Grant's Answers → Minerals

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Do you use Trophy Rocks to help direct deer traffic?

Question
Hi Grant,
My question has to do with Trophy Rock. Are there strategic areas you like to place them? Additionally, do you use them to direct traffic from bedding areas to food plots or water? We’re on 160 acres near Palo Pinto, Texas. Would 4 rocks suffice?
Thank you for your time.

Have a Blessed day!

-Marc

Marc,

I tend to place Trophy Rocks where there is already a deer travel pattern.  I haven’t used them to try and change deer travel patterns.  I like your idea!

Four Trophy Rock stations should be enough on 160 acres. I suggest monitoring the use of each station and if one is getting a lot of use I’d create another Trophy Rock station in that part of your property!  

Enjoy creation,

grant

February 24, 2016

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How many mineral sites should I have on 330 acres?

Question
Dr Woods, I have a 330 acre piece of land that I hunt and I want to established a few mineral sites on my property. The deer have never seen a mineral site and was wondering which Trophy Rock product would be better to get these sites started?? The Regular Trophy Rock or the 465?? Also how many do i need on 330 acres?? Thanks for all your help. Tim

Tim,

I use Trophy Rock’s Four65.  Either will work fine!  I prefer Four65 as there are more pounds per dollar!

I’d recommend starting with four sites – one is each quadrant of your property.  If lots of deer start using a site add another in that quadrant.  If you are getting bucks on camera that aren’t using a site, add another site near where those bucks were photographed.

Enjoy creation,

grant

February 5, 2015

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How many mineral sites are adequate for forty acres?

Question
How many mineral sites is adequate for 40 acres? I have 2 on my parcel and both are used frequently. I have never had the same bucks on camera at both locations.

Stephen,

If there are multiple different deer using both sites I try a third!  Sounds like there are lots of deer in your area.

Enjoy creation!

grant

February 5, 2016

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When should I put Trophy Rock out?

Question
When should i put out my Trophy Rocks?
Thanks and God bless!

 

Alec,

Deer require trace minerals year round.  This is why I keep Trophy Rock (www.TrophyRock.com) out year round!  Deer tend to use it more during the late winter and spring/summer.

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 25, 2016

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What type of feed should we use this time of year?

Question
Hi Grant, My 16 year old grandson and I like to set some feed out in front of our trail cameras this time of year. I have read not use corn or hay this time of year in Wisconsin as the deer can not digest it. We use deer pellets. The trouble with pellets especially this year they turn to soup when wet and the deer won’t eat them. Is there a mineral or mixture you can suggest?

Thanks, Ron

Ron,

I’m glad to hear you and your grandson are working on this project together!

Deer eat corn daily throughout the midwest without any issues. Deer can become sick if they ingest a bunch of corn without having access to it previously.  It’s the rapid change in diet that can cause deer to become sick or even die from eating corn. If you’ve been feeding corn then keep doing what you are doing. If you haven’t been feeding corn, now is a tough time to start.  If you do start now, start slowly!  Put out less corn than the local herd can consume.  

I have excellent results by placing Trophy Rock’s Four65 in front of my cameras.  Both bucks and does need trace minerals to express their full antler growth or fawn production potential. Trophy Rock is 100% natural (mined in Utah) and cost much less than corn.  Deer will only consume what they need and often visit the Trophy Rock site daily.

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 25 ,2016

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What time of year do deer need minerals for optimum antler growth?

Question
Hey Mr. Woods, I have a quick question about trophy rock, and mineral licks in general. What time of the year is most crucial for a buck to receive mineral supplements for optimal antler growth? Thanks!

Reuben,

The antler growth process is very unique!  Deer store minerals in their skeleton system throughout the year and then release it to grow antlers or milk for fawns during the late spring and summer.  Deer see minerals a bit more during the spring and summer but do best when quality trace minerals are available year round!  I keep Trophy Rock Four65 our year round at The Proving Grounds!

Enjoy creation,

grant

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What can I do to encourage deer to spend more time on the 80 acres where I hunt in Arkansas?

