| When it comes to whitetail deer, bigger is better! | | | | for heavily used trails that come together, scrape and |
| Millions of hunters spend billions of dollars each year to | | | | rub lines and also locations near water when possible. |
| increase their chances of harvesting a trophy whitetail | | | | Locations where you already hang a tree stand or set |
| deer. Increasingly deer hunters are trying to improve | | | | up a ground blind work perfectly. Remember to set |
| their deer herd to accomplish this goal. There are | | | | your mineral sites in a spot that favors the prevailing |
| many methods that can be used to obtain the desired | | | | wind for your stand and blind locations. |
| results. Hunters can plant food plots, build better | | | | Once an ideal spot has been selected, you want to |
| bedding areas, dig in ponds, set up whitetail sanctuaries, | | | | clear an area five feet in diameter. Remove all leaves |
| and have a supplemental feeding program of corn and | | | | and vegetation for the minerals to work properly. Once |
| protein pellets. | | | | the area is clear, use a rake and loosen the soil then |
| These are all very good methods to improve a deer | | | | add your mineral supplement. |
| herd, but there is another way that is as equally | | | | You may want to consider installing a trail camera |
| important as it is effective, and the beauty of this | | | | when possible so that you can monitor how frequently |
| method is that it does not require a lot of time or | | | | the deer are visiting your site. This will give you a |
| effort. Virtually any hunter can set up a mineral | | | | better understanding of the herd's tendencies. Plus you |
| supplement program to improve the health of their | | | | can watch the transformation as the deer improve in |
| whitetail deer herd. Out of all the previously mentioned | | | | size with help from the mineral supplements. |
| ways to improve your deer herd, setting up mineral | | | | It is recommended that you replenish your minerals |
| sites is the least expensive and easiest to do. | | | | every two months. The trail cameras will help because |
| I recommend the use of a quality mineral supplement | | | | if you see the traffic decrease, you will need to |
| that contains both minerals and vitamins for best | | | | replenish it sooner. Heaviest consumption will occur |
| results. Giving the whitetail deer the minerals and | | | | from early spring through the fall as deer bulk up for |
| vitamins that they are lacking will help maximize the | | | | winter. Do not overlook the winter months though, as |
| bucks' potential by ensuring that the deer get | | | | providing minerals year round will maximize the health |
| everything they need for optimal growth. If you provide | | | | of the deer herd. At this time of year whitetails have |
| mineral supplements year round, you will notice an | | | | fewer options to consume the minerals and vitamins |
| increase in both body size and antler development. | | | | that their bodies need than at any other time of year. |
| Mineral supplements are also very beneficial for | | | | This will also help the deer endure the long, cold winter, |
| lactating does, replacing the minerals and vitamins that | | | | which helps them come back bigger and stronger |
| they lose while feeding their fawns. | | | | each year. |
| As I mentioned, setting up a mineral site is very easy | | | | Before using minerals supplements become familiar |
| to do. First, pick a location for your mineral site. Look | | | | with your states rules and regulations. |