Explained: The 6 Best Mineral Blocks For Deer-Licks
Deer and other animals, like people, require salt and a particular quantity of minerals in their meals. To develop properly and retain excellent health, they must consume the appropriate amount of nutrients with their meals. For a taste of sodium, deer would go tremendous distances.
There are times when minerals are in short supply in the environment. As hunters, we take pride in keeping game animal herds healthy and increasing. We attempt to assist them as much as possible when it is essential. Mineral or salt blocks come in handy in this situation. They help with deer feeding, herd expansion, and scouting and keeping track of the area’s general population.
We’ve found a handful that works especially well, and we’ve included some tips to help you get the most out of your mineral blocks.
TOP 6 Best Mineral Blocks For Deer
1. Whitetail Institute Mineral Block (30-06)
This supplement offers critical vitamins and minerals in the right forms and ratios for buck antler development, doe pregnancy, and lactation.
Vitamins A, D, and E and vital macro and trace minerals are all included in the 30-06 Mineral Block. It’s packed with scent and taste attractants and enhancers that encourage Deer to stay for longer periods. What’s particularly appealing about this block is that, while it may disintegrate slightly in heavy rain or snow, it still stands out for how long it lasts and how well it resists the weather. It also doesn’t appear to attract ants or other insects.
2. RIDLEY Deer Monster Block
RIDLEY’s Monster Deer Block is excellent at catching Deer’s attention. It contains many vitamins and minerals, which help maintain Deer healthy and energetic. The nutritional content of this mineral block is designed to offer just enough supplement doses to bucks and does.
Minerals, proteins, and vitamins make up the Monster Deer Block, all of which are extremely beneficial for Deer.
While animal lovers may not consider this a negative, if you buy it solely for the Deer, Deer has more competition, and the block does not appear to last as long.
The advantage of this block is that it is quite inexpensive compared to many other goods available.
3. Apple Mineral Evolved Buck Licker
Buck Licker Apple Mineral is one of Evolved’s best mineral blocks.
This block appears to be extremely successful on whitetail deer, to the point where they will wear a hole in it.
Unfortunately, blacktails do not appear to be affected in the same way.
The mineral block contains calcium and phosphorus, which the Deer will require when growing new antlers in the spring.
The added aroma of apples is a great attractant, attracting them in from all directions. However, if you place it close to your house, it may also attract certain animals you don’t want, such as bears and coons.
Although they claim that it saturates the soil, this may or may not be the case. However, this is not suggested for manicured gardens because Deer will dig for minerals and soon destroy a beautiful landscape.
4. Mineral Block Antler King Apple Burst
The Apple Burst Mineral Block from Antler King results from 30 years of science and study into trophy buck growth.
They’ve been meticulously designed to offer Deer exactly what they want when they want it. There will be a lot of consumption between February and September when antler growth occurs, and fawns are nursing on does.
The strong apple flavor and scent would attract Deer. SPECIAL trace minerals for antler and body strength. A, E, and D vitamins are included.
Apple Burst Mineral Block is an apple-flavored deer mineral supplemented with numerous trace minerals for antler growth and overall health.
5. Deer Mineral Block by Ani Logics Outdoors
Like most mineral blocks for Deer, this Ani Logic mineral block contains various minerals and vitamins.
However, we discovered that it held up exceptionally well in the rain with this one.
Other mineral blocks tend to break down in the rain (some are engineered to), but this one mineral block remains firm in all weather situations, including rain and snow.
This block’s disadvantage is that it does not appear as appealing to Deer as some of the other blocks on the list.
For some reason, deer don’t seem to enjoy this block as much as squirrels or rabbits do—which isn’t an issue for squirrels or rabbits, who appear to enjoy it just as much as Deer.
6. Sugar Beet Crush by Wildgame Innovations
These mineral blocks for Deer are fantastic. Its compact size makes it simple to transport to any of your favorite locations.
But it’s the flavor that I like about this mineral block. It seems to be a hit with the Deer, whatever it is about this beet flavor.
When the weather starts to turn, we find that this lick works best later in the year.
We’d like to see a means to increase the block’s durability. It is prone to breaking and crumbling.
Do Deer Prefer Mineral Blocks Or Salt Licks?
Mineral requirements, like nutritional/calorie requirements, change throughout the year. Spring and summer are the most critical seasons of the year for Deer to obtain enough minerals in their system, while fall and winter are less important.
In the spring and summer, deer prefer to eat lush green foliage with high water content.
Deer needs to keep their minerals and salt levels in check when consuming too much water. As a result, many hunters see the link between Deer and salt and start buying cattle salt blocks for Deer.
A large proportion of salt is present in the majority of mineral blocks. It’s because Deer are drawn to it, and it’s a necessary mineral for their health. Unlike pure salt licks, Mineral blocks also contain other vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy herd.
Mineral blocks for Deer have another advantage over pure salt licks: they can be utilized over a longer period. Deer desire salt the most in the spring and summer when water and other minerals are plentiful, but they don’t require it as much in the fall. Mineral blocks can be sweetened to attract Deer all year, unlike pure salt licks.
How Do You Pick Mineral Blocks For Your Deer?
In their natural habitat, deer should locate everything they require. On the other hand, Deer cannot receive an appropriate mineral balance due to soil quality, weather circumstances, or other factors. It can affect the immune system and lead to poor reproductive outcomes.
Mineral blocks for Deer can offer Deer and other animals the nutrients and minerals they require. To have a pleasant hunting trip or a wonderful shot on your cam track, it must also be capable of successfully attracting them.
When purchasing a mineral/salt lick, a few things to keep in mind.