Question
Hello Dr. Grant,
I have 80 acres of land in Prairie Grove Ar, Its about half timber and half open fields with a large pond, a creek that feeds the pond and a spring that feeds the creek. There is a property that is not hunted that is about 100 acres of timber with no open fields that is connected to my property, and another farm to the north that is 20 acres of fields for sheep and other live stock. We have hunted our land for the past 15 years and have had lots if success with many does and several bucks taken. This year however I have hunted more and seen less deer than in years past, come to find out the neighbors with the farm are allowing some people to hunt their property, they seem to be shooting everything brown that walks by with little regard for game laws and ethics. What would be your advice to make my property more attractive to the deer hiding out in the unhunted timber and the deer that are heavily pressured on the farm? I am planning on doing some off season work and bringing back some food plots we have had in the past as well as making a new one in an opening in the timber on my property, im also introducing trophy rock to the property. Thanks in advance and keep up the good work.

Drew,

It sounds like you have a very nice property! 

Deer seek quality food, cover, and water daily. Water is rarely a limiting factor in Arkansas.  Quality food that deer don’t associate with danger can be a very strong attractant for deer!  I suggest you develop some quality food plots and have one that you don’t or rarely hunt.  This plot should be strategically placed so to encourage deer to spend the maximum amount of time on your property.  

Cover – where deer are almost never alarmed – is often a limited resource.  I recommend you designate a portion of your property as a sanctuary.  Sanctuaries are fabulous tools for properties the size of yours!  They encourage deer to spend a large portion of the daylight hours on your property versus the neighbors!  

I a huge fan of sanctuaries!

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 5, 2016 

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What do you think about the regulations in the Missouri CWD zones?

Question
what about MDC cwd zone laws no salt licks no feeding for camera survey?

David,

Jeff asked a very similar question.  You can see my response to Jeff at:  https://www.growingdeer.tv/view/ask/what-do-you-think-about-the-new-regulations-impacting-deer-seasons-on-missouri/

I’m glad my property isn’t in a CWD zone and that I can still use Trophy Rocks!  

Enjoy creation,

grant

December 22, 2015

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What mineral is most important to deer?

Question
Dr Woods

First off I’d like to thank you for being such a wonderful Christian example in the deer hunting industry. I think it’s awesome that you use your platform to help introduce people to the love Christ has for all of us.

I first started watching your weekly episodes a little over a year ago. Over that time I think I’ve learned more from your videos and articles than I ever did from any other resources.

I live and hunt in west central Kentucky where there is a good mixture of timber and agriculture. On the properties I hunt, I have food plots of the following combinations: standing beans, clover and chicory, and oats, turnips, and winter peas. There is also no shortage of natural browse as portions of these properties have been logged, while other portions have an abundance of mature red and white oaks. I feel like I’m meeting the needs of my deer herds nutritionally and I want to optimize their overall well being with mineral supplementation as well.

My question is this: What minerals are most essential when looking for a mineral supplement for my deer herd? Also, in what ratios and ppm of each component should I look for? I understand that there is no magic mineral that is going to make all the difference, I’m just wanting to provide my deer herds with everything I can to help them express their maximum potential.

I had a successful season this year as you can see below and I think I’m on the right track.
Thanks again for the wonderful resource you provide.
Jared

Jared,

Congratulations on tagging a very nice buck!  

You are correct that there is no magic mineral known for deer.  In addition, what minerals and in what amounts isn’t know and can’t be prescribed for wild, free-ranging deer because their diets are so variable.  

Wikipedia and other sources summarize a scientific principle related to this as:

…where it was found that increasing the amount of plentiful nutrients did not increase plant growth. Only by increasing the amount of the limiting nutrient (the one most scarce in relation to “need”) was the growth of a plant or crop improved. This principle can be summed up in the aphorism, “The availability of the most abundant nutrient in the soil is only as good as the availability of the least abundant nutrient in the soil.” Or, to put it more plainly, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

The soils and plants may be low on one element and 100 yards away be low on a different element.  This is exactly why I use Trophy Rock. It’s mined in Utah and is 100% natural and contains 60+ trace minerals all in proportions found in most mammals.  I’ve used Tropy Rock for  years and have been very pleased!  I use the Trophy Rock Four65.

