Full Version: Mineral Licks
What type "homemade recipes" do you guys have for mineral licks?
Here is a recipe that I took off another site
Bag of mineral salt
Bag of Dical (Dicalcalcium phospate 21%)
Bag of feedgrade molasses for cattle
Mix as follows
80 lbs of the mineral trace salt
50 lbs of Dical
50 lbs of molasses ground sugar
You can also add 15 lbs of feedgrade sweet lime
This will give you almost 200 lbs of mix
Bag of mineral salt
Bag of Dical (Dicalcalcium phospate 21%)
Bag of feedgrade molasses for cattle
Mix as follows
80 lbs of the mineral trace salt
50 lbs of Dical
50 lbs of molasses ground sugar
You can also add 15 lbs of feedgrade sweet lime
This will give you almost 200 lbs of mix
Has anyone had any experience creating a homemade vitamin/mineral mix using various commercial items like deer cocaine, rice bran, peanut butter, corn, etc that worked well and was very acceptable and palatable to attract deer?
Salt works to start, there has been several homemade mixtures you should be able to find with a search. I have to watch what I use cause the bears tend to like it also..
Heres one I had, haven't tried
Deer Lick
Heres one I had, haven't tried
Deer Lick
This is one my brother sent to me from his bow site
Recipe from Missouri Conservation.....
The ultimate goal of mineral supplements in deer management is to increase
antler size and improve
overall health of deer herds by providing minerals or trace minerals that
may be lacking in a given area.
Although the jury is still out on effects of mineral supplements on wild
deer populations since most studies have been on pen raised deer. Studies on
wild population have been inconclusive and to a degree the same on pen
raised deer due to other variables such as supplemental feeding that takes
place in these
areas. The direct benefits will probably be far greater in certain regions
that lack certain trace minerals in the soil and plants.
One mixture or home recipe of deer minerals we recommend to landowners is a
mix of one part
Dicalcium Phosphate, 2 parts trace mineral salt (loose), and 1 part loose
stock salt. All of these are available to purchase at most local feed and
farm supply stores. Just to give you a little background on these minerals
and what they are designed to do lets start with the Dicalcium Phosphate.
Dicalcium phosphate is used primarily as dairy cattle feed additive and
other animal feeds. It promotes feed digestion, weight gain, and milk
production, which is obviously beneficial to a lactating doe deer.
Dicalcium phosphate contains roughly between 18 and 21 percent phosphorus
and 19 to 23 percent
calcium. You're probably asking why this is important by now. Well if your
talking about growing antlers on deer you need to take a look at what is the
make up of a deer antler.
Hardened antlers contain 40 to 50 percent organic matter from mostly
proteins while the most abundant minerals consist of calcium and
phosphorus. The demands for these minerals on a daily basis can be
significant for antler production. In addition, a lactating doe's milk
contains high percentages of both calcium and phosphorus to pass on to their
young, also causing a significant mineral drain on the doe.
What makes all this significant is the fact
that phosphorous cannot be synthesized by the body so it must be provided in
needed levels in the animals diet. This is where a mineral mix such as this
could be very valuable if an area is lacking in these naturally.
Trace mineral salts do two things for deer. The first and foremost is it
does have the salt/sodium to attract the deer and promote the use of the
mineral. Secondly, it provides the trace minerals such as magnesium and
potassium that are very important to herd health but are not found in
significant quantities like others.
Stock salt is again like part of the above. It has the sodium to attract
deer to the minerals.
Most mineral mixes have salt as their most abundant ingredient since a mix
of just posphorus, calcium, and other trace minerals have little attraction
to deer once mixed with the soil.
As for directions of use we suggest using a 3-pound coffee can to measure
out 1 part dicalcium phoshate, 2 parts trace mineral salt, and 1 part stock
salt. Mix all these together once ready to use but keep components separate
during storage. Dig a hole in the soil about 36 inches wide and 6 inches
deep and mix the mineral well with the soil. This should be replenished
after 6 months and then once a year thereafter.
Most use seems to be during the spring and summer months on mineral licks.
It's a good idea
to keep these areas replenished and stocked in the same spot to maintain
use.
Print this off and take with you.
WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE
Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. for about $23.00
1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed
stores. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag.
2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loose kind without the medications.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $5.00 you need two bags.
1 part Stock salt, ice cream salt. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $2.00 you
need one bag.
Directions:
-Use a 3 pound or similar size coffee can to use as your measure for each
part of the mix.
