Whitetails 365: Supplemental Strategies for Trophy Antler Development in Bucks

Whitetails 365: Supplemental Strategies for Trophy Antler Development in Bucks

By Aaron McKinney

We’re headed away from January and getting ready to enter February. In Iowa, the temperatures can be pretty low, ice and snow storms are still popping up, and can have a detrimental impact on the survival of deer in Iowa. Deer rely on their fat reserves and food availability to cope with the cold and energy demands of winter. However, when snow covers the ground, it becomes harder for deer to find and access food sources. For this reason, you might consider putting out some mineral and supplemental feed to help the deer stay in the best condition during the winter months.

Supplemental feeding for whitetail deer in winter is a controversial and complex topic. Some say it is unnecessary and harmful for the deer population, as it can disrupt their natural behavior, increase their mortality rate, and spread diseases. Others suggest that it can be beneficial and it can help deer survive harsh winters, improve their health, and enhance their antler growth. If you decide to feed deer in winter, you should weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for your hunting area.

Antler Growth & Development
Let’s go over some of the advantages to using mineral sites. I’ve noticed in just a few short years the mineral sites can really boost the overall antler characteristics of deer. Deer antlers are remarkable structures that grow and shed every year. They are composed of both proteins and minerals, but the proportions vary depending on the stage of growth. When antlers are growing, they are mostly made of proteins (80% by weight), but when they harden, they become roughly equal parts of proteins and minerals.

Calcium and phosphorus account for about 30-35% of the antlers, making them the most abundant minerals. Other minerals that play important roles in antler growth include magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and sulfur. These minerals are involved in various metabolic processes, such as enzyme activity, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and blood clotting. Since so many minerals are needed to grow antlers in a short amount of time, it does make sense that having this available will help a deer’s skeletal growth, and help antlers reach their potential. So, we will see bigger and better bucks.

Choosing Supplements
When it comes to picking out a mineral supplement. You need to take into account all the minerals needed for the antler growth and development. You need to look at the labels of minerals. I like to find some that are high in protein, have a good portion calcium as well as some trace minerals mentioned above. Some mineral mixes and blocks will be primarily salt. So, you’re mainly paying for salt, which deer need, and it attracts them. However, if you goal during February is to supplement and get the body condition of deer into a suitable shape, you need more than salt. You want to get them in the best condition so they can begin building back their body and antlers, and hopefully you can begin to influence bigger and better antlers in your area.

During February, we’re still battling low temperatures, and the deer have gone on with little food sources. To top it off, deer might be digging through a foot or two of snow trying to find any available food. You might consider supplementally feeding. Start feeding early in the season, before the deer become stressed by the cold and snow. Once you start, do not stop until spring greenery emerges. Deer eat grass and brambles, so before long, you should have additional natural food available. Distribute the feed in multiple locations and far from roads and houses. This will reduce the risk of deer crowding, fighting, and spreading diseases. It will also prevent deer from becoming nuisances or hazards to humans and vehicles. Use feeders that are elevated and covered to keep the feed dry and clean. The Iowa DNR is not a huge fan of feeding as it attracts a lot of deer to one spot. It’s thought that diseases, can spread easier with the concentrated deer eating and defecating in the same place.

How to Avoid Baiting
If you’ve lived in Iowa for long, I’m sure you know baiting deer is illegal in Iowa. According to the “2023-2024 Hunting, Trapping & Migratory Game Bird Regulations” issued by the Iowa DNR: “Bait means grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, salt, mineral blocks, or any other natural food materials, commercial products containing natural food materials, or by-products of such materials transported to or placed in an area for the purpose of attracting wildlife”. This definition is pretty gray, and there is a lot of interpretation to this hunting regulation too. For instance, one DNR person stated if there is a mineral site on a 20-acre hunting area, he’s going to assume the hunter is leveraging the mineral site for hunting purposes. From what I’ve witnessed, the DNR is cracking down on hunters who have mineral sites. A few years ago, Joe Franz, a Clive, Iowa resident, was accused of using bait to harvest a trophy buck. Equipment was seized, the rack was taken, and a 2-year expensive legal battle ended with the hunter being exonerated of the charges and receiving the confiscated items back. This case in particular gained a lot of hunter’s interest, and quite frankly, made a lot of us question whether using mineral sites was a good idea for our farms. You can remove the block and still have suspicion of baiting if the minerals leach into the soil. I have heard of hunters using mineral tubs and rubber pans to hold the mineral so it’s easier to remove the sites when hunting season comes.

Even though we’re a long way away from the deer season, you need to be conscientious that your mineral sites could still be considered “baiting” even when the mineral blocks are removed. This still attracts deer. The bottom line is, you do not want to be caught hunting in a scenario where you could be accused of using bait to entice deer. You should speak with your area conservation officer to answer any questions you may have and the best way to cover or remove a bait site.

Evaluate the Pros and Cons
If you’re considering incorporating minerals and supplements into your deer management routine, it’s important to carefully assess the most suitable approach for both yourself and the optimal method for clearing the bait before the hunting season begins. Ensuring the prompt removal of the bait before the season starts is crucial. If you choose to use bait, it’s advisable to do so in a manner that doesn’t raise suspicions about using minerals to attract deer for hunting purposes. Seeking guidance from a game warden for a customized plan in your specific area is prudent given the ambiguity surrounding this practice. Many hunters, recognizing the gray area involved, opt to abstain from using minerals altogether on their hunting grounds.

While minerals can enhance a deer’s antler growth, thoughtful consideration of the challenges associated with their use is necessary.

Fundamentally, it’s essential to carefully weigh the advantages and drawbacks of introducing supplements into a deer’s diet. On the positive side, you may observe larger bucks and contribute to meeting the caloric needs of deer during the winter. However, this comes with potential risks such as allegations of baiting and the potential for spreading diseases within your area.