Mineral Plots                                

   Rory Tipton

June 2009

            I think we would all agree that establishing food plots on your property may be the most popular topic in deer management talk. There is no doubt that food plots can provide numerous benefits to the deer in your area and improve the overall herd conditions. Although the focus in deer hunting today is on food plots, I would like to discuss another form of deer supplementation that may provide more benefits.

            The benefit of mineral plots lies in not only the nutrition you are providing, but more important is the timing. During early spring and through early summer, antler development is happening and bucks need every bit of help they can get. A Mineral plot can serve a very important purpose by offering additional supplements for them.     

            As with food plots, there are many choices of options for the hunter wanting to construct a mineral plot. My suggestion is to keep it simple in the beginning. You can pick up 12 lb mineral trace blocks at the local feed store relatively inexpensive. Buy a couple (depending on the size of your property, of course) and establish some plots on your place and see what happens. My method is to dig a small hole and bury the block after breaking it up some. Some corn or other attractant can also help them find the mineral and get started. If the deer begin to frequent the plot, you can add on and experiment with some of the other choices on the market. I have seen too many times hunters buy some of the very expensive product and put it out only to find the deer did not ever use it and the time and money was wasted. Start small and easy, then expand as you find good places.

            Speaking of location, you might find the best mineral plot locations are off the field edges and in the more remote areas vs. the wide open. I always choose locations based off where deer will use it and not what is the best spot to hunt over.

            Establishing mineral plots is a beneficial activity, but it also something that I enjoy doing. It will give you a great place to hang that new game camera and get some neat pictures of bucks growing their antlers!