-Mix all together well but not until read to use, keep ingredients separate
until ready to put to use.
-Dig or tear up a circle in the soil about 36 inches wide and about 6 inches
deep.
-Mix your mineral mixture with the soil.
Maintenance:
-Replenish in 6 months with fresh supply of mineral, and then each year
there after.
Does will still use it during some of the season.
Now is the time to get it out!!!
The hole in the ground will get huge!!....enjoy
Recipe from Missouri Conservation.....
The ultimate goal of mineral supplements in deer management is to increase
antler size and improve
overall health of deer herds by providing minerals or trace minerals that
may be lacking in a given area.
Although the jury is still out on effects of mineral supplements on wild
deer populations since most studies have been on pen raised deer. Studies on
wild population have been inconclusive and to a degree the same on pen
raised deer due to other variables such as supplemental feeding that takes
place in these
areas. The direct benefits will probably be far greater in certain regions
that lack certain trace minerals in the soil and plants.
One mixture or home recipe of deer minerals we recommend to landowners is a
mix of one part
Dicalcium Phosphate, 2 parts trace mineral salt (loose), and 1 part loose
stock salt. All of these are available to purchase at most local feed and
farm supply stores. Just to give you a little background on these minerals
and what they are designed to do lets start with the Dicalcium Phosphate.
Dicalcium phosphate is used primarily as dairy cattle feed additive and
other animal feeds. It promotes feed digestion, weight gain, and milk
production, which is obviously beneficial to a lactating doe deer.
Dicalcium phosphate contains roughly between 18 and 21 percent phosphorus
and 19 to 23 percent
calcium. You're probably asking why this is important by now. Well if your
talking about growing antlers on deer you need to take a look at what is the
make up of a deer antler.
Hardened antlers contain 40 to 50 percent organic matter from mostly
proteins while the most abundant minerals consist of calcium and
phosphorus. The demands for these minerals on a daily basis can be
significant for antler production. In addition, a lactating doe's milk
contains high percentages of both calcium and phosphorus to pass on to their
young, also causing a significant mineral drain on the doe.
What makes all this significant is the fact
that phosphorous cannot be synthesized by the body so it must be provided in
needed levels in the animals diet. This is where a mineral mix such as this
could be very valuable if an area is lacking in these naturally.
Trace mineral salts do two things for deer. The first and foremost is it
does have the salt/sodium to attract the deer and promote the use of the
mineral. Secondly, it provides the trace minerals such as magnesium and
potassium that are very important to herd health but are not found in
significant quantities like others.
Stock salt is again like part of the above. It has the sodium to attract
deer to the minerals.
Most mineral mixes have salt as their most abundant ingredient since a mix
of just posphorus, calcium, and other trace minerals have little attraction
to deer once mixed with the soil.
As for directions of use we suggest using a 3-pound coffee can to measure
out 1 part dicalcium phoshate, 2 parts trace mineral salt, and 1 part stock
salt. Mix all these together once ready to use but keep components separate
during storage. Dig a hole in the soil about 36 inches wide and 6 inches
deep and mix the mineral well with the soil. This should be replenished
after 6 months and then once a year thereafter.
Most use seems to be during the spring and summer months on mineral licks.
It's a good idea
to keep these areas replenished and stocked in the same spot to maintain
use.
Print this off and take with you.
WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE
Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. for about $23.00
1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed
stores. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag.
2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loose kind without the medications.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $5.00 you need two bags.
1 part Stock salt, ice cream salt. Comes in 50lb Bags at around $2.00 you
need one bag.
Directions:
-Use a 3 pound or similar size coffee can to use as your measure for each
part of the mix.
-Mix all together well but not until read to use, keep ingredients separate
until ready to put to use.
-Dig or tear up a circle in the soil about 36 inches wide and about 6 inches
deep.
-Mix your mineral mixture with the soil.
Maintenance:
-Replenish in 6 months with fresh supply of mineral, and then each year
there after.
Does will still use it during some of the season.
Now is the time to get it out!!!
The hole in the ground will get huge!!....enjoy
Excellent information! Jeff Banks of Banks Farm produces a mineral mix designed for deer. It is also high in clacium and phosphorous and costs about $20.00 a bag.Here's the link to Banks Farm for those that are interested.
Banks Farm
I will give the homebrew mix a try. 200 lbs for $23.00 puts the cost at less than $6.00 a bag.
Banks Farm
I will give the homebrew mix a try. 200 lbs for $23.00 puts the cost at less than $6.00 a bag.
