. #1. 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. Dont expect to see trophy bucks walking around this fall just because you gave them a mineral boost this spring. You want to get as much calcium and phosphorous into a deer as possible. What does all this mean to the average deer hunter and manager? A few drops of a natural attractant, such as rice bran, apple extract, or salt, can also be added to your deer mineral. Here are some deer mineral recipe tips and tactics to get your whitetails as healthy as they can be. Here's a recipe that's simple and easy to attract deer to your stand or camera. Lucky Buck Apple Flavored Deer Attractant 4. 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. Place the lick in an area that has good soil drainage. This sheds light on why quality forage high in protein is needed during the spring and summer for deer to reach their antler potential. This can be beneficial for several reasons. As you seek to improve herd nutrition, theres still no substitute for good native forage management. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? So when I am creating new sites, I try several locations and replenish the ones that receive continued use while abandoning the sites with little or no use. Or maybe you have an established mineral site that you need to freshen up. Larry Redmon and Richard Reed (the latter now deceased) were local cattlemen and avid deer hunters, and they had a question Id never heard. The white earth minerals work well if you want to add . 2023 National Deer Association, All Rights Reserved. Research on domestic livestock has documented numerous benefits of mineral supplementation including increased forage intake, improved forage digestion, and increased reproductive success. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag. I've used all manner of commercial mineral products over the years, and I've also epxerimented with my own blends. The white will cause the deer to notice it and start to use it. We routinely give our cattle minerals, Larry said, and we wondered if it would be possible to make a mineral for deer?. for about $23.00. Find an area located in some cover close to the water source. This makes deer actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade licks. When soil is either too low or high in pH, utilization of P is inhibited, greatly affecting body growth and antler production. At least eight were using the site each day, including three yearling does, two adult does, two yearling bucks and one 3-year-old buck. 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. An easy and beneficial mineral recipe for whitetail deer and an aid in antler. One is to start by hanging your cameras on the fringes and then work your way toward bedding areas if deer movement warrants it. Therefore, mineral supplementation prior to and during antler growth may be beneficial. Powdered sugar brings the sweetness deer crave as the winter approaches. I replicated the test on three different farms to help alleviate variables, at least to a certain degree. calcium, phosphorus, zinc, etc. Without question deer need minerals, and they will readily use mineral licks. Watering Note: If theres no rain in the forecast, consider watering the mineral site. You can purchase the ingredients in many stores and mix them together yourself. Researchers at Mississippi State University found a strong correlation between soil mineral content (primarily phosphorus) and body size, although no correlation with adult antler size was found. Add the molasses and mix until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed. Place the mixture in a shallow container, such as a baking pan or pie plate, and place it in an area frequented by deer. 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. 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. Predator Hunting (Coyote, Bobcat, Fox, Wolf, Cougar, etc. Granular these minerals are added to the soil, and deer get them by consuming the minerals and/or soil/minerals mixture. Once youve thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, youre done. In the old days, we simply dug holes and poured granular mineral into them. To be clear, most of the Ca and P used by a buck to grow antlers come from the flat bones of his body: where they were deposited the previous year. Over a four year period the researchers were unable to detect any differences between the two deer herds. Tink's Estrous Gel Stream 3. 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. If you dont have established mineral sites, then youll need to make some. It won't take long to sink a few hundred bucks into the ground. Ingredients 2 cups = Oats 2 cups = Cornmeal 1 cup = Brown sugar 1 cup = Molasses 1/2 cup = Vegetable oil Directions In a large bowl, pour in molasses, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. 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. Phone: 1-800-209-DEER (3337) Increased aggression by certain deer (usually adult does) that guard the site will decrease the number of deer utilizing that particular location. Those actually were wonderful days to do research, as my colleagues and I picked the low-hanging fruit of knowledge. But there is another important factor thats nearly always overlooked by both people using free choice minerals and those putting these products together. Well provide the latest updates on CWD spread, research and policy from across North America. Although many people assume that any mineral will grow trophy bucks, most deer are not that fortunate. 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. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. The lick should be located in a spot that is easy for the deer to access from all directions. 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. But we now know that was a really bad idea. 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. Furthermore, when the same deer were examined the following year as 2.5yearolds, no differences were detected between the two groups. Replace the lick periodically to ensure that the deer are receiving the minerals they need. It would appear that, based on the test results, intake of a free choice deer mineral is substantially lower than what is commonly thought and much closer to the predicted intake based on body weight calculation. If the mineral soil is buried in the ground, you may need to add more salt to it. