One of the most discussed topics among deer hunters is food plots. Everyone loves to talk about how many food plots hunters should have, where to plant food plots, and which type of seed to plant in a food plot. Very few hunters discuss the importance of feeding deer minerals. Providing wild deer with minerals is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to help the deer in your area. Deer minerals like Lucky Buck contain minerals that deer need but don’t often eat on a regular basis. During the spring and summer, deer crave minerals. If you provide the minerals, the deer won’t need to travel to someone else’s property to get them. Below are a few tips to help you get started.
Starting a mineral site doesn’t require a lot of work. You just need to pull the lid off of a bucket of Lucky Buck and pour it on the ground. The key to success is knowing where to pour the mineral for maximum success.
If deer bed on your property, putting a mineral site near their bedding area is a great idea because they can eat the mineral when they are leaving and coming to their bed. The closer a mineral site is to their bedding area, the less they have to travel to get the minerals they need.
Another great place to put deer mineral is near a heavily traveled corridor between a food source and a bedding area. Many deer land managers place deer minerals at major intersections in the woods where a lot of deer frequent. A place where several runways come together is a great place to put deer mineral.
Putting deer mineral near a water source is another great idea. When deer are finished eating mineral, they typically take a drink at a nearby water source. If you have a water source on your property such as a pond or creek, you are giving deer multiple reasons to stay in the area.
The middle of a food source is another place to put deer mineral. Many hunters put a mineral site on the edge of food plots or right in the middle of food plots. When deer are done eating lush green grass or clover, they often crave salt and other nutrients that are found in Lucky Buck mineral.
Maybe there is a place on your property where deer have a year round scrape or licking branch. This is also a great place to put out a bucket of Lucky Buck. It is also important that hunters place a trail camera over the mineral site so they can monitor the deer that are visiting the mineral.
The question that is often asked is how many buckets of Lucky Buck should be put out on a piece of property during a year? It all depends on how much property a person owns and how many deer frequent the property on a regular basis. Each site should be replenished 4-6 times per year, depending on how often the deer eat the mineral.
Over the course of a year on a small 20-acre parcel, five or six buckets is enough. On a 100-acre lot, more mineral will be needed. Putting out deer mineral is the least expensive investment you can make to help improve the overall health of a deer herd. For about $100 a year, a mineral site will still have plenty of mineral in it to give deer the extra nutrition they need. It is important to note that deer need mineral all year, not just in the spring or fall.
Give us a call or visit a Lucky Buck retailer and get your mineral site started today.
FAQs
The best locations for mineral sites are food plots, bedding areas and near watering holes. When deer enter a food plot, they are usually seeking salt and minerals as well. By placing the mineral site just off a trail entering the food plot, you are creating a natural stopping point for them.
How to make a good mineral site for deer? ›
Another great place to put deer mineral is near a heavily traveled corridor between a food source and a bedding area. Many deer land managers place deer minerals at major intersections in the woods where a lot of deer frequent. A place where several runways come together is a great place to put deer mineral.
When should you establish a mineral site for deer? ›
Spring is the prime time to check out deer hunting grounds, set up mineral sites, and evaluate your herd's needs. By March, deer are emerging from winter hungry and bucks are ready to grow their next big rack.
How many mineral sites for deer per acre? ›
So how many mineral sites do you need on your property? A good rule of thumb is generally one mineral site per 100 acres. Depending on what part of the country you live in, an average home range of a buck is about 1000 acres and the average home range of a doe is about 600 acres.
Can you put out a mineral block for deer? ›
Early spring is a great time to put out salt or mineral blocks for deer.
Why are deer not using my mineral site? ›
Because mineral sites are established long before the rut, a time when most mature bucks aren't going to be on their feet during daylight hours, you have to find a location conducive to daytime movement. It does little good to place mineral sites in areas where deer do not feel comfortable moving during sun up.
How many mineral blocks do you need for a deer? ›
By putting in a mineral lick for every 25 to 75 acres of land, you'll have healthier bucks, does and fawns. And over time, the quality of antlers on bucks should also improve.
Do deer need mineral blocks in the winter? ›
And while spring green-up is when deer really amp up mineral use, providing minerals in winter is also worthwhile and elevates overall health.
Do deer eat dirt for minerals? ›
But sometimes deer eat dirt on purpose. There are several theories as to why deer consume soil. The most commonly proliferated theory is to replenish mineral deficits. Indeed, a whole industry has grown up around mineral licks for deer.
Is 40 acres enough to manage deer? ›
Can you realistically manage the complete life of a mature buck on a 40 acre parcel? No. But you can definitely manage for them! Although 40 acres is truly too small to attract, hold, and effectively manage a mature buck's entire world, that does not mean that you can't have the opportunity to shoot one every year.
Many deer biologists recommend granular salt mixes that contain a concentration of 16% calcium and 10% phosphorus, and trace elements including cobalt, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, and zinc that help growing deer.
How many deer will a 1 acre food plot support? ›
Using three deer per acre of food plot, determining how many acres of plots you need is simple once you've established your deer density goal. For instance, say you want to carry 100 deer on 1,000 acres (a deer per 10 acres). Just divide 100 by 3, and you'll find that 33 acres of food plots will meet your needs.
Do salt licks attract deer? ›
A Quality Salt Lick Attracts More Deer
Catching sight of a deer isn't just cool; it's a full stop. A pause. Low-quality salt licks—that don't attract deer—can drain your wallet.
How long do deer mineral blocks last? ›
I have used them for years. I buy them, and break them into halves. Put them on a stump every 4 months or so. Even after they are gone, deer will eat the stump.
Where to place a deer mineral block? ›
It's best to put your minerals out near bedding and feeding areas, locations where the deer will find and use it.
How do you start a mineral lick for deer? ›
Making a Lick
- Using a posthole digger, dig deep holes under the stump between the roots.
- Pour 25 pounds of granular salt or mineral mix in the holes.
- Cover with dirt.
- Save a little mix to pour on the top of the stump so deer can find it more quickly.
Calcium and phosphorous are also key minerals that contribute to deer's development during this period. They help bucks grow their antlers and does produce vitamin-rich milk for their fawns. For strong bone development, fawns also need adequate calcium intake.
One of the most discussed topics among deer hunters is food plots. Everyone loves to talk about how many food plots hunters should have, where to plant food plots, and which type of seed to plant in a food plot. Very few hunters discuss the importance of feeding deer minerals. Providing wild deer with minerals is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to help the deer in your area. Deer minerals like Lucky Buck contain minerals that deer need but don’t often eat on a regular basis. During the spring and summer, deer crave minerals. If you provide the minerals, the deer won’t need to travel to someone else’s property to get them. Below are a few tips to help you get started.