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Deer minerals are popular these days and serve a great strategic purpose.
However, they can be intimidating to shop for.
To help you out in this pursuit, we’ve compiled some of the best options on the market along with all the additional information you need prior to investing in your product of choice.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Deer Minerals
- OUR TOP PICK: Ani-Logics Outdoors Mineral Dirt
- RUNNER-UP: Antler King Trophy Deer Mineral
- Ani-Logics Outdoors Ani-Supplement
Comparison Chart of the Best Deer Minerals
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What is Deer Mineral, and What is it Used For?
Deer mineral can be a confusing term. You can think of it as deer feed that primarily serves two purposes depending upon your intended use.
Hunters typically use deer minerals to attract deer. Meanwhile, deer managers use it to help bucks grow better. They serve a strategic purpose for hunters, as they can attract the deer to a favorable location, whereas deer managers use it to build a better habitat for deer to live in. Another possible reason to use it could be to help bucks grow bigger antlers, but that is a controversial argument. Some say it doesn’t work, whereas some say it does.
Our take on it is that it can indeed help with the process; however, there are many other factors correlated to it. It doesn’t work like magic; you can’t feed your deer the mineral one season and see them grow antlers magically by the next. It is much more complex than that.
How to Choose a Deer Mineral
Choosing deer mineral isn’t an easy job. There are plenty of factors that need to be taken into consideration when shopping for deer mineral. Let’s discuss those factors in detail:
The Type of Mineral
Deer mineral is available in three different forms. These forms are block/brick, granular, or liquid, each of which has ups and downs. You need to choose the best according to your needs.
Block/Brick
These are the preference for deer managers whose land tends to have large amounts of rainfall. A major upside to this kind is that it lasts much longer. However, naturally, they take way more time in seeping in the ground than any other form available.
Granular
These can be perhaps the most preferable option for most people. This kind mixes in with the soil much more easily and smoothly. However, some granular forms may require water, and some may not. Nevertheless, make sure you use distilled and non-chlorinated water to serve the purpose.
Liquid
These are somewhat similar to the granular form in regard to seeping into the soil quickly. It does successfully serve the purpose of attracting deer and providing useful nutrients. However, the downside of this form is that it doesn’t last long.
The Season
The nutritional needs of deer vary seasonally; therefore, the season is a major contributing factor when deciding which mineral to select. Feeding corn to deer in the winter could be deadly as it is high in carbohydrates during a time when their body is in need of protein. Therefore, the season determines the right kind of feed.
Spring and Summer
After the long and harsh winter, deer need to build their body back and gain the lost weight during the past few months. Therefore, the mineral you select should be high in protein content to help them rebuild muscle mass.
Fall
During this time, the ideal mineral should have high carbohydrate content, which will help the deer gain some fat to prepare for the winter months.
Ani-Logics Outdoors Mineral Dirt
Calcium, Phosphorus, and Sodium
This is a no-brainer since the two most prevalent minerals found in antlers are calcium and phosphorous; therefore, they should be a part of their mineral feed. Another major constituent should be salt, which attracts deer.
Trace Elements
The previously mentioned elements are the most important major constituents of the feed, but the trace elements play an essential role as well. In a lot of cases, the trace elements are what is missing from the natural habitat of deer. Therefore, they should be present in the suggested amounts in the feed.
Review of the Best Deer Minerals
Given the numerous options on the market, one is bound to get stuck when it comes to picking one. Here are some excellent options:
Best Overall:
Ani-Logics Outdoors Mineral Dirt
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to recent buyers, deer will come from far away and will even dig holes to get to this stuff. It releases an attractive smell that deer love. Moreover, buyers love the quantity they get at a relatively low cost. The package contains around 20 pounds of dirt laden with minerals and vitamins.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you are looking to boost your whitetail population to the next level, there is no better way to do it than by feeding them this special material. It blends well with dirt and ensures deer reach their maximum genetic potential early. It is also scientifically tested; thus, it ensures better outcomes for all kinds of deer. Moreover, the material contains the four most popular minerals needed for good antler growth.
The chelation process also increases mineral absorption by up to 70% to give you healthy, strong deer.