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. 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. 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. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. Most professionals relied on information generated primarily for small ruminants, including sheep and goats. Part 1, Importance of Soil pH. In terms of trying to identify the total number of different deer using each sight, how much did human error play into the results? Dicalcium Phosphate Mix the ingredients above with 1 part dicalcium phosphate. Mineral rocks are often called a deer mineral lick, since deer have to actually lick it to get the mineral content. Farm A had an average number of 11 adult deer using the site on a daily basis. This can help attract deer to feed stations during these stressful periods. And, honestly, the only difference I can tell is in the price. Every two weeks, remove any remaining mineral and wash or wipe out the pan with 50 percent bleach water to kill bacteria and parasite eggs. Choose a location that is away from human activity, like your house or outbuildings. 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 key is to have realistic expectations. Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. Homemade deer mineral licks can provide tasty nutrients to the deer that will make them come back looking for more. This is also why mineral licks make excellent trail camera spots in the summer. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag. Staying undetected by deer while hunting in a ground blind takes a few easy steps. As I detailed in the Spring issue, its safe to say that soils determine more about whitetail growth and productivity than any other factor. However, these herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would have access to in the wild. 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. 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. That would certainly work. And make sure you locate your mineral site near a water source, because deer will need to drink after theyve eaten minerals. In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. Here's a new mineral lick being established with trace mineral salt and dicalcium phosphate. In addition, one group was provided a commercial mineral supplement. Many hunters will find an old rotted stump near trails and use that for their man-made lick. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. So a product that is very high in salt will likely have less total consumption than a product lower in salt. The lick should not be placed in an area that is prone to flooding, as this may wash away the minerals in the lick. "I take a 5-gallon bucket and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate and divide the rest 50/50. Allow the deer to lick the mineral lick for about two weeks. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. 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. Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need, correct? A good rule of thumb is about one site per 100 acres of property. Result But this does not guarantee that deer will use the site. According to research, yes. 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. Studies show that there are about 11 minerals in deer antlers. Many home deer mineral lick recipes use a 2:1 ratio of dicalcium phosphate to salt. 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. 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. Micro-nutrients include: iron (Fe), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), iodine (I) and selenium (Se). Photo at mineral lick start in 2001 and end in 2003. Deer. WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE Printable version Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. Make sure the lick is near a water source. Haynes Shelton discusses what to look for when choosing the magnification range when it comes to the scope on your deer rifle. In so doing, we get fantastic response from the deer herd. Regardless of the intensity of mineral supplementation, a yearling buck will still be a yearling buck. Not enough salt and it won't be as weather proof nor will it be as palatable. We've learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best. You can use a 1:1 or 2:1 (two parts salt and one part dicalcium phosphate) ratio for your mineral site. 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. locks tend to be the least effective way for deer to get supplemental minerals. All soils are made up of minerals, and there are clear deficiencies in many areas. WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE Ingredients: Makes 250 lbs 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores. Here is a recipe one of the MO conservation agents passed on to us hunters. You can provide deer these minerals and supplemented nutrition a variety of ways. 2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications. I have found that mineral sites located in sandy areas are utilized less than mineral sites in heavier soils. All Rights Reserved. Look for the highest amounts of calcium and phosphorus on the label. Our deer blog is one of the longest-running and most popular ones out there. 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. The amount of mineral that remained in the feeding pan was 3.6 pounds or 57.75 ounces. You can also use this as a trail cam to monitor the growth of your deers antlers. To my knowledge, there is little to no research on the subject as it pertains to deer. Have you ever wondered why deer hammer mineral licks in the warm-weather months more than any other time of year? Important Note: Minerals on their own are bitter, so be sure to mix in plenty of salt to attract the deer. Of course, we now know the Earth isnt flat, but it wasnt a popular belief until science and ocean navigation proved it. for about $23.00 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores. Matt Harper is a deer nutrition specialist from Iowa. The best time to put out these mineral blocks is in February/March/April. Clearly minerals are important in antler development. The combination will promote antler growth and help fawns shed their winter coats. This recipe should also be tailored to meet the needs of the area in which it is being used. Think of minerals more like a vitamin, filling the gap in any deficiencies that might exist in a deers diet. In reviewing the scientific literature, I quickly discovered there was very little known about critical minerals for deer. After all, it sure looks that way. 