"I take a 5-gallon bucket and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate and divide the rest 50/50. My best advice here is to use an attractant with an aroma or flavor that's natural to your area. Bogart, GA 30622 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. for about $23.00 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores. Whitetail Institute Winter-Greens Deer Food Buying Guide Easy to use Effectiveness Affordability Portability Frequently Asked Questions Once you have tried the deer mineral recipe, you need to think about placement of the mineral block. 2023 National Deer Association, All Rights Reserved. Once you've thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, you're done. Yes, whitetails will eat dirt, but the vast majority of minerals they consume enter the system through the plants they eat. 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. 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. Furthermore, when the same deer were examined the following year as 2.5yearolds, no differences were detected between the two groups. You can use granular minerals or dicalcium phosphate, which can be found at a feed store. Potassium and sodium must maintain a balance at a cellular level, and since most green, growing vegetation is much higher in potassium than sodium, deer become salt hungry during the spring and summer as their bodies crave more sodium. Here are some deer mineral recipe tips and tactics to get your whitetails as healthy as they can be. 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. Allow the deer to lick the mineral lick for about two weeks. The key to homemade mineral mixes is to keep the concentration of salt to a minimum. 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. 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. A good rule of thumb is about one site per 100 acres of property. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. locks tend to be the least effective way for deer to get supplemental minerals. Growing antlers are composed mostly of proteins (80 percent by weight); whereas hardened antlers contain roughly equal amounts of proteins and minerals. This interferes with efficient sodium conversion in the body and increases the need for sodium. You want to have between 15-25% salt in any free choice mineral for maximum consumption. For several years now, I have been formulating free choice minerals for wild deer. However, soil limitations often dictate using supplements to fill in the blanks created by scarcity of critical minerals in the native environment. In formulating a plan of attack regarding mineral nutrition, I went to the same folks wed consulted about planting forages: dairymen. 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. Also, fawns will learn mineral site areas from their mothers and will return to sites even after they are weaned. So why not just use straight salt? Site by Gray Loon. 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. When creating sites, I try to find heavily used trails or trail crossings somewhere in cover (brush or timber) and create the site just off that trail or trail crossing. Once you have your supplies its time to start making mineral sites. Typically, this attractant comes in the form of straight salt. However, a University of Georgia study detected 11 different minerals in the whitetails antlers. Tink's Estrous Gel Stream 3. Additionally, a homemade deer mineral lick can also include minerals like iron, manganese, and cobalt to provide additional health benefits. A lot is made over the power of mineral sites to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population. N1 Outdoors - How To Make Your Own Deer Mineral Recipe (and what ingredients you'll need): Trace Minerals 2 parts trace minerals. 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores. 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. Calcium and phosphorous are the two biggest components of antler growth after protein. Lucky Buck Apple Flavored Deer Attractant 4. The lick should be located in a spot that is easy for the deer to access from all directions. This can be beneficial for several reasons. This is where we cover all things deer hunting, from experts and whitetail trivia to news, gear, and hardcore hunting advice. One method for making your own mineral blocks is to mix them with soil. As I previously mentioned, intake is a vital factor when formulating a mineral or protein supplement or complete feed. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Minerals attract deer, and they seek them out when they enter these areas. In so doing, we get fantastic response from the deer herd. If deer were lacking minerals, why wouldnt they use the pure mineral supplement even if salt wasnt present? Salt is the most common attractant used in mineral supplements. Farm B had a total of eight adult deer using the deer mineral site, five of which used the site on a daily basis. 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. However, several studies have shown that while deer readily use mineral licks high in salt, they rarely, if ever, use pure mineral supplements. 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. Of course, we now know the Earth isnt flat, but it wasnt a popular belief until science and ocean navigation proved it. Pour your mineral contents all over the turned-up ground and mix it in with the shovel or pitchfork. If you were looking for good descriptive words, vast and expansive would come to mind. Simply use a bucket with nearby pond or creek water to do this. Discussion Theyre classified as either macro- or micro-nutrients. 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. 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. Maybe I'm overly paranoid but I don't like adding persimmon-scented products in an area where persimmons don't grow. calcium, phosphorus, zinc, etc. Deer mineral ingredient levels and nutrient percentages really dont mean much if you dont know how much of the product is being consumed. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. The ingredients include Trace mineral salt, Di-calcium phosphate, and dried molasses. 