Minerals That Fuel Deer Antler Growth
It’s deer season, and you’re itching to bag a 10-point buck, but maybe the deer in your area are sporting antlers that look a little on the scrawny side. One of the biggest causes of anemic antlers is a lack of minerals and nutrients. Yes, deer need a healthy diet, just like people do!
Below, learn about the top deer minerals for antler growth and how you can get those minerals into deer diets with supplements like Grow Masters Deer Mineral.
What Minerals Do Deer Need for Healthy Antler Growth?
Just like bones, a deer’s antlers are composed of minerals. Calcium plays the biggest role in antler development, and deer need plenty of this mineral to fight off rival bucks for territory and mates.
Phosphorus is another major mineral that bucks need for good antler growth. It’s responsible for antler structure and ensures bucks have the stamina to forage, fend off other bucks, and mate. Experts recommend that deer have either a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus.
Trace minerals, such as selenium, zinc, and copper, are also important. In addition to building antlers, deer rely on these minerals for immune development and metabolic processes.
When the Land Doesn’t Provide
You expect your land to provide everything deer need for strong antlers, but nature isn’t always as generous as we’d like. Depending on where you hunt, the soil could be deficient in vital minerals, leading to nutritional deficiencies in the deer. South Texas soil, for example, tends to be seriously deficient in phosphorus and other minerals that fuel deer antler growth.
This is a problem because deer get most of their nutrition from the plants they eat. If the plants lack the necessary minerals and nutrients, the deer will, too.
How To Promote Bigger, Stronger Antlers in Bucks
If you suspect a mineral deficiency in your bucks, don’t simply treat the soil without knowing where its imbalances lie. Take a soil sample from an area where deer feed and have it tested for mineral content (your local agricultural extension can perform the test for you).
If your soil fails to make the cut, you can apply a mineral-rich fertilizer to help it. For example, if it lacks phosphorus, apply a 0-45-0 fertilizer at a rate of 50 pounds per acre.
Another option is to provide missing minerals via supplemental feeding. Choose granular mineral supplements with at least 12% calcium and phosphorus and less than 30% salt. Pour the mixture into a covered trough for easy access. Every two weeks, clean the trough with a 50% bleach and water solution to eliminate grime and bacteria.
Antlers on the Skinny Side? Try Grow Masters Deer Mineral
If you’re tired of snagging bucks with puny antlers, offering a balanced supplemental feed is an excellent way to provide deer minerals for antler growth. Herd Health Wildlife provides everything deer need to grow magnificent antlers. Pick up a bucket (or two!) of Grow Masters at Walmart today.
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