wis_bow_huntr

My father in law and I are in the process of doing an experiment with cheapCo-Op livestock Mineraland Expensive Store/Proshop Deer Mineral. Such as Black Magic. We placed 2 smallcoffee cans of each in 2 different locations that we know the deer are traveling through. We placed one of each in both spots. Side by side about 1 foot apart.We checked it yesterday and got some results that impressed us. The deer never touched the Deer mineral. But the completelycleaned upthe livestock mineral. Why pay more for a mineral at walmart or another store when you can get a 50lb back of livestock mineral for 1/2 the cost from your local co-op. I will be placing my cam out soon and hoping to get some good results over this mineral lick.

TROPHYHUNTER25

if all you want to do is attract deer then thats fine but livestock minneral is developed for livestock not deer. they are very diffrent. you could acually hurt the deer if they get to much of the wrong minnerals thats why the home mad minneral licks i wouldn't use unless you know the exact amount of what vitamins and minerals to add

stikbow26

Exactly you can do more damage than good with live stock minerals!! Walt

jmbuckhunter

They probably like it because it has more salt. Salt does nothing for the health of your deer, they just like the taste.

Curtis32

I will have to agree with the others. The deer like the higher salt levels in the cattle mineral. The salt itself may not harm them, but something like the copper levels will. I know in the cattle minerals that we use on our ranch the copper is about 2700 ppm. The copper level in the deer mineral is usually somewhere between 70-100 ppm depending on what brand. Look at your phosphorous, selenium, and calcium levels. Also be aware that some stores will sell different cattle minerals at different times of the year to meet with the calving season of the farmers and ranchers, cattle herds. Just something to think about.

IL-Cornfed

As mentioned, pay attention to the ingrediants that you're giving your local deer. One must be careful to deliver minerals in the proper dosage as the others have mentioned.

Here is one recipe that's passed along and shared by many serious QDM'ers. It will save you a ton of money compared to the commercial blends as well. Good luck

WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE
Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. for about $23.00
1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag.
2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loose kind without the medications.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $5.00 you need two bags.
1 part Stock salt, ice cream salt.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $2.00 you need one bag.
Directions:
-Use a 3 pound or similar size coffee can to use as your measure for each part of the mix.
-Mix all together well but not until read to use, keep ingredients separate until ready to put to use.
-Dig or tear up a circle in the soil about 36 inches wide and about 6 inches deep.
-Mix your mineral mixture with the soil.
Maintenance:
-Replenish in 6 months with fresh supply of, mineral and then each year there after.

MichaelHunsucker

I have heard that the recipe that IL-Cornfed posted is great but deer, particularly lactating does need more than just salt and calcium. They actually need a wide array of vitamins to go along with the salt. It has been proven that bucks and does only need the salt for a few months and as the summer goes on, they need more vitamins, like B vitamins, selenium, magnesium, iron, etc. to maintain their health. Does need the salt while they are lactating but when the fawns are born, they need more of the vitamins. Bucks also need them too to maximize antler growth. Putting out salt now would be beneficial but July through August, I would add the minerals and vitamins.