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Minerals and deer- helpful or not

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,739
274
North Carolina
I've done a ton of research on minerals and have formed my own opinion, one I feel is very informed. My opinion is that minerals help does and herd health more than antler growth. There is a ton of research on cattle that outlines the positive impacts of mineral supplementation. The research on whitetails is less substantial. However they are both ruminants and have similar digestive processes, so it is reasonable to assume certain comparisons are safe to make. Minerals supplementation has been proven to improve protein retention in the milk of dairy cattle. Milk richer in protein makes for healthier calves and healthier calves can grow bigger, stronger, faster. My experience in 9 years of mineral supplementation on our farm is that fawn weight (as estimated from pictures) has increased. I truly believe our does are healthier because they have access to minerals (much like we are when we have a proper diet) and in turn, they produce healthier fawns.

As for buck and big racks, I do not believe minerals will take a 140 to a 160. For a buck to grow his biggest rack he needs genetics, age and nutrition in that order. Mineral supplementation can very well add a few inches of antler over the life of a buck, but it will not make a genetically inferior or unhealthy deer grow a much larger rack. By filling the gap in his diet, minerals can help him maintain a healthy diet and over the course of his life, it will help him maximize skeletal development which ultimately helps him focus on growing his best rack. A buck born to a healthy doe who has milk richer in protein thanks to minerals, gets the full benefit of mineral supplementation from birth to death.

Minerals are no wonder substance, but are often marketed as such. Nor are they worthless. Be realistic about their place in the scheme of things and you won't be disappointed.


That there is an edumakated redneck.... Great post Jesse.....
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Would you believe me if I said I was mislead? Lol. I'm 99% positive that at the Summit the guy said that it could be transmitted through saliva. Or is another one possibly transmitted through saliva?
 

Urbanhunter

Junior Member
That's correct. EHD is Midge's and die around water.

CWD: it is thought to be spread by many things saliva being one possible. It can also be in the soil.. But you have to wonder if the high concentrate of salt would kill it.
 

Mooosie

Junior Member
162
32
I had a mineral lick used up and the pigs and deer then they dug up the ground where it used to be
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
Just because a deer has access to amble browse that should supply all vital nutrients and minerals does not mean said deer is getting that supply. It should be rare that we first world humans lack in vitamins and minerals given the plethora of food we have available. However most of the populace is deficient in something.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
I provide salt for my deer in hopes that they get high blood pressure and can't run as far. Come November I crush up Viagra for them to make for some awesome rutting action.
 

Urbanhunter

Junior Member
IMG_20141119_180516_119.jpg
 

finelyshedded

You know what!!!
Supporting Member
31,855
260
SW Ohio
I wonder what supplements put James Jordons 206" typical back in 1913 and the Ohio Hole in the Horns 328" on non-typical inches back around 1940 into the record books?

Genes in both the doe and buck go a loooooong way before mineral supplements do one damn thing, IMO.
 
Last edited:

at1010

*Supporting Member*
4,943
139
I wonder what supplements put James Jordons 206" typical back in 1913 and the Ohio Hole in the Horns 328" on non-typical inches back around 1940 into the record books?

Genes in both the doe and buck go a loooooong way before mineral supplements do one damn thing, IMO.

aint that the truth!