Keeping Your Deer Healthy with Mineral Supplements and Nutrient Attractants
***Always check local and state regulations before utilizing deer feed/attractant/mineral supplements.***
The purpose of thoughtful mineral use is to supplement the nutrients your deer need to stay healthy when their environment does not supply it. Variations in weather patterns, food availability, and soil health can all have significant impacts on the health of your deer herd each season. The natural behavior of deer, such as rutting in the Fall and recovery in the Spring, cause deer to require specific nutrients at various points of the year. If your hunting habitat does not meet the needs of the herd throughout the year, the overall health, longevity, and growth of your population can be restricted.
The Plan:
Mapping out a mineral plan for your property lays down the groundwork for a successful deer health management plan. A good thing to remember about mineral site planning is that it is a very family friendly endeavor, meaning it is a great way to introduce young children and/or your spouse to deer management.
As a starting point, and as a general rule, you want to establish one* mineral site for every 40-100 acres of land. I know that seems like a broad range, but prudence is needed when determining frequency – deer density, topography, climate, and soil health are all contributing factors. If your land is full of steep climbs, has poor soil health, is in a climate with harsh winters, and contains a dense deer population, then a higher frequence of mineral sites would be required to optimize health and growth. If you’re wondering why there was an asterisk by the “one” in the beginning of this paragraph it is because a single mineral site can technically refer to two individual piles. More on that in a bit.
A good size for your standard mineral pile would be in the region of 4’ x 4’ of cleared out ground covered in 5lbs to 10lbs (based on deer density and use) of mineral on a monthly basis. If you are utilizing block style nutrition, such as the Domain Stockpile XL Block, then finding a felled tree or old stump to place the block would be ideal.
Placement of your mineral sites is another key aspect of deer health and nutrition. Keeping your piles/blocks in high traffic locations will allow your deer herd to feed without significantly altering their usual movements and patterns. Doe, fawns, and young buck will greatly benefit from this type of placement. Now, remember above when I talked about the asterisk? Mature and intelligent buck are the reason that asterisk exists. They might be wary of utilizing high traffic areas to access high use mineral sites for fear of being the victim of a doe or young buck’s mistake. A secondary mineral pile can be of use, in thicker and more distant travel corridors, that will allow mature buck to feel comfortable and safe while gaining the necessary nutrients. Both of these options provide opportunity for trail camera placement, but stay mindful not to disturb the area too much in either instance.
Seasonal Mineral Requirements:
Here is a quick overview of the general whitetail nutrition requirements for each season:
- Fall: Easily digestible and high-energy minerals.
- Winter: The kitchen sink – anything and everything to promote overall health/longevity.
- Spring: Protein to promote fetal development, milk production, and recovery from Winter.
- Summer: Wide range of fresh nutrients to promote body/antler growth.
For those in the hunting space, Fall is primetime for deer activity and interest. Hunting seasons coincide with the pre-rut, rut, and post-rut for the ultimate period of deer-hunter involvement. When deer are in the action-packed Fall season, you want to focus on easily digestible, high-energy supplements that keep them healthy and keep them going. Domain’s Bad Habit is a great example of an energy-rich mineral source that is perfect for rut consumption. The high fat content provides the “right here, right now” energy while the protein builds a great foundation for lasting health through the colder months post-rut.
When the rut (and weather) cools down in the Winter months, the primary goal of mineral sites is to keep the deer alive. Packing mineral sites with a range of nutrients that the deer need to stay strong and resilient is a must. A recommended setup could look like a Stockpile XL Block with Bad Habit poured over it, giving the deer a range of minerals and nutrients to bolster their system through the grueling cold.
Spring is a key season when it comes to herd health. Deer that survived through the Winter are looking to replenish the protein that was lost over the Fall and Winter months. The proper nutrient supply is essential for the development of fawns and the milk production of mothers, as well as the general recovery from the cold. In areas where soil health and foliage growth is lacking, mineral supplements can be all the difference. Products such as Recharge and Bad Habit will help return the deer to a generally healthy state while strengthening immune health and early antler growth.
The Summer is when strict guidance can be tossed to the side. This is when deer are experiencing the start of their heavy bulk and comfortable growth. All mineral sites should be focused on a wide range of minerals focused on pure body growth and antler development. A healthy, and constantly refreshed, mix of Stockpile, Bad Habit, Recharge, and of course corn will do wonders for the health and overall strength of your deer population.
A Few Things to Remember:
Always check the salt content of your minerals and attractants. Some can have upwards of 60%, 70% and even 80% salt content. This minimizes the effectiveness of the health benefits and is a cost-saving technique. All products showcased in this article have a range of 27% to 32% salt content – the ideal percentage range for truly health-conscious and health-focused supplements.
Make sure your deer get enough calcium and phosphorus in their diet. These are vital minerals for deer that they would naturally get from their preferred food sources. If soil health or plant growth is hindered or lacking, the phosphorus and calcium levels can severely falter and leave your deer without these required nutrients. Recharge is specially designed to provide these.
Make a plan for your mineral sites. As I stated early in this article, a good feeding and supplement plan is the groundwork for deer health management. Don’t go in blind – you want to make the most of your efforts, both for the health and longevity of the deer herd and for ultimate success in your hunting endeavors.
Don't forget trail cameras. As much as mineral and nutrient supplements are focused on deer health, they are also feeding attractants for your deer, most likely on your hunting property. Don't forget to make the most of the exposure that nutrient attractants can bring to the deer hiding on your land.