Why do deer like salt licks

They know that deer typically begin using supplemental minerals around spring green-up and continue until early fall. Surely, the knee-deep depressions in the soil caused by repeated years of mineral supplementation are evidence of deer need, correct? Maybe, or maybe not. Growing antlers are composed mostly of proteins 80 percent by weight ; whereas hardened antlers contain roughly equal amounts of proteins and minerals. Studies have shown that calcium and phosphorus are by far the two most common minerals in deer antlers, comprising 30—35 percent of the mature antler by weight.

It seems you can walk into just about any store selling outdoor products or farm equipment and find some sort of new-aged deer attractant and minerals that are designed to grow big bucks fast. How whitetails utilize there minerals is wildly misinterpreted and can quickly lead to unsatisfactory results due to unreasonable expectations. This is why it is important to understand what these minerals actually do, and the proper ways to implement them into your management. All minerals are not created equal. A beneficial deer mineral product will provide the trace reserves that are useful to the whole herd.

Some of my earliest memories were putting out salt licks with my grandpa. I was so little back then I could barely see over the grass in the clearing where his deer fed. Those outings were one of my favorite things as a kid.

Forum Home. Forums New posts Search forums. What's new New posts. Search titles only.