Homemade cheap mineral recipe!

[Mark Christianson]

Well, I have played with lots of different things to see what the deer might like.

Regular salt blocks, trace mineral blocks, fancy marketed blocks and loose minerals, bla bla bla.

Well, I found one that is definitely getting a LOT of attention by the deer, and I have only had it out for less than a month.

Homemade. 200lbs of loose mineral mixed costs less than 25 bucks!

Cheap and better yet the most effective thing I have seen on our property.

Not that it will be the best thing everyone will have ever used, but I am sold on it with what I have seen so far.

WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE

Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. for about $23.00

1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores.

Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag.

2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications.

Comes in 50lb Bags at around $5.00 you need two bags.

1 part Stock salt, ice cream salt.

Comes in 50lb Bags at around $2.00 you need one bag.

Directions:

-Use a 3 pound or similar size coffee can to use as your measure for each part of the mix.

-Mix all together well but not until read to use, keep ingredients separate until ready to put to use.

-Dig or tear up a circle in the soil about 36 inches wide and about 6 inches deep.

-Mix your mineral mixture with the soil.

Picture is kinda hard to see whats going on, but the deer have been really working it up.

[chucker34]

BLB, great idea. How much do you usually mix up at a time and put in the spot they're working? How often are you replenishing the spot?

[Mark Christianson]

I mixed up one 5 gallon pail worth and spread it on 3 mineral sites. I'll refresh every month on the busy ones for sure.

[Gissert]

BLB gave me this recipe about 6 weeks ago, and I made a batch. I mixed up the whole works in my Otter trailer and made one big station. I did not mix much dirt in mine, as it was so muddy. I need to go stir it up a bit.

So far, the deer have just been pounding it. I am getting about 100 snaps a week on my trail camera. Rabbits seem to like it too.

[metrojoe]

Do you get all the ingredients at the feed store?

[Gissert]

I got everything at Fleet Farm. Any feed store should have these items.

[Mark Christianson]

Ding Ding.

Easy to find. If you aren't sure if a place carries the stuff, just make a call.

Only 3 ingredients.

[jasongp99]

This sounds great and I hope to try it. When do you suggest putting this out during the year? Is it good in the spring and summer?

[Mark Christianson]

Put it out for as long as the deer keep using it.

[roosterslayer]

hey mark, that mix is work just great, my wifes cousin went out to the sites yesterday and advised me that they have been pounded and both of my cameras are loaded to the max. looking forward to check what i got on film tomorrow. Thanks for the tip on the mineral!

[Gissert]

I am having great results with it too. I have even had rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons using it.

[Hotspotter]

BLB:

Very cool. I'm going to give it a try here soon, and will post pics if impressive. I've been looking for such a recipe, as the pre-made stuff is expensive!!!

Thanks,

Joel

[jasongp99]

I went to my local Fleet Farm and bought my trace mineral, and di-calcium phosphate, but had trouble finding the stock salt or ice cream salt. All the stores I found it in are for a 5 lb bag. Anybody have an idea's where I can find some and in the quantity I need? I am finding rock and crystal salt...same thing?? I am in St. Cloud so I have a few options.

[roosterslayer]

Try and feed mill or co-op. there should be plenty of those near St. Cloud and the feed mill is where i was able to pick everything up.

Good luck.

[jasongp99]

Found it at the local feed store and it was funny, no one knew what stock salt was. I am in business and putting it out this holiday weekend with my camera I got for christmas that hasn't been used yet. Looking forward to it. Thanks!

[PerchJerker]

By stock salt they are referring to livestock salt. Don't worry about it, salt is salt and is a huge attractant to deer, and this recipe is 80% salt. Water softener salt crystals are probably easier to find and will work just as well as stock salt.

[north red river]

So is this stock salt or ice cream salt the same thing as water softener salt??

[PerchJerker]

What I was trying to say is that all salt is an attractant to deer, so don't worry about it if you're not finding exactly what the recipe calls for. Water softener salt works great too for attracting deer. Granular salt is better than pelleted salt and pelleted salt is better than block salt because it's easier for the deer to consume, that's really the only difference.

[xedge2002]

I went to fleet today and picked everything up for the mix. I was wondering with it being so dry out lately do you mix the mineral with dirt and then add any water? Or do you just put it out dry and mix it in with dirt?

[Studer]

I am going to make some tonight and go out in the morning and set up a few stations. Also just curious about the legalities of hunting with these sites?? Isn't baiting illegal?? Just want to make sure I am not breaking any laws. I'm sure if your stand isn't right over it, you should be OK.

EDIT: Minerals are not considered bait.

[Studer]

I just got back and I must say, that is a pretty easy way to keep those deer on your property. I made four mineral sites and it was a simple recipe and I look forward to heading back out in a week to see how there hittin' it!! Thanks for the recipe BLB!!! Awesome-

[iffwalleyes]

What BLB is using for stock salt I just consider Rock salt. I put just this out every year by itself and it works well. But I think I might adding some goodies to it and putting it out the next time in the woods.

[LuciandTim]

I put this out in two high traffic areas and 4 days have passed and nothing I guess we will see what happens the next 4 days......

Has everyone had success with this mix? It seems pretty common. The feed mill knew exactly what the recipe was and said they sell the ingredients all the time. What is wrong with my deer.

[LABS4ME]

We've had fantastic luck with this recipe. My friend just sent me a photo of his mineral sight next to his cabin and it is stomped in the ground a good 12". They even kicked the 2 mineral blocks he had off to the side to work up the soil in the wallow!

I think deer only take the minerals when their bodies urge them to find them. Maybe they are not looking for them right now. Spring seems to be the time they hit them the hardest. They will eventually begin to use them.

Good Luck!

Ken

[metrojoe]

I just mixed some of this up the other day and put it out in 3 locations. I won't be able to check them for another 2 weeks. I'm hoping for some good results.