Dummies Guide to Minerals
By Mike Lambeth
From the start I must admit as a deer hunter, I have been guilty of being the biggest “dummy” of all, most of the time. It’s true: I’ve learned most of what I’ve learned by trial and error – with a lot of error, to boot. However, with all the research available on growing a quality deer herd, even dummies like me, can learn something new almost every day!
Whitetail hunters today are without excuse with all that has been written on growing bigger bucks, and increasing the vitality of their local deer herds. It seems almost every deer hunting publication is inundated with articles on deer nutrition. To biologists and agronomists alike much of this technical data is understandable, but to the novice this stuff can cause brain overload. With that said, this article is intended to be a layman’s guide to understanding the use of minerals. Read on and hopefully I can educate you on the “how’s” and “why’s” of mineral use.
Do Deer Really Need More Minerals?
In most locales in the US, whitetail deer have a variety of food sources readily available to them. With the bulk of a deer’s diet coming from soil grown vegetation, deer receive an ample amount of minerals most of the time. However, repetitive use of soil by farming practices can deplete the ground of the necessary nutrients and minerals that it once contained. In the process white-tailed deer can sometimes suffer mineral and nutritional deficiencies. Though the food produced is palatable and nutritious, it is devoid of some necessary mineral needed for optimum growth in whitetails.
Scientific studies have shown that during certain periods of the year whitetails need more minerals. Bucks for instance require more minerals in spring when their racks began to grow. It is during this important growth period that a buck’s rack needs all of the bone-building minerals it can get.
I used to be skeptical about the use of minerals reasoning that the over-priced vitamins were useless, until I started seeing some bona fide results - the bucks I was hunting were exhibiting better antler growth than ever before.
Does require more minerals in the spring and summer months when they have fawns. Due to a sodium deficiency most deer crave salt in the summer time, since their forage has a higher water and potassium content.
Minerals and Antler Growth
Whitetail antlers are comprised of roughly 80 percent protein during their velvet stage of growth. This ratio changes dramatically when bucks reach their hard horn stage, with the ratio of protein to minerals roughly being the same.
Calcium and phosphorus are two vital minerals that are essential in antler growth and without them in proper percentages; antler growth at best is sub-standard.
According to Quality Deer Management Association’s Brian Murphy, researchers at the University of Georgia found that a buck’s antlers are made up largely of 19 percent calcium, 10 percent phosphorus, 1 percent magnesium, and 0.5 percent sodium. In lesser amounts researchers also found potassium, barium, aluminum, zinc, iron, strontium, and zinc.
New For 2009 Moultrie Introduces Minerals
In large part due to their commitment to help hunters “Grow the Hunt,” Moultrie has introduced some cutting edge deer minerals and supplements for 2009. Not only do these minerals attract whitetails to your property, but they cause them to return and in the process grow bigger bodies and have increased antler production.
Moultrie has formulated Trophy Maker Spring mineral mix for meeting the nutritional requirements of deer in the spring and summer months. This mixture has a sweet berry flavor that attracts deer and keeps them coming back for more. In the process, they receive critical amounts of calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and chelated minerals, necessary to sustain them during this all-important growth phase.
For the next phase of growth, Moultrie introduces Trophy Maker Fall that attracts deer with the flavor and aroma of one of their favorite foods – acorns. This important fall blend nourishes the deer during the rut and post rut periods, where studies show that most deer have mineral deficiencies.
For hunters wanting to attract deer to their hunting spots while supplying them with a nutritious mineral lick, Moultrie introduces Trophy Maker Berry-Flavored liquid. This mixture is poured out on the dirt and serves as a bait station to lure in the area’s deer. The strong berry flavoring is irresistible to deer, while providing them with the most digestible and beneficial sources of the chealated trace minerals they need.
Also in Moultrie’s liquid mineral line is their Trophy Maker Molasses. This lure has been a favorite attractant for serious deer hunters for ages, and now comes in a convenient one-gallon bottle mixed and ready to pour out near your treestand. Providing a balanced supply of minerals and vitamins, this mixture is unbeatable.
For hunters wanting the convenience of using mineral blocks, Moultrie has introducing three great blocks for 2009 – Acorn Flavored, Apple Flavored, and Berry Flavored. These 4-pound blocks are loaded with all the calcium, phosphorus, and chealated minerals needed to ensure the overall vitality of the deer where you hunt. These blocks are easy to transport and can be conveniently placed anywhere that deer frequent. Best of all, as a wildlife manager you get the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to insure the vitality of your herd for the years to come.
Finally
In these days of economic uncertainty, hunters must be good stewards of their time and resources. It pays to use products that have been scientifically formulated to produce results, benefiting to both sportsmen and conservationists. Moultrie’s products are made with you in mind to help you maximize your deer management efforts. It’s part of their on going commitment to help you “Grow the Hunt.”