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. Too much salt and you will limit total intake of mineral. Phone: 1-800-209-DEER (3337) This can be beneficial for several reasons. About 40 percent is composed of protein. This is especially true of dried molasses, which deer love. Do the math. Also, fawns will learn mineral site areas from their mothers and will return to sites even after they are weaned. 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. Give a Gift 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. 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. They concluded that soil phosphorus levels were the best indicator of body size, probably because phosphorus deficient soils are common throughout the United States. A lot is made over the power of mineral sites to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population. 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. If you were looking for good descriptive words, vast and expansive would come to mind. This makes deer actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade licks. Want to get a bunch of trail camera photos during the times of year when it's typically difficult to do so? Whitetail Institute Mineral for Deer 5. Homemade deer mineral supplements work best near waterholes and food plots. Homemade Fortified Deer Block Bootleg Outdoors 146K views 5 years ago Mineral licks for deer Kosmo's Blackdog Outdoors 36K views 6 years ago You're signed out of YouTube Sign in to like. In the above video, I share a simple recipe for making about 100 pounds of the mix for less than $40. Place the lick in a location that has a lot of natural cover. You can provide deer these minerals and supplemented nutrition a variety of ways. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, Hot Gear: Protect Your Phone, Docs with Confidence, Ultralight Tactical Tomahawk The Proven Multipurpose Outdoor Tool. If youre looking for a natural way to increase your deers antler growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer. A classic study on the mineral needs of deer was conducted at Penn State University in the 1950s. Believe it or not, in those early days little of the whitetail information we now commonly take for granted was known. When spring rolls around, hunters everywhere gear up to begin establishing or recharging the mineral sites on their hunting properties. This mineral will be for sale in the next 2 weeks!! The combination will promote antler growth and help fawns shed their winter coats. Magnesium is perhaps the third most important mineral with sodium being not far behind. Lucky Buck Apple Flavored Deer Attractant 4. For about $50 or less, you can buy all the ingredients you need to make several productive and quality mineral sites for deer. This particularly is true for sandy soils, as well as highly acidic (low pH) or basic (high pH) soils. Because of the large quantities of minerals required for antler growth, whitetails have developed the ability to bank calcium and phosphorus in their skeletons and then transfer these minerals during antler growth. In todays video we are going to show you guys how to make your own deer mineral and save some money. 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. 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. Subscriber Services. Deer are very finicky when it comes to eating, especially when it is supplemental products offered to wild deer. In a large bowl, mix together the plain salt, white sugar, trace mineral salt, ground limestone, dolomite lime, and Epsom salt. 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. The best way to provide supplemental minerals is by using a granular mineral that contains less than 30 percent salt and has Ca and P at the rate of 12 percent each. The white earth minerals work well if you want to add . Here's how to create your own. February 24, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, February 22, 2023 |Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. The feeding pan had a total of 4.27 pounds, or 68.24 ounces, of mineral remaining. You want to have between 15-25% salt in any free choice mineral for maximum consumption. As I was at the time formulating a 20-year research plan for our institute, I decided it was a natural fit to include mineral supplementation in the plan. The first step is have the soils analyzed for the critical macro- and micro-nutrients. Making your own deer mineral isn't hard, nor is it expensive. Now, back to the 18 percent protein. Deer need a source of water to drink when they are visiting the lick. Getting your food plots back on track. All soils are made up of minerals, and there are clear deficiencies in many areas. Choose an area that is open with plenty of sunlight exposure. This recipe should also be tailored to meet the needs of the area in which it is being used. Wildgame Innovations, for example, has all manner of attractants that have a powerful aroma that should help deer find your mineral site more quickly and may add a flavor component that the deer love. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. 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. Taking common ingredients found in most homes and mixing them into a viable, attractive combination that deer love is an easy process. By delivering mineral in this way, youre exposing deer to greater risk of parasites and diseases. Western Kansas is also flat, and when I say flat, I dont mean kind of flat. Bogart, GA 30622 logging, flooding), a mineral site will receive increased usage with each progressive year. Maybe, or maybe not. "I take a 5-gallon bucket and use 1/4 Di-calcium phosphate and divide the rest 50/50. This is why knowing your intake is so important for your mineral program. All Rights Reserved. Micro-nutrients include: iron (Fe), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), iodine (I) and selenium (Se). With careful consideration of the deers nutritional requirements and the needs of the environment, a successful deer mineral recipe can be created. Once posts are published, youll see them here. Compared to sheep and goats, whitetails are copper hogs that need a lot of the mineral. Place the lick in an area that has good soil drainage. Be sure its in close proximity to a good tree for a trail camera, too. Thats because its long been a topic of widespread interest not only on the part of landowners and other habitat managers, but hunters, as well. N1 Outdoors - How To Make Your Own Deer Mineral Recipe (and what ingredients you'll need): Trace Minerals 2 parts trace minerals. Weve learned that a multi-pronged approach to providing deer minerals is best. The Importance of Knowing Intake Updates are provided, P.O. Next, choose a central location near cover and dig a shallow, 6-inch deep hole a few feet in diameter. 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. So why not just use straight salt? I've mentioned this before, but here is the recipe I use with prices. 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. Minerals are also important for does. All Rights Reserved. Attraction to salt is caused by the balance of potassium and sodium in the deers body. Before beginning the test, I allowed 30 days to let the deer get used to the feeding pan and then began the test after I started seeing consistent usage on my trail cameras. These products are used for raising livestock, but are exactly what you need for creating a quality mineral site. Therefore, mineral supplementation prior to and during antler growth may be beneficial. 