Salt/mineral supplements....

[DocHolladay]

For overall health, deer need salt and minerals year round. Its just that they don't use them year round.... especially bucks. Once the rut is in full swing and bucks are chasing and breeding, they don't do much eating of anything. They will stop on occasion and eat, but it isn't often and then the majority of the time, it isnt mineral. Does on the other hand will continue to eat as long as they aren't being bothered by a testosterone driven buck. It just happens that deer get the most benefit from salt and minerals from the time of conception/birth and antlers dropping off until the rut starts again(yearly). Salt/minerals arent really something to be put out and hunted over, it is to be used to make healthy deer. It can be hunted over, but most states seasons start about the time deer slow down on salt consumption. The good thing is, the salt/mineral that you put out to hunt over will be used after the season is over.

I have gone into the mineral making and selling business and here is the info we put on our brochure for the consumer so that they know what each thing does. We also suggest, instead of putting it out to hunt over, put it in a spot that is secluded that the deer frequent and wont be pressured. That way they can eat all they want and get the full benefit of it.
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'Product name withheld' is a dietary supplement that provides vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to the deer and other wildlife that use it. It will help in the overall health of the animals. It helps Bucks produce larger racks, Does produce more milk and helps Fawns in all stages of growth. If a doe is using 'product name withheld' while she is pregnant, the fawns will be healthier and stronger when born and have a better survival rate health wise. It also helps all the animals that use it produce strong healthy racks, bones and muscles.

Vitamins

Vitamins are very important to the deer's diet because the organic compounds are needed to support all of the deer's life stages. The vitamins A,D&E in the supplement manages the deer's absorption of calcium and phosphorus affecting not only their bones and teeth, but also the buck's antler growth and doe’s during the gestational period. Deer management is very important to achieve a healthy deer herd.

Vitamin A- helps with the immune system, eyes, skin and maintenance of the digestive and reproductive system.
Vitamin D- aids in getting the calcium and phosphorus where they can aid the bones and antler growth.
Vitamin E- boosts the deer immune system to fight off infections. It also helps the deer deal with the stressful periods (pre and post rut, gestation period and weather)

Minerals

Minerals are essential to antler, bone and teeth development. Minerals that are needed in large amounts are calcium,phosphorus,potassium,magnesium,sodium, and sulfur. If there aren’t enough of essential minerals your deer can have weak bones, teeth and small racks.

Calcium- is one of the minerals that help develop strong antler, bones and teeth
Phosphorus- develops the 2nd half of antlers, bones and teeth formation.
Potassium- aids in proper Ph balance, digestion and forms electrolytes for the deer.
Magnesium- makes sure the calcium is used properly in the deer's body also needed for strong bones and teeth. Helps turn food into energy
Sodium(salt)- carry's the trace mineral that helps with the absorption of amino acids also prevents dehydration
Sulfur- aids in digestion and helps develop the tendons, ligaments and cartilage

Trace Minerals

Trace minerals are needed in smaller amounts by deer. They are copper, iron, zinc, manganese, cobalt, iodine and selenium.

[HARG Hunter]

I found this recipe for a mineral lick on a website late last year.
This spring, we put this into action and created a mineral lick (About a 5 ft. circle) and it is already showing signs of success.
We've always had a lot of deer on our trail cams, but we've noticed significant advances in the antler growth.

Here's the recipse and description I found:

To begin, you will need to go to your local feed store and purchase three bags of ingredients Stock Salt, Trace Mineral, and Di-Calcium Phosphate. All can be purchased in "loose" or granulated forms in 50-pound bags. You will need two bags of trace mineral and one bag each of Di-Calcium Phosphate and Stock Salt. Make certain you keep all three ingredients separate until ready to use.

Once you've decided on a location to start your mineral lick, preferably a site where deer frequent already, you can begin to mix your ingredients in a large bucket, wheel barrow or trash can. Use a 3-pound coffee can to measure each of the ingredients.

Take two, 3-pound cans of Di-Calcium Phosphate, two 3-pound cans of stock salt, and four 3-pound cans of trace mineral and mix the ingredients together with a shovel or other garden tool. Make certain the ingredients are mixed well. This formula will give you 24-pounds of mineral to put into the ground the first time you make your lick. You can cut this recipe in half to freshen your mineral lick every three to six months.

At your predetermined site, dig a whole large enough to accommodate the 24-pounds of mineral mix you prepared plus the dirt you removed from the hole. Mix the mineral mix and the dirt together and fill the hole. This will take a little effort but will make your mineral lick much more effective than if you just dumped it into the hole and left the dirt out. Wait for a couple of good rains before you go back to check your new mineral lick.

It shouldn't take long before the deer begin utilizing your efforts. Before you know it they will be digging out the hole you made. Over time, I've had mineral licks large enough to drive and park an ATV in. Your four bags of ingredients will make 200-pounds of basic mineral supplement and the total cost of all three ingredients should be under $25 in most parts of Missouri.