Mineral sights good or no good?

A salt lick/block is not even in the same category of Monsterraxx or other MINERAL supplements (true ones that is). That's like saying "I find it odd how vegetables are hit or miss for some kids but I've never heard anyone say their kids didn't hit candy?"

I mean really....

 

^^ this is great! Best comparison I've ever heard!:D

 

I'm still on the fence on deer eating dirt. Will the consumption of dirt over time wear teeth prematurely or cause tooth problems. I picture deer chewing their cud grinding dirt day after day. Nutrition wise, I'm sure it helps, but not to the degree some wish to believe.

 

Very Well Stated!!!

 

Grape cool aid over anything

 

I would think that dirt is easier to chew than dried corn kernels

 

Oh yeah. Acorns even more so. All my images are deer licking the dirt not chomping on it. But yeah I would strongly think acorns, dried corn or other nuts are harder on teeth than some small dirt granules.

 

I will put out mineral licks and Trophy Rocks in the spring time and they do tend to get hammered by the deer. I have gone through a couple of them this year, however, once the calendar hits July 1st, it all salt blocks for me. I have had too much luck with them over the years. Now I haven't gotten too many pictures of bucks using them in late Oct/early Nov or seen bucks, however, I have seen tons of does come in and lick on them time and time again. That time of year.......where the pretty ladies are hanging out, Mr Buck is usually going to come around and get a whiff. Worked for me so far, so I'll stick with it.

 

I don't use them due to the enhanced probability of spreading disease throughout the heard. I used to put out mineral blocks and salt licks to get a herd inventory but with EHD and CWD making rounds, I opted not to last year and this year.

 

if you don't think or are unsure if mineral site are worth the time & money, try it for a year with a camera on the site & then make an educated decision of your own. Imo its totally worth it.

 

I am a Pastor, stay at home dad of 4, vegetable grower, small business owner, land manager, and hunter, I harvested my first deer 23 years ago sitting on my daddy's lap with a 440 yard head shot using a .22 .250! (that parts no joke! One of my best shots ever, watched her fall over in the scope!) Right now in India if you bring up my name they call me "The great whitetail GURU!" All that being said so humbly.......! lol

You guys should lay of nutritionist, (yes its slightly annoying that he advertises something about his work with every post. However he seems to be a wealth of knowledge!) A wise leader once told me, "eat the meat, throw away the bones!"

As for Minerals, pump them to those deer! I mix my own mix, I use 3 parts goat mineral, 2 parts trace mineral salt, 1 part dried molasses. The deer love it! here are links for all of them. I get them at tsc
Manna Pro® Goat Mineral? Supplement, 8 lb. - Tractor Supply Co.
NutriSource Mor-M-Lass Livestock Feed Supplement, 50 lb - Tractor Supply Co.
American Stockman Big 6® Trace Mineral Salt, 50 lb. - Tractor Supply Co.

Oh and one more thing I forgot to add to my credentials, TV shows were in our area last summer looking for Big foot, it because he had moved into the area to eat my mineral mix I 100 percent certain, though one can never really prove it!

blessings!

 

How much do the people in India know about whitetails?

 

I hear ya bud ^^ I just have an issue with people who believe they know it all and make sure to deliver that message. I have no doubt the guys intelligent, that can be gathered just from his posts...and I bet a very acute and smart person when it comes to minerals and deer probably for that matter. However, all I saw was blanket statements no ballpark figures for this magic balance of everything...he mentions the need for salt, and if you have too little you won't get it hit. I know Monsterraxx is pimped on here a lot but with good reasoning...

...the stuff is extremely low in salt compared to other "mineral" supplements yet still gets hammered by more than it doesn't. I honestly would love to know a salt percentage range that nutritionist believes is ideal.

 

The same amount as Trophy Rock people know about actual minerals outside of salt :D

 

Because salt basically does your deer no good. They need a certain amount of salt, but they don't need that much. All the intake of salt outside of their bodies needs is really just a waste to the deer. No doubt it will attract deer and when you put salt side by side with mineral, they will choose the salt. It just doesn't help them in any way. Give them only the option of a low salt mineral and they will eat the mineral with the salt. This benefits the deer by using salt as a way to get the minerals into the deer.

 

you know that was a joke! I was just trying to lay out the 37 most irrelevant credentials that made me feel like my position was important! lol after all what's life with out humor!

 

EHD is not transmittable from deer to deer. CWD is another story. If you are in a CWD are, it is highly recommended not to put out mineral or bait.