I haven’t found any other product that includes so many different trace minerals in the same ratios as found in most mammals.  

Enjoy creation,

grant

December 10, 2015

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Can deer obtain minerals from plants?

Question
Dr. Grant Woods,

You are the MAN! I really enjoying learning from your words and actions and I greatly appreciate the time and effort you take to bestow your knowledge on people. I have many many question to ask you and would one day like to come and fellowship with you in Missouri.

Since deer are ruminants(like cattle and goats) and have different digestive systems than humans do they get any minerals at all from the food they ingest or does it all come through they way of ingesting soils?

If they do get some from lets say a food plot you have planted, it would make it even more important to have your calcium and phosphorous levels in your soil at optimum levels to make sure that plant isn’t deficient in those so it would benefit both plant and animal.

Nutrition has always been very interesting to me in both humans and wildlife. I have a very strong interest in wildlife conservation and being a steward of the land. Just enjoying God’s creation right? Thanks Dr. Woods in advance and God Bless.

Garrett

Garrett,

I hope you do join us for one of our Field Events!  I’d enjoy visiting with you.

There’s way more research about cattle mineral needs than deer.  This is because cattle are much easier to research than wild, free-ranging whitetails. I’m confident there’s some overlap between how cattle and deer can obtain minerals.

The University of Georgia does some great research.  The following is from The University of Georgia.

Beef cattle require a number of minerals for optimal growth and reproduction. Selecting the correct mineral supplement is important for maintaining healthy animals, and optimal growth and reproduction. Since high-quality forages and/or grains can furnish a large portion of the required minerals, producers should select supplements that will meet animal requirements and avoid excesses that reduce profits and lead to unnecessary mineral excretion. Minerals not provided by feed can be easily and inexpensively supplied with a simple mineral supplement. A good mineral program for brood cows should cost about $10 to $20 per year. This bulletin provides information on basic mineral nutrition for most forage and feeding programs in Georgia.

Minerals essential to cattle nutrition are classified as either macrominerals or microminerals, depending on whether they are found at levels greater than or less than 100 parts per million (ppm) in the animal’s body.

This and other research is why I use Trophy Rock’s Four65.  Deer rarely require a high volume of minerals but do require a lot of different trace minerals.  Trophy Rock has 60+ trace minerals is almost the exact same concentration as found in mammal’s blood.  

I don’t wish to gamble that all the trace minerals deer at my place need are available in the forage so I keep Trophy Rock’s Four65 out year round.

Enjoy creation,

grant

October 30, 2015

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Do you use minerals for turkeys?

Question
Dr. Woods-

I’m a big fan of your show, and a bigger fan of your faith. It’s refreshing to see someone who constantly acknowledges the divine hand of our Creator. Thank you for your boldness!
The property that I hunt in Western KY has a decent turkey population. When I started hunting there, it was very small, so I gave the turkeys a pass for a few years to build the flock some. They are a level now that I feel comfortable taking a tom or two this spring. I already have food plots in place, but I was wondering about Trophy Rock. I notice that you use it religiously for both deer and turkey, so I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how to use it. I’ve only use mineral licks for deer in the past.
What is the best blend for turkey? Should I use a Trophy Rock, or the Four65? Where should I put it out? When should I put it out?
Any advice you have is much appreciated! Thanks and God Bless!

Blessings,
Chris

Chris,

Thank you for sharing the encouraging words!  Congratulations on successfully managing the turkey population at your farm!  

I was using Trophy Rock’s Four65 to provide natural trace minerals for deer and kept noticing turkeys actively using it also. There are more turkeys at my place now than anytime since I’ve owned the property and the turkeys continue using the Four65!  

I keep the Four65 out year round and have Reconyx pictures of turkeys using it throughout the year.  I would suggest you do the same.

Enjoy creation,

grant 

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Should I add trace minerals to my food plots?