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. Basically, the deer will tell you where they like to eat. Help us continue producing great, educational content by joining the National Deer Association or making a tax-deductible donation. Using a mineral mixture that has less than 50 percent salt will not attract deer. Bucks must live long enough to reach physical maturity while having access to high quality nutrition to achieve maximum antler growth. Once you have your supplies its time to start making mineral sites. One is to start by hanging your cameras on the fringes and then work your way toward bedding areas if deer movement warrants it. Make Your Own Deer Mineral 128,225 views May 5, 2014 485 Dislike Share Save Realtree 279K subscribers Antler Geek Tony Hansen shares his recipe and tips for making your own deer mineral. Copyright Jesse's Hunting & Outdoors L.L.C. 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. This sheds light on why quality forage high in protein is needed during the spring and summer for deer to reach their antler potential. The white will cause the deer to notice it and start to use it. Mineral rocks are often called a deer mineral lick, since deer have to actually lick it to get the mineral content. One method for making your own mineral blocks is to mix them with soil. However, these herds were fed a nutritionally deficient diet below what most whitetails would have access to in the wild. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need. Whether the addition of supplemental minerals is truly benefitting the deer, or if the deer are simply using the site because of the salt, isn't really a primary concern of mine. A few drops of a natural attractant, such as rice bran, apple extract, or salt, can also be added to your deer mineral. Research has shown that after a site is used, it will often become a part of the feeding and movement pattern. 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. Matt Harper is a deer nutrition specialist from Iowa. 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. 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. Mix it well. Dicalcium Phosphate Mix the ingredients above with 1 part dicalcium phosphate. Site by Gray Loon. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Stockpiled Forages, The Key to Growing Big Bucks. How to Make the World's Best Homemade Deer Attractant Feed Mineral - YouTube Skip navigation Sign in 0:00 / 18:02 Intro How to Make the World's Best Homemade Deer Attractant Feed. Strongly consider buying a bag of rice bran or other attractant like apple extract that may entice deer to eat the minerals. In formulating a plan of attack regarding mineral nutrition, I went to the same folks wed consulted about planting forages: dairymen. All Rights Reserved. Staying undetected by deer while hunting in a ground blind takes a few easy steps. Larry Redmon and Richard Reed (the latter now deceased) were local cattlemen and avid deer hunters, and they had a question Id never heard. Deer mineral ingredient levels and nutrient percentages really dont mean much if you dont know how much of the product is being consumed. Comes in 50lb Bags, you need one bag. Most commercially-made products are going to run about $20 a bag and each bag will service one site for a couple of months. Once youve thoroughly mixed the minerals with the soil, youre done. The best place to put a deer lick is near your closest water holes, ponds or water sources and near your food plots. 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. They bed seemingly wherever they want and there are no scrapes or super-active trail systems to target. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. Besides calcium and phosphorus, little is known about the role of other minerals in antler growth. This can help attract deer to feed stations during these stressful periods. The ingredients include Trace mineral salt, Di-calcium phosphate, and dried molasses. The most reliable information on deer hunting, habitat management and conservation will land in your inbox weekly. Dicalcium phosphate contains around 19 percent phosphorous and 20 to 25 percent calcium. Rain will dissolve the mixture. There are commercial and "homemade" granular mixes available. Making your own deer mineral isn't hard, nor is it expensive. Research in Tennessee supports this. Of course, the other macro- and micro-nutrients should be included in lesser amounts. Factors Affecting Mineral Intake This makes deer actively seek out concentrated sources of sodium such as natural or manmade licks. Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. In the old days, we simply dug holes and poured granular mineral into them. Weve put together one of the best deer mineral recipe articles for you to try at home. Research in Tennessee supports this. WATCH: 3 Things Youre Doing Wrong with Your Mineral Sites. That's why mineral licks make excellent trail camera spots in the summer. 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. Many hunters believe that it is simply because bucks need the minerals for antler growth and does for raising fawns during these months. Have you ever traveled through western Kansas? The diacalcium phosphate costs about $25 to $30 and the trace-mineral salt is about $12 to $15 per bag. Honestly, I'm not sure and it really doesn't matter to me that much. As I previously mentioned, intake is a vital factor when formulating a mineral or protein supplement or complete feed. Although many people assume that any mineral will grow trophy bucks, most deer are not that fortunate. In addition, one group was provided a commercial mineral supplement. Calcium and phosphorous are the two biggest components of antler growth after protein. Have fun with it. A lot is made over the power of mineral sites to grow antlers and create a healthier deer population. There are many other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery. 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. The minerals are not as attractive to deer, but they are a necessity for their body. ). I replicated the test on three different farms to help alleviate variables, at least to a certain degree. Calcium and phosphorus are important for bone growth, while magnesium helps to regulate muscle and nerve function. To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. Additionally, a homemade deer mineral lick can also include minerals like iron, manganese, and cobalt to provide additional health benefits. Mixing Salts Mix the trace minerals above with 1 part mixing salts Dried Molasses Mix the above ingredients with 1 part dried molasses. 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Bran or other attractant like apple extract that may entice deer to eat the minerals and use 1/4 Di-calcium and! Most homes and mixing them into a viable, attractive combination that deer love by joining the deer! Protein is needed during the spring and summer for deer to notice it start! Most homes and mixing them into a viable, attractive combination that deer love is an easy process a deer! Several reasons are many other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery comes eating. Say flat, I share a simple recipe for making your own deer mineral and save money. Many other examples of popular beliefs being dramatically changed through scientific discovery bag will one... Way toward bedding areas if deer movement warrants it GA 30622 logging, flooding ), a deer... Difficult to do so ground blind takes a few easy steps take for granted was known, deer.

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