Deer Nutrition Notes

How to Use Mineral/Vitamin Supplements

By WHITETAIL INSTITUTE STAFF

If you normally read the nutrition column in Whitetail News, you have probably read about facets, concepts and reasons for using mineral/vitamins supplements. Just the other day, I received two phone calls from different customers wanting to know the best way to use a mineral/vitamin supplement. Not only did they want to know the “how to,” but they also wanted to know when, where and how much to use. It struck me that we have never written a column dedicated to the proper aspects of mineral/vitamin application. So, in this issue, I would like to run through the when, where and “how to” of creating a mineral/vitamin site.

At the risk of beating the proverbial dead horse, I would like to quickly summarize why we use mineral/vitamin supplements in a deer nutritional management program. First, all classes of deer require certain levels of minerals and vitamins throughout the year. During the spring and summer, mineral and vitamin needs spike dramatically. This is due to the physical condition of the deer. For example the antler growing process is occurring during the spring and summer, and bucks require huge amounts of mineral and vitamins to grow the bone (antler). Does also require high levels of mineral and vitamins at this time of year due to lactation. Remember, does milk is very high in nutrients. In fact, it is much more nutrient rich than cows’ milk. The problem is that the natural supply of many critical minerals is low due to depletion of minerals in the soil as well as the fact that many soils just have a naturally low level of minerals. Without mineral/vitamin supplementation, this low level of natural mineral causes decreased antler growth and decreased milk production.

OK, so we know we need to supplement minerals and vitamins, but when do we need to supplement them? Well the answer is simple yet confusing. The answer is supplementation of minerals and vitamins is needed year around. You may say, “Matt, you just said that minerals and vitamins are needed during the spring and summer.” This statement is true. Minerals and vitamins are needed during the spring and summer. But, they are also needed in the fall and winter. The difference is how high a level of minerals and vitamins are needed.

To explain, let’s take a look at the Cutting Edge line of products. Cutting Edge products are called nutritional supplements because they contain many types of nutrients – minerals, vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, etc. The three different Cutting Edge products all contain mineral and vitamins just in different amounts. For instance, Cutting Edge Sustain and Initiate contain minerals and vitamins, but because they are used during the fall and winter, they contain a lower level of minerals and vitamins because the requirement for these nutrients is not as high during these times of the year. However, Cutting Edge Optimize, which is used during the spring and summer, contains huge amounts of minerals and vitamins because, as we stated before, huge amounts of minerals and vitamins are needed during spring and summer. Likewise, Imperial 30-06 and 30-06 Plus Protein contain high amounts of minerals and vitamins and should be used during the spring and summer months. So in actuality, there are three different products that can be very effective during the spring and summer months; Imperial 30-06, 30-06 Plus Protein and Cutting Optimize.

So which one should you use? Each product contains the vital minerals and vitamins needed during the spring and summer so any of the three are very effective. Each product also uses a different type of attraction. Through our research, we have found that each product is effective but in some cases one will be more attractive in a specific area and a different one will be more attractive in another area. You will not go wrong by using any one of the three, but one option is to try all three and let your deer determine which one the prefer the most. The Whitetail Institute offers special packages that offer you a chance to try all three and do it inexpensively.

Now that we know which product to use at which time of year, we now need to know where to set up the sites. To begin, think about the fact that the most vulnerable time of a deer’s life is when it is eating. The deer’s head is down and its chewing or moving it’s mouth, which makes it tough for the deer to see and hear. This is why deer seem so nervous when they are feeding. Realizing this, you want to create your mineral/vitamin sites in areas where the deer will feel the most comfortable and, therefore, will be more likely to visit the site. This means that your sites should be located in cover. We typically recommend finding a well-used trail or crossing of two trails and then backing 6 to 10 feet off the trail into cover to create your site.

I know there may be some of you that have a well used site out the middle of an open area, but as a rule of thumb, the majority of the most well-used sites are found in cover. Also, we recommend trying several locations or sites. This is especially true when you are first developing sites. Deer are funny creatures. They tend to prefer certain areas over another for mineral/vitamin sites. For example, we have tested identical products in two separate areas, which are no more than 50 yards apart. One site is frequently used and the other site may get used much less, even though it is exactly the same product. The deer simply prefer the area more frequently used. Why is this? Frankly, I don’t know exactly. I think it is a combination of things including soil type and cover. So in order to identify the best areas, try several locations, using 5 to10 pounds in each location. After you have identified the most frequently used sites, abandon the lesser-used sites and concentrate on the ones that are used the most. 

This brings me to how many sites should you have. Our rule of thumb is one site per every 100-acre (or smaller) parcel. This number is not set in stone. More deer equal more sites. Several major travel routes can also lead to more sites. Experiment with mineral sites and adjust the number up or down based on activity. Typically, 20 pounds should last six to eight weeks per site. If you are using more than that, you need additional sites.

Finally, how do you create a mineral/vitamin site? First, as we said above, find a well used trail or crossing of two trails. Back off of the trail six to 10 feet into cover. With a hand rake, clear a two- to three-foot diameter circle raking back the top two or three inches of soil. Apply 3/4 of the total amount you are going to place in the site and lightly rake with the dirt. Do not cover it up with the dirt, merely lightly rake with the soil. Apply the remainder of the mineral/vitamin on top and walk away. Then, replenish as needed. It is that simple. When using Cutting Edge Sustain and Initiate, do not mix with soil. Simply pour the product on top of the ground. It is important to note that you need to maintain and replenish sites when needed. Deer are habit forming and will become accustom to visiting the site but only if there is product there for them to consume.

As you can see, developing mineral/vitamin sites is not difficult. The benefits, however, can be extraordinary.