If you’re looking for a natural way to increase your deer’s antler growth, homemade deer minerals may be the answer. These products can be mixed with water or placed in a tree stump. But they’re bitter on their own, so you need to add more salt to the mix. And make sure you locate your mineral site near a water source, because deer will need to drink after they’ve eaten minerals. If possible, try to position your mineral site near a water source, preferably in cover, as well as close to a good tree for trail cameras.
Ingredients
One of the easiest ways to lure deer to your property is to place a mineral lick. Typically, this attractant comes in the form of straight salt. But if you want to spice it up, you can add a dash of any general-purpose mineral. While this will help them find you more quickly, it will also add flavor. Since deer tend to like salt, placing a mineral lick in a location where there is water is the best way to attract them.
To make a homemade deer mineral lick, gather ingredients for the mix. You can use granular minerals or dicalcium phosphate, which can be found at a feed store. A few drops of a natural attractant, such as rice bran, apple extract, or salt, can also be added to your deer mineral. You can also use this as a trail cam to monitor the growth of your deer’s antlers.
Methods
One method for making your own mineral blocks is to mix them with soil. The best time to put out these mineral blocks is in February/March/April. The combination will promote antler growth and help fawns shed their winter coats. Make sure you don’t place too many deer mineral blocks at a time, but you should put out one lick for every 40 acres of land.
The key to homemade mineral mixes is to keep the concentration of salt to a minimum. Using a mineral mixture that has less than 50 percent salt will not attract deer. It also has a lower taste, so deer will return for more. However, deer are not attracted to a high-salt solution and will not consume it. If you plan to use a mineral mix for deer, you may need to increase the concentration of salt over time.
Cost
Many home deer mineral lick recipes use a 2:1 ratio of dicalcium phosphate to salt. These two ingredients are bitter, so you may want to add some salt to the lick. The minerals are not as attractive to deer, but they are a necessity for their body. This is especially true of dried molasses, which deer love. You can purchase the ingredients in many stores and mix them together yourself.
The amount of mineral soil used for antler growth will depend on how many deer will visit the site. If the mineral soil is buried in the ground, you may need to add more salt to it. You should place a mineral site close to a source of water, as deer will need water after ingesting the minerals. You can also locate these sites near good trees for trail cameras.
Efficacy
Although many people assume that any mineral will grow trophy bucks, most deer are not that fortunate. It takes food, shelter, and time to reach the antler growth stage. There are several different ways to supplement a deer’s diet with vitamins, minerals, and chelated trace elements. Using these products is not a guaranteed way to increase antler growth, but they do have several benefits that can make your deer’s life more enjoyable and successful.
Homemade deer mineral supplements work best near waterholes and food plots. Minerals attract deer, and they seek them out when they enter these areas. If you’re trying to lure deer, place slow-releasing mineral blocks near bedding areas and water sources in the summer. If you don’t see any deer activity near the mineral sight, try placing it near water sources and a good tree for trail cameras.