Jimmy Williams
My last couple of articles have been about things hunters can do to get bucks to grow bigger and better quality antlers.
Two important points were emphasized: Allowing deer to live longer and the importance of genetic background. I also mentioned food sources and supplements that are put out by hunters.
Today, I'd like to go into this subject a little deeper.
Some time ago, while talking with a state wildlife biologist, I learned that his department had no solid proof that putting out deer blocks or planting small food plots had any measurable effect on deer or antler growth. He maintained that deer living in the wild tend to move around too much to monitor and I tend to agree with him.
To measure the effects of food supplements with any degree of accuracy requires that deer be kept in a controlled environment such as a fenced-in area. Even under close scrutiny it would take about ten years of studying a group of deer to get the necessary data that would allow for any decision one way or another.
Numerous outdoor shows on TV address this subject but most of them focus on areas that are under control. They are selling products that claim to stimulate antler growth and several sets of shed antlers might be shown that have been picked up over the past two or three years which appear to belong to certain deer that have been allowed to live a few extra years. Whatever the case might be, I believe there is some truth to it.
Free-roaming deer can leave an area, be joined by newcomers, get killed, or die of natural causes and it is primarily for these reasons that the biologist I talked with claimed that proof of food supplements aiding antler growth could not be substantiated. But he did not deny it either. He seemed to be sitting on the middle of a fence. Sort of reminded me of Sgt. Joe Friday on the old TV show called “Dragnet” ... just gimme the facts, ma'am. He didn't really seem to have an opinion.
If you stop and think about it for a minute, all of this makes sense to some degree but my personal opinion is that deer will benefit from supplements to their diets even though we might not be able to document the results through scientific means. About the only thing we could do is to make notes of the deer we see over a period of time and compare them from year to year.
I don't know how much difference it makes but I'm a firm believer that putting out food supplements certainly won't hurt anything. I know that deer move around a lot when they strike a notion to do so and some of them are going to die for whatever reason but for the most part I believe deer tend to stay within a certain area close to where they are born. As they grow, the areas that provide good cover, safe bedding, and food sources are well known to them.
If we put food out for them on a regular basis, they will visit these spots frequently out of habit. Also, if we allow the young bucks to live for a few years, it's my opinion that we would see some positive results. Shooting them at an early age would ruin any chance of knowing for sure whether our efforts are paying off or not.
Deciding what to put out and where to put it takes some careful thought and planning if you want your efforts to pay off. You can't go about it in a haphazard manner and expect any good results. For example, if you decide to put out a few deer blocks, there are a number of ways to do it. Some people did a small hole and place a block in it while others are placed on old stumps or logs along well used trails located near bedding and feeding areas. Once the deer have found it, they'll usually eat the entire block in a matter of just a few weeks and sometimes they will continue to lick that spot until the stump or log is worn down to hardly nothing is left but a few splinters.
Over the years I've tried several types of blocks and the best results seem to come from putting out the large type that contain a mixture of something that looks like molasses and grains. The white and brown trace mineral blocks have not impressed me but some people claim they work just fine. Deer blocks can usually be found at farm supply centers or sporting goods stores. They cost around six bucks or so and they weigh about ten pounds each. Some are wrapped in a heavy paper carton that should be left intact. It is fairly weather resistant and helps keep the food from getting scattered about once the block is set out. All you have to do is remove the top to expose the food.
Because deer blocks should be utilized year-round, the expense can get quite high so use prudent judgment when setting them out. Remember to check them frequently to see if they are being used and replace them as needed or relocate them if the action is not to your liking. But be patient. You have to keep in mind that deer like to stay close to their food sources and this is where the mineral blocks should be placed. As a rule, you should avoid placing them around fields.
In just a few short weeks deer season will soon be coming to an end for this year. \
From what I hear in talking with numerous people, it's been a pretty good season so far. Now that the rut is over, deer hunting is tapering off for many of us as we begin to turn our attention to hunting small game from now until mid-February. That's what I like about hunting ... there's always something to do.