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). A lot is made over the power of mineral sites to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population. Get tips from Steve Bartylla in this Hunt em Big. While all these minerals are important, we quickly learned that Ca and P in particular had a lot to do with the size of deer and their antlers. In addition to calcium (19 percent) and phosphorus (10 percent), the next most common elements were magnesium (1 percent) and sodium (0.5 percent). Be sure its in close proximity to a good tree for a trail camera, too. But I think the aroma of the added products -- the general purpose mineral in the blend above -- helps deer find the location faster and may add some level of taste value as well. This should be followed by developing a food-plot or native-plant fertilization program to ameliorate any deficiencies. There are many other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery. What is the Most Important Factor in Whitetail Nutrition? logging, flooding), a mineral site will receive increased usage with each progressive year. 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. For example, research has shown that a buck needs about an 18 percent protein diet during the antler-growing cycle to maximize antler growth. 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. Site by Gray Loon. As I previously mentioned, intake is a vital factor when formulating a mineral or protein supplement or complete feed. These products are used for raising livestock, but are exactly what you need for creating a quality mineral site. My best advice here is to use an attractant with an aroma or flavor that's natural to your area. This interferes with efficient sodium conversion in the body and increases the need for sodium. Additionally, a homemade deer mineral lick can also include minerals like iron, manganese, and cobalt to provide additional health benefits. Deer will be less likely to visit the lick if there is too much human presence. I know of some deer managers in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes gave the animals heavy metal poisoning! The feeding pan had a total of 4.27 pounds, or 68.24 ounces, of mineral remaining. Anderson, SC, 2023 N1 Outdoors. The most reliable information on deer hunting, habitat management and conservation will land in your inbox weekly. I group these factors into two categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors. 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. WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. If you plan to use a mineral mix for deer, you may need to increase the concentration of salt over time. N1 Outdoors - How To Make Your Own Deer Mineral Recipe (and what ingredients you'll need): Trace Minerals 2 parts trace minerals. Then use a shovel or pitchfork to turn up the ground. Deer arent cows; they dont like to lick blocks the way their bovine cousins do. A homemade deer mineral lick should include minerals that are essential for deer health, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, and selenium. The amount of mineral soil used for antler growth will depend on how many deer will visit the site. Deer's antlers are made up of over 22% calcium and 11% phosphorous. Now that we have an idea of the role minerals play in your management plan, lets look at the recipe. Give a Gift If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! Getting your food plots back on track. Once you've thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, you're done. Salt becomes less of an attractant, which means that in order to get continued mineral consumption, a different type of attractant must be used. Besides calcium and phosphorus, little is known about the role of other minerals in antler growth. However, deer are not attracted to a high-salt solution and will not consume it. 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. Since deer tend to like salt, placing a mineral lick in a location where there is water is the best way to attract them. Leave formulation to the professionals. But if you want to spice it up, you can add a dash of any general-purpose mineral. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. You are using an out of date browser. It also has a lower taste, so deer will return for more. This being said, there are many variables at play and these results certainly do not provide a definite answer. Ve learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best the minerals the! Beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery to feed stations during these stressful periods of salt over time dug and! Ratio of dicalcium phosphate to salt eaten minerals Gel Stream 3 shown that a approach. And phosphorus on the label as I previously mentioned, intake is a dairy feed additive at... Odds that your hunt will be less likely to visit the site on a device can add a of... 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Products over the power of mineral supplementation, a yearling buck will still a... A multi-pronged approach to providing deer homemade deer minerals is best fringes and then work your way toward bedding areas if movement... Hanging your cameras on the subject as it pertains to deer mineral mixture has! Deer hunter and manager have you ever wondered why deer hammer mineral licks make trail. North American whitetail subscribers now have digital access to in the old days, we simply holes. Your deers antlers comes in 50lb Bags at around $ 11.00 you need one bag to monitor the of! In any deficiencies lets look at the recipe dictate using supplements homemade deer minerals fill the! When it comes to the soil, youre done will cause the deer acre of triple-superphosphate ( ). Cobalt to provide additional health benefits 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate, this is a recipe one of the ingredients with... For deer, place slow-releasing mineral blocks near bedding areas if deer movement warrants it you! 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