Trace Minerals and Their Importance to Deer by Grant Woods
Folks commonly ask: What’s the most important mineral to promote antler growth? That is an easy question to answer: All of them!
Healthy deer produce larger antlers than unhealthy deer. The process of body growth and maintenance requires small amounts of most of the elements on the periodic chart. For example, zinc is needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more. Another example is Molybdenum that works in the body to break down proteins and other substances.
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There’s a lot of talk about protein in antler development, but most folks never consider that without Molybdenum deer likely can’t break down protein and use protein.
Just like in humans there’s no one super mineral that improves our health. Rather, doctors recommend mineral supplements that include a broad-spectrum of trace minerals.
Scientists have documented deer traveling great distances to naturally occurring mineral licks. Cleary, deer seek out sources of trace minerals. To improve the health of my local deer herd I like to create mineral licks about every 100 acres and use a quality natural product that includes lots of different trace minerals.
If you’re managing hunting land for whitetails don’t forget the essential element of including trace mineral licks in your management plan.
Growing Deer and Turkeys together,
Grant