Question
Dr. Woods,
I searched all of your threads about food plots and did not find my answer.
Remembering on one of your episodes, that you were incorperating Trophry Rock Four65 into your food plots along with AntlerDirt.
I would love to apply Antler Dirt but is just to pricey for me to obtain and is not available in PA.
Can I broadcast trace mineral into my food plots and get the same results? I remember you saying your animals are what they eat and good quality food is important. Will the plants draw the minerals through their roots that way?

Thank you for your time, I love all the great valueablr free information you provide and it is entertaing also.

Mike

Michael,

The only way to know for certain what minerals should be added to a food plot is to do a soil test. I use http://www.Watersag.com and the B4 test annually on each of my plots.  This test monitors 10+ trace minerals!  

Many food plot farmers ignore trace minerals and therefore there crops aren’t as productive or as palatable as they could be.  I suggest starting with a quality soil test and then adding what’s necessary!

Trace minerals are required in very small amounts – often only a few pounds per acre.  There is very finely ground Trophy Rock in Antler Dirt and it has worked very well for me!  It’s easier to spread the small quantity of trace minerals when they are mixed or incorporated with something that’s spread in a hi

Enjoy creation,

grant

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Do you have a month to month list of things I can do to help the wildlife?

Question

I have 40 acres in Rosebud, MO where nothing has been touched. It has just all grown up right now. Is there anything I can do in January and February to help the wildlife? Do you have a month to month list of things I can do to help the wildlife? I am wanting to start doing some food plots and some timber management in 2013 and any help would be deeply appreciated; this is my first time.

Thanks,

Ed

Thanks for watching GrowingDeer.tv! I would make sure I have plenty of Trophy Rock (60+ trace minerals) out during January. I want it out year round. I tend to create new hidey hole food plots and stand sites at this time also. There are no ticks and the woods are open so visibility is better! We produce a new show each week and all the past shows (160+) are available online. So can easily see what we are doing each week. Thanks again and best of luck with your habitat work!

Grant

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Trophy Rock

Question

Grant,

Hello from north Georgia.  I have had a trail camera out since June watching a Trophy Rock.  Deer have been using it but in the last two weeks none of my good bucks have showed up.  I’m guessing they quit needing the mineral and moved to the acorns.  There is no other food source, other than small gardens, as most have been harvested now.

Thanks,

Dewayne

Dewayne,

Deer at The Proving Grounds are still using Trophy Rocks.  They are also consuming acorns.  So, I wonder if the deer at your place simply shifted their range in search of food.  Are you seeing deer sign in the area?  You might place your trail camera on another resource, such as water that is near the Trophy Rock, just to get an indicator for deer activity in the area.  Deer tend to back off the salt products during the cool season, but continue using Trophy Rock because of the many trace minerals it includes.

Patterning deer in areas where acorns are the primary food source is difficult.  Food plots are tremendous tools in these areas!

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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How I Use Trophy Rock

Question
I see you are a fan of Trophy Rock.  I have been using it for over 15 years now.  The application process of placing it on a flat rock is something I have never done.  So I am wondering, have I been using the Trophy Rock incorrectly all these years?  We usually place the Trophy Rock in a flat area where trails seem to converge.  We scrape a spot out and sometimes dig a little then put the rock in that spot.  We then set up a camera to see what is visiting the spot.  Any suggestions to use it better?  Do your deer lick, paw or eat the dirt around the Trophy Rock that has been on the flat rock?

Jim

Jim,

I do like Trophy Rock on large flat  rocks in areas of high deer usage.  If I place the Trophy Rock by a water source I always place it downhill from the water source, so it doesn’t leak directly into the water.

I have literally thousands of pictures of deer licking the rock.  There is certainly evidence that deer will paw, or likely consume, the dirt where the Trophy Rock has leaked off the rock I have placed it on.  My objective is for the deer to consume Trophy Rock to obtain a full complement of trace minerals.  In addition, it is probably a bit more sanitary to place the Trophy Rock up on a non-permeable surface compared to placing it directly on the ground.

Growing Deer together,

Grant

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