A Month Of Minerals

Although bucks, does and fawns all require minerals throughout the year, certain needs are at their peak right now. For does, spring and early-summer months require additional salt intake. Without extra salt in their diets, they’ll experience a sodium deficiency. Bucks also require salt, but at this point when they are extremely close to starting a new set of antlers, calcium and phosphorus are equally as important. Optimal antler growth, overall doe health, and subsequently fawn health are all directly tied into mineral intake. 

Normally, nature would address the needs of the deer without necessitating any intervention from hunters. This is because soil typically contains the minerals that deer need, and they take advantage of them through the plants in their diet. But, in areas with heavy agriculture, many of the farming practices have left the soil with lower levels of minerals. This is a problem for deer, but can be easily remedied. 

Record Rack Deer Blocks are the first choice. Deer Blocks are loaded with protein, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium and other essentials like Vitamin A and Vitamin E.  Another option is Sportsman’s Choice Antlers Plus, which contains a litany of high-quality ingredients meant to boost overall health and optimize antler growth. Sportsman’s Choice Antler Plus is a great option when you’re in the process of fine-tuning mineral stations because it comes in pellet form.  Several stations can be set up with ease until a few standouts are identified.

Don’t Forget
April is pretty much the last chance for many of us to get into the woods to scout and remove last fall’s tree stands before the woods green up, the ticks come out, and the overall ease of it all goes straight downhill. Pulling stands isn’t a whole lot of fun, but if you leave them up for too long you’re asking for trouble. Tree growth has an annoying tendency to tighten up securing straps and can make stand removal a difficult endeavor. On top of that, every week that a portable stand is left in a tree it becomes a little less safe. The same goes for tree steps. 

Lastly, take one last stroll through your hunting grounds. Keep an eye out for any buck sign you might have missed during the winter. Rubs are pretty easy to spot right now, and with the snow disappearing for those of us in the North Country, scrapes are evident as well.