Nutrition
To be healthy and develop to their greatest capacity, deer require the correct amount of minerals and nutritious components. It can also aid physical development when paired with protein. If you can add another spice to keep them coming back for more, that would be a plus.
Efficacy
Some mineral licks for Deer contain aromas that animals find particularly enticing. It would be easier and faster to persuade them in this manner. The smell should also be long-lasting and aromatic, even if exposed to the environment for a longer period.
Durability
You’ll have to wait a long time before your mineral block is successful in attracting a deer. As a result, the deer attractant you employ should stand the test of time while appealing to the Deer.
Cost
Choose a product that is within your budget. You don’t need to invest a lot of money because many of the blocks available are highly effective despite their low price.
Mineral Blocks for Deer: Where Do You Store Them?
What is the best place to store deer mineral supplements?
Food plots, bedding fields, and spaces near water holes are the most apparent and helpful sites.
Deer will typically seek salt and minerals as they approach food plots to feed; thus, placing a mineral site just off a trail going into the food plot will serve as a natural rest stop for them.
In the same way, installing a slow-releasing mineral block near or within a summer bedding place will allow Deer to get enough minerals throughout the day without having to refill it as often in the summer.
Finally, combining water holes with mineral sites can revolutionize the game. After taking salt and minerals, deer may seek water and vice versa.
Deer Mineral Blocks Made at Home
There are a few possibilities for DIY enthusiasts who want to manufacture their mineral blocks for Deer.
We’ve developed something basic after scouring the internet for Deer’s best mineral block recipe that won’t leave you scrambling for ingredients. You can get them all from your local feed store.
- Dicalcium Phosphate, 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Farmers use it as a feed ingredient for farm animals.
- Trace mineral salt, 20 kilograms (44 pounds). You want to use it to aid digestion and growth.
- Ten kilograms (22 pounds) of salt Because it offers the purest taste, kosher salt can be the best choice.
If you have all the components, the next step is to combine them in a trough.
Dig a hole around 20 cm (8 inches) deep in your preferred mineral sight and pour some of the mixtures in. Pour it in and around an old tree stump as well.
Because it’s all powders, this lick won’t have the consistency of a block, but it’ll still give enough nutrients for Deer. It won’t be as appealing as mineral blocks purchased at a store, but if you arrange your DIY product in the right spots, you’ll have a good chance of success.
Is Putting Mineral Blocks Out For Deer Illegal?
Make sure you’re allowed to distribute vitamins to improve herd nutrition in your state before you start.
It is unlawful in several places to give minerals to Deer at any time of the year. Providing a mineral lick to Deer is permissible in some jurisdictions, but you can’t hunt there until the attractant has worn off and a specific length of time has passed.
The government is concerned about the spread of dangerous diseases like CWD; thus, these rules are in place in most states.
Please double-check your state’s hunting restrictions or speak with a conservation officer to ensure the intricacies. You don’t want a minor miscommunication to endanger your hunting prospects in the future.
Conclusion
There are many different mineral blocks and salt licks to pick from on the market. You must ensure that you make wise decisions.
We hope that our research will assist you in determining which mineral block best meets your needs and locate a suitable location to place it for the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Mineral Blocks for Deer-Licks
The same pine stump three months after becoming a salt lick. 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 grow Deer.
Deer love and lick these rocks year-round and seek the nutrients they provide during every life phase. Advantages: 60+ balanced trace minerals for optimum health. Nutrients come in a form that Deer find in the wild.
White-tailed Deer crave salt and other minerals. That’s why many hunters use mineral blocks, licks, and other mineral-based attractants as part of their hunting plans. Many manufacturers make such products specifically for hunters.
Minerals like BioRock or Full Draw Block are always good for Deer, but they are most active around minerals in late winter through the beginning of spring when they try to put on weight and recover from the winter. Late summer is also a great time for minerals as the bucks finish their racks.
Sulfur helps animals digest their food. It is also important in developing tendons and cartilage. Trophy Rock also provides micro minerals in a naturally balanced ratio. This keeps the micro minerals from becoming toxic to Deer.
Salt blocks that look like rocks are a good way to keep Deer from knowing where the salt is. The blocks look like natural rocks so that the Deer won’t tell the difference. You also won’t have to worry about revealing your best hunting spot.
The best locations for mineral sites are near food plots, bedding areas, and watering holes. Deer will usually go to a food plot to get salt and minerals. If you put the mineral site near the trail going into the food plot, the Deer will stop there.
So, what does all this mean for the average deer hunter? The QDMA says that studies suggest that mineral supplementation – especially calcium, phosphorus, and sodium – may provide some benefit. This is especially true in areas where Deer are nutritionally deprived or where the soil is deficient in minerals.
There are a few plants that deer typically like. These include red clover, chicory, and orchard grass. Additionally, deer are attracted to high-protein crops such as peas, soybeans, turnips, alfalfa, sorghum, kale, and corn. They also enjoy the nutritious nuts found in chestnuts.
You can use a 1:1 or 2:1 (two parts salt and one part dicalcium phosphate) ratio for your mineral site. Important Note: You will need to mix in plenty of salt to attract the Deer. If you notice no deer sign after a few weeks, mix more salt to the site.
There are two types of minerals that deer need to have a healthy body and grow big antlers. These minerals are called Macro Minerals and Micro or Trace Minerals.
Different minerals licks will attract different types of animals. If you want to attract Deer, you’ll need to purchase a lick specifically made for them. Not all salt blocks are the same, and they won’t have the same effect on Deer.
To learn more information about deer hunting tips, click here.