This some stuff my little brother found and made seems like the deer like it
jello and all
Magic Dust
50# bran (wheat or rice... wheat preferred)
2# sweet brown sugar
6 packages strawberry jello
...or Beast Feast (what it basically is)
Mix and bag in 1 gallon zip lock baggies.
jello and all
Magic Dust
50# bran (wheat or rice... wheat preferred)
2# sweet brown sugar
6 packages strawberry jello
...or Beast Feast (what it basically is)
Mix and bag in 1 gallon zip lock baggies.
I'm not sure whether or not this qualifies as a homebrew mineral mix or not but it should keep the critters regular! 
I know this thread has got some age on it...but here goes: I like the reasoning, cost, and ease of the Missouri Conservation mix in ronsh's post. My question is this, I see a lot of pics of guys with mineral mixes very close to the trunk's of tree's. Would this mix in particular have a negative impact on trees if too close? I'm looking to put some out this weekend in a couple of places and didnt want to be killin Live Oaks.
If any of y'all have any other favorite mixes you are using this year I would be interested in them as well. Thanks in advance,
Ross
If any of y'all have any other favorite mixes you are using this year I would be interested in them as well. Thanks in advance,
Ross
Ross yes it could kill the tree it is by. It depends on what kind of soil you have, tree type, how much salt is in mix and how fast the deer clean it up. By me the deer eat it so fast it doesn't have time to get into ground. If I put it by a tree I make sure it is a crap tree or one that is dead or stump if the mix leaches in the ground it will not hurt any thing. If you put it on a dead stump the deer will start eating the stump. I use the Missouri Conservation mix but substitute Beast Feast for the stock salt. I read that to much salt is not good for deer. Hope this answers your question.
I picked up the components of the mix today. Last question: about how much of the mix should I put at a location? I will be mixing it in a 5 gal bucket. I'm only putting out 3 locations, so I have a plenty to use.
Thanks,
Ross
Thanks,
Ross
Roscoe if you are mixing in a 5 gallon pail I would just about fill it up[Give yourself some room for mixing it up] Then divvy it up at the 3 sites.
Tom
Tom
Wow...that's not much at all. 200lbs of the components...3 or 4 year supply! 
Thanks for the help Tom
Thanks for the help Tom
Ross if the deer by you are anything like they are by me you will be putting more out this year. 
I have to refresh mine every 2 or 3 weeks. I start mine out in April and it tails off in October
I have to refresh mine every 2 or 3 weeks. I start mine out in April and it tails off in October
I tried the Missouri mix less the stock salt...figuring there was plenty of salt in the Trace Mineral salt. They found the first site in a couple of days and about a week and a half on the second site. The nuked the second site when they found it. Rain the day I got out there had washed away any tracks, so I don't know if it's hogs or deer hitting them. I will put a cam on one of them next week to check.
I was wondering if anyone is using the recipe that ronsh gave and how it is working. I am thinking of doing a mineral station soon. Also, do most of you use that recipe for only 1 station or do you make several stations out of it. Thanks
QUOTE (Roscoe @ Jul 5 2006, 09:10 PM) 
I tried the Missouri mix less the stock salt...figuring there was plenty of salt in the Trace Mineral salt. They found the first site in a couple of days and about a week and a half on the second site. The nuked the second site when they found it. Rain the day I got out there had washed away any tracks, so I don't know if it's hogs or deer hitting them. I will put a cam on one of them next week to check.
great information i am going to try in texas
I bought the Di-calcium phosphate (50lbs), trace mineral salt(100 lbs.), and stock salt (50lbs. today to make a mineral lick. This is 200lbs. total, it says in the recipe to dig a hole 3' round 6" deep and mix it in the dirt. My question is how much do you put in this 3' hole? Do you put all 200lbs. or what? I found this recipe in several places but have not seen anywhere how much to use.
QUOTE (9toes @ Mar 21 2008, 10:26 AM)
I bought the Di-calcium phosphate (50lbs), trace mineral salt(100 lbs.), and stock salt (50lbs. today to make a mineral lick. This is 200lbs. total, it says in the recipe to dig a hole 3' round 6" deep and mix it in the dirt. My question is how much do you put in this 3' hole? Do you put all 200lbs. or what? I found this recipe in several places but have not seen anywhere how much to use.
I don't even dig the hole just dump it on top of ground. I usually dump about a gallon on each site and freshen it up 3 or 4 times a year.
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