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Home made mineral mix

John-W-WI

John-W-WI

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It's illegal in my state, so I can't use it... But when asked by a friend for the recipe, I was surprised to not find it here...

Here's what I've used in the past in other locations:
1 Part Di-calcium phosphate
1 Part stock salt
2 Parts trace mineral

You can also add dried or granulated molasses for extra attractant power - not recommended if you have lots of bears!

What does everyone else use (if anything).

-John
 
I know they are mostly salt, but I use the brown trace mineral blocks that they sell at feed stores. They are relatively cheap and deer love them. I have many trail cam pics of them biting the edge off the block. After the block is gone, they will dig in the soil for months.

I would say the mix you posted above is better because it would provide more of what is needed and less salt.
 
I look for the ones that are around 25% salt or less. There is a key ratio of phosphorus to calcium (or magnesium). It has to be 2-1ish. I'm not certain.

Fleet farm makes/made a 20 or 25lb bag for about $16, but last visit I didn't see it. Otherwise, if I'm at the Tractor Supply Co, I'll buy record rack mineral. It's about the same recipe. I've looked at trophy rock, and even that is almost pure salt. I buy the ones with the vitamins and minerals in it.
 
I try to get as much trace minerals as well as macro nutrients such as the calcium/phosphorous. I try and buy the minerals when they are on sale around Christmas and stock up. I go with lucky buck which is apple flavored, mixed in with trophy rock four65 or a trophy rock, and mix in a little dical. I don't know if it works but I just think any additional vitamins can't hurt. it's why humans take their vitamins, in case you're not getting it in your diet, the supplementation helps fill the void.
 
I just got started and tossed out a trophy rock because I am lazy. I will be interested to see what works for everyone else. The deer found my trophy rock pretty quickly. I will look at other options once these initial rocks are gone.

My dad has an issue with coons trying to take off with them when the are smaller in size - anyone else have that issue?
 
nwmn said:
I try to get as much trace minerals as well as macro nutrients such as the calcium/phosphorous. I try and buy the minerals when they are on sale around Christmas and stock up. I go with lucky buck which is apple flavored, mixed in with trophy rock four65 or a trophy rock, and mix in a little dical. I don't know if it works but I just think any additional vitamins can't hurt. it's why humans take their vitamins, in case you're not getting it in your diet, the supplementation helps fill the void.
Click to expand...

That is my general thought as well. It seems a bit hard to believe that a buck in the wild will eat enough of the minerals to give a noticeable difference in antler growth, but I like to think it gives the does and fawns a boost.

We put out 2 parts trace mineral salt to one part di-cal phosphate. Our local coop has both, I think it ended up being around $18 per 50 lbs last year when averaged out.
 
one thing about salt is that it is what is drawing deer to the mix, what it better lots of salt and lots of deer or hardly any salt and few deer?
 
I think it depends on how fast it's consumed. I've used the lower salt mixes in areas like Mcleod county where there are no deer. I put out a bag of antler king mineral, and I would bet that it is still sitting there today. It had some attention, but not enough to consume it all before the salt washed down. Up at our hunting property though, we've had enough deer and critters working it that the whole bag gets used up before the salt washes down.

One idea for a situation where it's not being consumed fast enough is to maybe throw a scoop of trace salt on it every so often to keep it appealing.
 
I use the 50 lb trace mineral blocks. I used to make the mix, but in the end, I am just using the salt as an attractant to hang cams near. The blocks are very effective and simple to drop one every other year.
 
Where can I but Di-Calcium Phosphate?


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I was told you can buy di-calcium phosphate at a feed store that specializes in horse feed. I checked and they had it there.
 
John-W-WI said:
It's illegal in my state, so I can't use it... But when asked by a friend for the recipe, I was surprised to not find it here...

Here's what I've used in the past in other locations:
1 Part Di-calcium phosphate
1 Part stock salt
2 Parts trace mineral

You can also add dried or granulated molasses for extra attractant power - not recommended if you have lots of bears!

What does everyone else use (if anything).

-John
Click to expand...

I have often wondered if spreading (very minimally) over a food plot would add these minerals back into the soil?
 
Huh, never thought of that before? I would think they would have to wouldn't you?

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Just called my local feed store. $53 for 150lbs. That seems decent to me, but wondering if the Trace Mineral blocks posted above for $13 are a better option?

50lbs - Di-Cal - $31.49
50lbs - Stock Salt - $10
50lbs - Trace Mineral - $12
 
Tree Spud said:
I have often wondered if spreading (very minimally) over a food plot would add these minerals back into the soil?
Click to expand...


Just be sure if you do that their isn't any salt in the mix.
 
What exactly is "Stock Salt"? I am trying to get a better understanding of the terminology when trying to buy these items. Thanks.
 
I wouldn't dump much rock salt on food plot,I really doubt that any of these mixes that are homemade benefit wildlife much,they need alot more than salt
 
buckdeer1 said:
I wouldn't dump much rock salt on food plot,I really doubt that any of these mixes that are homemade benefit wildlife much,they need alot more than salt
Click to expand...

Thats where the trace minerals come in that the salt is mixed with
 
Ok,salt kills plants and the ground,I guess I will rephrase i am not spreading salt on my food plot
 
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