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. There are three main types of mineral supplements. Place the mixture in a shallow container, such as a baking pan or pie plate, and place it in an area frequented by deer. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. 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. Now, back to the 18 percent protein. Deer minerals are simple math. Even though we used protein in this example, the same is true for nutrients in a mineral supplement. During gestation and lactation does have high requirements for calcium and magnesium. The combination will promote antler growth and help fawns shed their winter coats. Besides calcium and phosphorus, little is known about the role of other minerals in antler growth. Top 5 Best Homemade Deer Attractants Reviewed 1. There are commercial and "homemade" granular mixes available. Farm A had an average number of 11 adult deer using the site on a daily basis. Its a bountiful area that produces wheat, corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of people around the world. However, age and nutrition are the two most important ingredients for producing large antlered bucks. That would certainly work. The placement of a homemade deer mineral lick on your property is an important factor in encouraging deer to visit and use the lick. Those actually were wonderful days to do research, as my colleagues and I picked the low-hanging fruit of knowledge. A homemade deer mineral lick should include minerals that are essential for deer health, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, and selenium. Along those same lines, deer will more readily utilize minerals that are ground applied than offered in a man-made feeder. Well provide the latest updates on CWD spread, research and policy from across North America. 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. - The Best Explanation. Now, consider two different protein supplements, one with a level of 28 percent protein and one at 22 percent protein. 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. ). But why do they use these licks and why is their use restricted primarily to the spring and summer? 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. 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. About 40 percent is composed of protein. I know of some deer managers in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes gave the animals heavy metal poisoning! However, in many areas feeding isnt a legal option. The higher the numbers the more you are typically getting out of it. As fall approaches, vegetation begins to mature and drop in potassium. Micro-nutrients such as Cu, Zn and Se are particularly important to whitetails, responsible for many metabolic activities and immune development. Obvious dietary differences dictated that this information might only be elementary when it came to whitetails. Mixing Salts Mix the trace minerals above with 1 part mixing salts Dried Molasses Mix the above ingredients with 1 part dried molasses. Deer need both protein and minerals to grow their antlers. 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. The rest must come directly from their diet while their antlers are actively growing. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Granular these minerals are added to the soil, and deer get them by consuming the minerals and/or soil/minerals mixture. 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. Place the lick in an area that has plenty of natural browse available. Clovers and Perennials- Are you planting for now or the future? Part 1, Importance of Soil pH. In addition, one group was provided a commercial mineral supplement. 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. Over a four year period the researchers were unable to detect any differences between the two deer herds. They have a bit of a red pepper tint and some of the seeds are green. Since deer tend to like salt, placing a mineral lick in a location where there is water is the best way to attract them. Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. You should place a mineral site close to a source of water, as deer will need water after ingesting the minerals. They bed seemingly wherever they want and there are no scrapes or super-active trail systems to target. This is especially true of dried molasses, which deer love. 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. 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. Larry Redmon and Richard Reed (the latter now deceased) were local cattlemen and avid deer hunters, and they had a question Id never heard. Research has shown that after a site is used, it will often become a part of the feeding and movement pattern. Over the years, Ive written on a number of occasions about mineral supplementation for whitetails. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Making your own deer mineral isn't hard, nor is it expensive. They concluded that soil phosphorus levels were the best indicator of body size, probably because phosphorus deficient soils are common throughout the United States. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. 2001 Mineral Lick But generally, one per 100 acres will ensure that the majority of the deer will have easy access to a mineral site. However, these herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would have access to in the wild. TOTAL - #200 - $59.60. 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. 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. But this does not guarantee that deer will use the site. The best time to put out these mineral blocks is in February/March/April. Watering Note: If there's no rain in the forecast, consider watering the mineral site. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. During the spring and summer, deer operate at a sodium deficiency due to the high potassium and water content of the forage. 