My last couple of articles have been about things hunters can do to get bucks to grow bigger and better quality antlers.
Two important points were emphasized: Allowing deer to live longer and the importance of genetic background. I also mentioned food sources and supplements that are put out by hunters.
Today, I'd like to go into this subject a little deeper.
Some time ago, while talking with a state wildlife biologist, I learned that his department had no solid proof that putting out deer blocks or planting small food plots had any measurable effect on deer or antler growth. He maintained that deer living in the wild tend to move around too much to monitor and I tend to agree with him.
To measure the effects of food supplements with any degree of accuracy requires that deer be kept in a controlled environment such as a fenced-in area. Even under close scrutiny it would take about ten years of studying a group of deer to get the necessary data that would allow for any decision one way or another.
Numerous outdoor shows on TV address this subject but most of them focus on areas that are under control. They are selling products that claim to stimulate antler growth and several sets of shed antlers might be shown that have been picked up over the past two or three years which appear to belong to certain deer that have been allowed to live a few extra years. Whatever the case might be, I believe there is some truth to it.
Free-roaming deer can leave an area, be joined by newcomers, get killed, or die of natural causes and it is primarily for these reasons that the biologist I talked with claimed that proof of food supplements aiding antler growth could not be substantiated. But he did not deny it either. He seemed to be sitting on the middle of a fence. Sort of reminded me of Sgt. Joe Friday on the old TV show called “Dragnet” ... just gimme the facts, ma'am. He didn't really seem to have an opinion.
If you stop and think about it for a minute, all of this makes sense to some degree but my personal opinion is that deer will benefit from supplements to their diets even though we might not be able to document the results through scientific means. About the only thing we could do is to make notes of the deer we see over a period of time and compare them from year to year.
I don't know how much difference it makes but I'm a firm believer that putting out food supplements certainly won't hurt anything. I know that deer move around a lot when they strike a notion to do so and some of them are going to die for whatever reason but for the most part I believe deer tend to stay within a certain area close to where they are born. As they grow, the areas that provide good cover, safe bedding, and food sources are well known to them.
If we put food out for them on a regular basis, they will visit these spots frequently out of habit. Also, if we allow the young bucks to live for a few years, it's my opinion that we would see some positive results. Shooting them at an early age would ruin any chance of knowing for sure whether our efforts are paying off or not.
Deciding what to put out and where to put it takes some careful thought and planning if you want your efforts to pay off. You can't go about it in a haphazard manner and expect any good results. For example, if you decide to put out a few deer blocks, there are a number of ways to do it. Some people did a small hole and place a block in it while others are placed on old stumps or logs along well used trails located near bedding and feeding areas. Once the deer have found it, they'll usually eat the entire block in a matter of just a few weeks and sometimes they will continue to lick that spot until the stump or log is worn down to hardly nothing is left but a few splinters.
Over the years I've tried several types of blocks and the best results seem to come from putting out the large type that contain a mixture of something that looks like molasses and grains. The white and brown trace mineral blocks have not impressed me but some people claim they work just fine. Deer blocks can usually be found at farm supply centers or sporting goods stores. They cost around six bucks or so and they weigh about ten pounds each. Some are wrapped in a heavy paper carton that should be left intact. It is fairly weather resistant and helps keep the food from getting scattered about once the block is set out. All you have to do is remove the top to expose the food.
Because deer blocks should be utilized year-round, the expense can get quite high so use prudent judgment when setting them out. Remember to check them frequently to see if they are being used and replace them as needed or relocate them if the action is not to your liking. But be patient. You have to keep in mind that deer like to stay close to their food sources and this is where the mineral blocks should be placed. As a rule, you should avoid placing them around fields.
In just a few short weeks deer season will soon be coming to an end for this year. \
From what I hear in talking with numerous people, it's been a pretty good season so far. Now that the rut is over, deer hunting is tapering off for many of us as we begin to turn our attention to hunting small game from now until mid-February. That's what I like about hunting ... there's always something to do.