Bottom Line
The ability to attract deer from long distances is absolutely necessary for such a product, and Mineral Dirt 180 is scientifically tested to ensure it attracts even deer from quite a distance. It contains important minerals that strengthen the bones, boost the immune system, and allow for healthier and proper antler growth. Continuous consumption of this material will ensure your deer remain healthy and able for a long time.
Runner-up:
Antler King Trophy Deer Mineral
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Nearly all buyers were thoroughly impressed by the performance of this mineral, which seems to attract deer better than many available options on the market. Users have universally praised its combination of amino acids and yeast culture to aid digestion.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product has been deemed the best overall as it is the most well-rounded out of all the other options. Not only is it a great source of attraction for deer, but it also seems to provide them with great nutritional value.
Who Will Use This Most
Hunters will get great use out of this mineral since it manages to attract numerous deer in small intervals of time. This product seems to sit well with the deer and attract a bunch to hunt.
What Could Be Improved and Why
The packaging should be improved since it is slightly cheap and makes the product very difficult to handle. Potential messes could be avoided if the packaging could be upgraded.
Bottom Line
All in all, Antler King has created a fabulous product that serves its purpose and is the least gimmicky thing you will ever come across. It attracts deer and provides important nutrition; what more could one ask for?
3. Ani-Logics Outdoor Ani-Supplements
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers seem to really enjoy this product; most were extremely thrilled with its capabilities and swore by it. They seem to appreciate its deer attracting qualities and the nutritious benefits that it provides. It is a good investment, according to them.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Ani-Logics Outdoors stood out to us due to the tremendous nutritious value offered by their product. Even though the texture of it is a bit grainy, the nutrients it packs are of great value and promote antler growth.
Who Will Use This Most
Deer managers will get great use out of this as it has many nutritious benefits, and it remains on the soil much longer than other available options given its grainy texture.
What Could Be Improved and Why
The texture doesn’t let it sink into the soil as easily, and the deer seemed not to smell it very quickly. Therefore, if the texture were a bit finer, it would be a great improvement.
Bottom Line
This supplement is a great investment; therefore, we have featured it as our runner-up. It is another great way to lure deer in for hunting or to provide them a great habitat with all the possible luxuries.
Best for the Money:
Redmond Hydro All-Natural Mineral and Electric Additive
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers were generally very excited about the Redmond Hydro All-Natural Mineral and Electric Additive. They seemed to like it enough to purchase it over and over again. This product's nutrients and natural ingredients have won audiences on a global scale.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We were very impressed with the great value represented by this product's price tag. It serves all the intended purposes for it, simultaneously attracting deer and promoting their health. This total package is a necessary investment that we believe you would not regret at all.
Who Will Use This Most
Deer managers and hunters could benefit from this equally. It is a great product for deer health and in the long run, it helps them grow antlers.
What Could Be Improved and Why
One possible improvement could be to make the texture a bit finer, enabling it to sink into the soil in a much easier manner. It would be great if it didn’t need to be mixed with water, as that requires far more attention and management.
Bottom Line
This supplement truly provides great value for the money and has proven to be a great investment. It really shows results, and you will notice how it would impact your hunting or managing experience greatly.
Best Deer Mineral for Antlers:
Growth Nationwide Scents Antler Power Deer Minerals
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were universally impressed with the performance of this product. They seemed to notice that deer can smell it from significant distances, thanks to the strong scent. Furthermore, over time, it proved to promote antler growth and help with lactation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is the tested way to promote antler growth of your deer; it has really proven to be the most successful in producing noticeable results in antler growth; therefore, we had to include this on our list for living up to its advertising.
Who Will Use This Most
This supplement would seemingly benefit deer manager more than hunters due to the exceptional health benefits. There are plenty of slate licks available to attract deer, but none of them promote this much antler growth.
What Could Be Improved and Why
No doubt, this is on the more expensive side; it should be noted that the price is largely justified by the visible increase in the size of buck's antlers. Still, if this product was available in variants of lesser quantity or slightly cheaper versions, that would be a dream come true. The price tag as it stands may not sit very well with some people’s budgets.