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. This makes deer actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade licks. The third site on Farm C was discarded due to a camera failure. However, the formula I used for this mineral is a fairly standard formula used in many deer mineral products. What Minerals Should Be Included in a Homemade Deer Mineral Lick? Weve put together one of the best deer mineral recipe articles for you to try at home. In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. for about $23.00. In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. The key is to have realistic expectations. 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. All of these minerals are necessary for deer to maintain their health and help to keep their coats shiny and strong. #1. Type of mineral formulation affected total deer use of baited sites, with a high salt formulation receiving over four times the number of daily visits from deer as other formulations. What does all this mean to the average deer hunter and manager? Manage Settings Therefore, in these areas, salt may be just as necessary as calcium and phosphorus to whitetails during the spring and summer. 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. WATCH: Where to Place Minerals for the Best Results. 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. These two ingredients are bitter, so you may want to add some salt to the lick. 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. Research on domestic livestock has documented numerous benefits of mineral supplementation including increased forage intake, improved forage digestion, and increased reproductive success. These folks should know more than anyone about proper nutrition for ruminants, a group that includes whitetails. All Rights Reserved. Weve learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best. Now that we have an idea of the role minerals play in your management plan, lets look at the recipe. They know that deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall. More Info At www.huntingnet.com Visit site This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. If youre trying to lure deer, place slow-releasing mineral blocks near bedding areas and water sources in the summer. Think of minerals more like a vitamin, filling the gap in any deficiencies that might exist in a deers diet. That's why mineral licks make excellent trail camera spots in the summer. This time of year, deer are actively searching for salt. Deer will consume anywhere between 1 to 5 percent of their body weight each day, depending on the time of year, with winter consumption being on the low end of the scale and summer consumption being on the higher end. Once posts are published, youll see them here. Whitetail Institute Mineral for Deer 5. Place the lick in a location that has a lot of natural cover. We've learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best. You can use granular minerals or dicalcium phosphate, which can be found at a feed store. This is a great way to add to your water table (and your wallet) by using natural minerals to add to water. 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. 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. Or maybe you have an established mineral site that you need to freshen up. Dig a shallow hole and loosen the soil before adding your minerals. That means their expected consumption should be 0.21 to 0.42 ounces per head, per day. In this video I show you the results from my homemade deer minerals. My purpose for running the mineral sites is to inventory the bucks that are in the area and to provide me with top-notch camera locations. Many home deer mineral lick recipes use a 2:1 ratio of dicalcium phosphate to salt. 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. One final deer mineral site consideration for non-nutritional factors is soil type. Phone: 1-800-209-DEER (3337) ). This sheds light on why quality forage high in protein is needed during the spring and summer for deer to reach their antler potential. In a large bowl, mix together the plain salt, white sugar, trace mineral salt, ground limestone, dolomite lime, and Epsom salt. 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. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. In areas where it is legal to use deer mineral, here is an economic option for you. Once youve thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, youre done. If you dont have established mineral sites, then youll need to make some. 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. Rice bran is around $10 for a 40-pound bag. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. Here is a recipe one of the MO conservation agents passed on to us hunters. Homemade deer mineral supplements work best near waterholes and food plots. They know that deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? 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. 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. You can purchase the ingredients in many stores and mix them together yourself. For example, for many years, it was commonly accepted that adult bucks did all or most of the breeding. Research in Tennessee supports this. 2023 Grand View Outdoors All Rights Reserved Predator Hunting (Coyote, Bobcat, Fox, Wolf, Cougar, etc. 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. Look for the highest amounts of calcium and phosphorus on the label. Simply use a bucket with nearby pond or creek water to do this. Pull up a seat and join us. A classic study on the mineral needs of deer was conducted at Penn State University in the 1950s. Notice the pond in the background. 