Whitetails 365: Year Round Management for a Thriving Deer Season in 2024

Whitetails 365: Year Round Management for a Thriving Deer Season in 2024

By Aaron McKinney

In May, a lot of Iowa Sportsmen shift their focus from deer to turkey and fishing. However, for some of us, we are always planning and doing what we can for the upcoming deer season. There are some things you can do to help your deer herd stay in top condition for the upcoming 2024 deer season.

Spring and Summer Minerals
In May, the clover and grass are beginning to green-up and by the end of the month, trees and multiflora rose and other briars will begin to leaf out too. However, does are going to start having fawns, and bucks will begin to grow back antlers. For these two reasons, you might consider having some minerals available to help keep the herd healthy during these times.

To get trophy bucks, you have to have the genetic potential for big antlers, and you have to pass up three year old, and even four year old bucks to let the bucks’ skeletal system finish growing. At four years, their skeletal system should be done growing, and this is why we will see them start to add stickers, and extra points sometimes as four year old deer and older. However, to give the bucks in your area a boost on growing their bones and antlers, you could get some minerals available to them.

Calcium is the main component in antlers, so make sure your source has plenty of calcium. They also have a lot of phosphorus in them. Trace amounts of other minerals are also present, including magnesium, sodium, potassium, selenium, barium, iron, zinc, and manganese. While their individual contributions are not as significant as calcium and phosphorus, they likely play a role in supporting overall antler health and development. Research and use quality mineral sources to help bucks of all ages with their growth and development. They for sure will try and browse for plants containing these minerals, but you can also help provide a source to get them off to a good start. They also need a good protein supply to build those antlers. Having clover fields, or green browse will help them build their antlers.

We often focus solely on trophy bucks when choosing a mineral. However, lactating does have increased nutritional demands. Coincidentally, most of the minerals they need parallel the minerals that bucks use for their antler growth. By having some minerals out for the summer, you can ensure the herd is getting the nutrients and minerals they need whether they are bucks or does.

Set Out Early Trail Cameras
Most of us do not even think about getting our trail cameras ready until late July. Then, it becomes a mad scramble to get our trail cameras out. There are a couple of benefits to getting cameras up early. There are several different trail cameras out on the market. A couple of new ones offer 3600 angles. These are particularly helpful in areas where wildlife can easily walk in all directions around the camera. Setting up some early trail cameras will give you a glimpse into how the deer are using your ground. You can also begin to watch bucks grow back their antlers, and begin to monitor which directions bucks will travel through your area.

One of the most frustrating things for a bowhunter is to have a deer within range, only to bolt because a coyote comes stalking into the area. When it comes to protecting the deer herd, coyotes (along with humans) are an Iowa deer’s top predator. Setting out some trail cameras during May will help you get an understanding of the predator pressure in your area, and you can get a jump-start on controlling the predators in the area.

Studies reveal that coyotes are highly adept at hunting fawns, especially during their first vulnerable weeks of life. Research from the Southeastern US suggests fawn survival rates as low as 16-25%, meaning only 1.6 to 2.5 fawns per 10 does survive their first year, largely due to coyote predation. A friend of mine set a trail camera up on a coyote den. He observed the mother dragging 17 different fawns back to her den for her young coyotes. Spring and summer have the perfect weather for you to get out and do a little coyote calling day or night. This can be especially beneficial if you feel like the deer numbers in your particular hunting spot we low.

While fawns are easier targets, adult deer are not immune either. Recent research indicates that adult deer can comprise up to 40% of a coyote’s diet in some areas during winter, and they may even kill and consume twice as many adults as fawns during this season. Getting some trail cameras up and watching the predators will be a good way to protect your local deer herd at least a little from coyote predation.

May Activities
By placing some key minerals rich in calcium and phosphorus, you can help lactating does and growing bucks get off to a healthy and productive start. Additionally, by coyote hunting during the summer months, you can help decrease the predator pressure on your local deer herd and give both fawn and adult deer the best chances for survival.