Bottom Line
This is a bit of a splurge. However, for us, it is totally worth the splurge. If you have deer suffering from malnourished antlers, then this supplement is a must-have for you. This option can help them better than any other available on the market.
Best Deer Mineral Supplement:
Tricare 4 Top-Dress Trace Mineral Blend
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers seemed to love this product and vouch for its capabilities. Many remarked on being able to use this feed for cattle and sheep in addition to deer.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We first noticed how affordable this is, considering how highly efficient it is in treating many types of deficiency, such as zinc and copper.
Who Will Use This Most
Deer managers looking to manage a healthy habitat for a herd would appreciate this supplement a lot.
What Could Be Improved and Why
This product would be of better usage if it had a version with slightly lower copper amounts. Furthermore, this unit should have a stronger scent, so that deer are able to smell it better.
Bottom Line
This may not attract deer very well, but when mixed with a supplement that has a stronger scent, it provides immense health benefits. Therefore, it is a worthy investment.
Best Deer Mineral Attractant:
TROPHY ROCK Redmond All-Natural Mineral Rock/Salt Lick
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers seem to enjoy this product a lot, reporting that it serves a great purpose as a salt lick and is great for attracting deer. It is one of the most beloved options on the market and has received much love and appreciation globally.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This attractant stood out to us for being exceptionally good at attracting deer, which is a quality many comparable supplements lack. As most supplements cater more to the health needs of deer, this one serves its purpose of being a decent deer attractant.
Who Will Use This Most
Hunters will certainly get more use out of this as it is a better salt lick and attractant than a nutrition-providing supplement.
What Could Be Improved and Why
This unit would be even better if it was a bit cheaper. This would be more appreciated and multi-purpose if it had slightly higher levels of minerals and vitamins to cater to health needs.
Bottom Line
If you're interested in luring some deer, this salt lick is just what you've been looking for. As a bonus, it also somewhat helps in their growth. This would be a great purchase for hunters and an excellent gift idea for the hunter in your life.
Benefits of Having Deer Mineral
Deer minerals are all the hype these days, thanks to their undeniable strategic importance, and this may leave you wondering, why? The reason behind this is that they have many benefits. It only makes sense to discuss some of them here to help you gain a little more perspective on the product.
Beneficial to Health and Reproductive Performance
Providing deer with a mineral diet has evidently shown demonstrable health results. Minerals, in conjunction with normal feed, can affect deer health in dramatic ways. This would be the ideal situation if you want to have a healthier deer herd. Furthermore, better health results in better reproductive performance; this leads to more deer, and we can all agree that more deer is always better.
Serve as a Deer Attraction
Deer mineral is of great strategic importance to hunters as they use them to attract their prey. Minerals or salt licks are strategically placed in order to get a better chance at landing a kill shot. You can think of them as the worms on a fishing hook. They serve the purpose of bait for deer, which need the salt to digest foliage.
Key to Better Antler Growth
We have mentioned earlier how calcium, phosphorous, and sodium are the major mineral constituents of antlers. Thus, buying a feed rich in minerals would result in better antler production over time. There is solid evidence that suggests so; therefore, it is utilized largely by deer managers to serve the purpose of helping local bucks grow larger antlers.
Antler King Trophy Deer Mineral
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's safe to say the mineral you invest in will differ according to the circumstance. We have provided you with an ample amount of information, which can aid you in making a smart decision. In conjunction with that, we have recommended some of the very best minerals on the market, which will surely be a great start for you.
People Also Ask
Here we have compiled a couple of your most frequently asked queries, which we have answered to provide you all the information you need.
When to Put Out Mineral Licks for Deer?
There are many contributing variables, such as the time of spring, available food resources, rainfall or lack thereof, and the reproductive status of the deer feeding on it. The rule of thumb is that mineral usage typically works well with the growing season. Furthermore, the longevity of the mineral makes a pretty big difference in its effectiveness.
When Do Deer Stop Using Mineral Licks?
This basically depends on their needs. The minerals and salt work together to help the formation of antlers. Once fully developed, they mainly want the salt to digest summer foliage easily. Therefore, it is safe to say that the changing seasons would be a major reason you will see fluctuating patterns of utilizing mineral licks.