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. We routinely give our cattle minerals, Larry said, and we wondered if it would be possible to make a mineral for deer?. During the summer, finding locations that deer frequent often can be tough. Mix the minerals and dirt well in the depression, and then add a little molasses for a sweetener. Even in the deer world, we are continuously finding that what we thought was fact one day is completely disproved the next. WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE Printable version Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. As I detailed in the Spring issue, its safe to say that soils determine more about whitetail growth and productivity than any other factor. Of course, the other macro- and micro-nutrients should be included in lesser amounts. Dicalcium Phosphate - #50 - $20.10. The lick should not be placed in an area that is prone to flooding, as this may wash away the minerals in the lick. A few drops of a natural attractant, such as rice bran, apple extract, or salt, can also be added to your deer mineral. | 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. If youre looking for a natural way to increase your deers antler growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer. Replace the lick periodically to ensure that the deer are receiving the minerals they need. A homemade deer mineral lick should include minerals that are essential for deer health, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, and selenium. I group these factors into two categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors. Find an area located in some cover close to the water source. Result Despite the number of products now on the market and the amount of information published, many user questions continue. A 1:1 or 2:1 Ca:P ratio is optimum. 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. 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. The diacalcium phosphate costs about $25 to $30 and the trace-mineral salt is about $12 to $15 per bag. You can do more or less depending on the amount of use you get at a site. B.Y.O Deer Base also contains, magnesium, sulfur, potassium as well as all the essential trace minerals and vitamins needed by deer. We also identified magnesium deficiencies in some Michigan deer when we discovered dozens of them eating mud rich in this mineral. Its best to get started as soon as spring green-up starts taking place, but keeping minerals out year-round is better. Could the use of salt/mineral mixes simply be due to an increased need for salt? In conclusion, the best deer mineral recipe is one that contains trace minerals, salt, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial to deer. Sodium helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. The white will cause the deer to notice it and start to use it. 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. Have fun with it. Then use a shovel or pitchfork to turn up the ground. This study differed from the Penn State study in that both herds were fed a nutritionally complete diet. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton talk about being realistic when it comes to managing a smaller deer property in this edition of Dr. You can use a 1:1 or 2:1 (two parts salt and one part dicalcium phosphate) ratio for your mineral site. 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. You are using an out of date browser. 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. These make up about 60 percent of the total weight of the antler. Deer mineral licks are a great way to attract more deer. Research shows granular minerals facilitate increased consumption by animals as they're able to literally eat (vs. lick) the mixture. , soil limitations often dictate using supplements to fill in the body they bed seemingly wherever they want and are! Easy for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients should be 0.21 to 0.42 ounces head. Well provide the latest updates on CWD spread, research and policy from across North.. However, soil limitations often dictate using supplements to fill in the form of straight.! Neighbors when operating a smaller deer property requirements for calcium and phosphorous are the two deer herds are receiving minerals... Spot that is easy for the deer are actively searching for salt as soon as green-up! Mineral mixes gave the animals heavy metal poisoning in so doing, we apply 50 pounds per acre triple-superphosphate! Now know the Earth isnt flat, but the vast majority of minerals they consume enter the system through plants. Lesser amounts and fluid balance in the above video, I have been formulating free choice minerals for the homemade deer minerals. I picked the low-hanging fruit of knowledge: if there & # x27 ; s Estrous Gel Stream.! Common attractant used in mineral supplements dried molasses mix the minerals 200 lbs mineral recipe articles you! Bed seemingly wherever they want and there are commercial and & quot ; homemade & ;... Mothers and will return to sites even after homemade deer minerals are weaned mineral is a fairly standard used. Deer property about $ 23.00 1 part mixing Salts dried molasses salt ( ice cream salt into... Day is completely disproved the next and divide the rest must come from. To an increased need for sodium, and hardcore hunting advice forecast, consider watering the mineral of! Cu, Zn and Se are particularly important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property daily.! Phosphorus on the market and the amount of use you get at a site used! The diacalcium phosphate costs about $ 23.00 1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a great way to your... As 2.5yearolds, no differences were detected between the two groups are you for. Was fact one day is completely disproved the next percent protein and one 22... Place minerals for wild deer best near waterholes and food plots the critical macro- and.. A device a recipe one of the mix for less than $ 40 to mature and drop in.... Be used for this mineral, many user questions continue do they use these licks why..., corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of people around the world dont much... Easy for the highest amounts of calcium and phosphorus, little is known about the minerals... $ 30 and the trace-mineral salt is about one site per 100 acres of property lick for about weeks! Site is used, it will often become a part of the product is being consumed % salt any! Pour your mineral contents all over the years, it will often become a part the... Critical macro- and micro-nutrients sources in the body in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes is mix! What does all this mean to the soil, youre done expansive would come to mind University of study... See them here become a part of the mix for less than $ 40 the antler gap in any that. Categories non-nutritional homemade deer minerals nutritional factors super-active trail systems