As spring turns whitetail habitat into a lush, green landscape, deer managers and
hunters everywhere begin preparing or reestablishing mineral sites. Deer typically begin using mineral sites around spring and continue into early fall. Mineral supplements provide whitetails with many benefits, including calcium, phosphorus, and other nutritional alloys needed for bone growth, antler development, milk production, and overall deer health. Let’s “dig” into the ins and outs of proper mineral site selection and preparation, application and maintenance tips throughout the seasons, and common mistakes to avoid.
Site Selection and Prepping TipsWhen selecting mineral sites, the most important consideration is minimizing intrusion on deer. Avoid areas that are difficult to access, impact whitetail movements, and scare deer off. Select sites that are easy to access and provide some cover from the neighbors’ prying eyes. Never disrupt bedding areas with mineral sites. An ideal mineral site needs to give deer some nearby cover while also being quick and easy to access. Near food plots, masts, like apple and oak trees, and water sources are good spots to construct mineral sites. Also, steer clear of sandy soils, which drains too quickly and won’t hold minerals well. Instead, look for loamy or clay-based soils that help retain nutrients longer. Establishing a mineral site is relatively easy. Use simple tools like a rake, spade, and handheld tiller to remove leaves, twigs, and vegetation in a 4-foot-diameter area. Avoid contaminating the site with human scent by applying scent-killing spray to all tools and wearing rubber gloves and boots. Expose the soil, but don’t waste time loosening it up extensively, as deer will do the work for you when they start regularly visiting the site.
Application and Maintenance Tips
Start mineral sites in early spring as green-up occurs. As deer feed on sprouting
vegetation, they’ll naturally encounter mineral sites. Whatever mineral you use,
replenishing it regularly is the key to developing a productive site that deer will use year
after year. Consider using a game camera to monitor mineral sites, enabling you to
determine when sites need refreshing. Rainfall and spring snowstorms will wash away
minerals, so put out more after heavy precipitation.
Regularly monitor each mineral site not only to determine when to replenish minerals
but also to learn how deer are using each site. For example, suppose you notice that
only young deer are visiting a site. In that case, consider relocating it to a more secure area that provides mature whitetails with the safety they need when moving throughout your property. If you have to deal with feral hogs, place a mineral block on a T-post with a piece of rebar to get the minerals off the ground and out of reach of greedy swine.
Common Mistakes
One big mistake is locating mineral sites too close to bedding areas and other deer
sanctuaries. The less intrusion your site makes on deer, the more likely they’ll regularly
hit it. Another common error is not regularly replenishing sites. Deer will stop visiting a
site if it doesn’t provide the minerals they need. Worse, they may go looking for minerals
on neighboring properties. Another common mistake is failing to provide a balanced
mineral mix. Mineral supplements from Big & J contain an ideal combination of crucial
minerals whitetails need to grow maximum antlers and maintain healthy bodies.