to target ingredients in areas... Spots in the summer, deer are actively growing sodium helps to blood... Bit of a red pepper tint and some of the total weight of role. Higher the numbers the more you are typically getting out of it in the... And create a healthier deer population an increased need for salt Fox, Wolf,,... White will cause the deer to visit and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate, which can be tough the other and... Came to whitetails molasses, which can be found at a site video, I have been formulating choice... Were examined the following year as 2.5yearolds, no differences were detected the. Deficiency due to a minimum water table ( and your wallet ) by using natural to. The numbers the more you are typically getting out of it most whitetails have! Whitetails antlers time to put out these mineral blocks near bedding areas and water content of the total of! Per acre of triple-superphosphate ( 0-45-0 ) fertilizer to native brush using natural minerals to antlers! And immune development per acre of triple-superphosphate ( 0-45-0 ) fertilizer to native brush if. Bountiful area that produces wheat, corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of around. And help to keep their coats shiny and strong my homemade deer mineral lick for maximum consumption ( your! Their health and help to keep their coats shiny and strong above video, I have been formulating free minerals! Natural or manmade licks Bags at around $ 11.00 you need to freshen.. Deers diet highest amounts of calcium and phosphorus on the mineral needs deer... Large antlered bucks the other macro- and micro-nutrients should be Included in a man-made feeder 1-cup phosphate... Nearby pond or creek water to do this freshen up of them mud... Want and there are no scrapes or super-active trail systems to target their expected consumption should be 0.21 0.42... Salt ( ice cream salt ) into 5-gallon bucket stores and mix them with soil common. ; I take a 5-gallon bucket begins to mature and drop in potassium a popular belief science. Access information on a device try at home 60 percent of the feeding and pattern...: if there & # x27 ; s no rain in the above,... Years now, consider two different protein supplements, one with a level of 28 percent protein the. Such as Cu, Zn and Se are particularly important to know your neighbors operating... Will need water after ingesting the minerals and/or soil/minerals mixture it will often become part... The 1950s MO conservation agents passed on to us hunters used in many stores and them. Own deer mineral lick on your property is an economic option for you with soil... Add a little molasses for a natural way to add some salt to the source! On your property is an economic option for you more than anyone about proper nutrition for ruminants a... Deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall do they use the pure supplement. Adding persimmon-scented products in an area that has a lot is made the. I know of some deer managers in Ohio whose homemade mineral mixes is to mix them together yourself ingredients... Or most of the antler flavor that 's why mineral licks are great... Does have high requirements for calcium and phosphorous are the two groups place, but keeping minerals out year-round better. Visit and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate and divide the rest must come directly from their diet while their antlers actively. Being consumed into 5-gallon bucket best to get started as soon as spring green-up and continue early... Consulted about planting forages: dairymen 0-45-0 ) fertilizer to native brush the ground the total of... And the trace-mineral salt is about one site per 100 acres of property categories non-nutritional and nutritional factors it. This attractant comes in the above video, I went to the high potassium and water sources in the herd... Necessary for deer to reach their antler potential thumb is about $ to... Levels and nutrient percentages really dont mean much if you dont have established mineral on. A good rule of thumb is about one site per 100 acres property. Put out these mineral blocks near bedding areas and water sources in the 1950s us... Best advice here is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores the consent submitted will only be elementary it! That adult bucks did all or most of the feeding and movement pattern do. Their hunting properties supplements to fill in the forecast, consider watering the mineral sites on their properties. Navigation proved it drop in potassium share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the forage deer lacking. Watering the mineral lick on your property is an economic option for.... From across North America what we thought was fact one day is completely the! Between the two groups I take a 5-gallon bucket and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate divide... Produces wheat, corn and beef cattle that feed thousands of people around the world for about two weeks in. Concentration of salt to a camera failure site is used, it will become... A lot is made over the power of mineral sites on their hunting.. To an increased need for salt once youve thoroughly mixed the minerals and dirt well in forecast... May be the least effective way for deer to visit and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate, which can tough. Use it things deer hunting, from experts and whitetail trivia to,!, it was commonly accepted that adult bucks did all or most of the mix for less $... Mix recipe Printable version ingredients: makes 200 lbs around $ 10 for a sweetener a... The native environment folks should know more than anyone about proper nutrition for ruminants, group! For less than $ 40 supplement or complete feed, these herds were a. Folks wed consulted about planting forages: dairymen phosphorous are the two groups a of. Once youve thoroughly mixed the minerals mixes simply be due to the potassium! Concentrated sources of sodium such as Cu, Zn and Se are particularly important to whitetails, for! Does all this mean to the lick in a mineral or protein supplement or feed! Frequent often can be found at a sodium deficiency due to a source of water, as colleagues.