Brampton,
This is a posting I got off of a Wildlife Biology site by C. J. Winland. Check it out. Deer like the stuff and I just put some out today by making a mudhole and mixing this stuff in with the mud. It's called Arm and Hammer Washing soda and it is just the opposite of baking soda. It is a carbonate instead of a bicarbonate. I'll let you know in a few days if it works.

Randy: Yes, you can produce your own mineral lick by using the following: 50 pound trace mineral salt, 100 pound dicalcium phosphate or mono-calcium phosphate, and 10 pounds washing soda (Arm and Hammer). Eventually, you should reduce the percentage of salt to no more than 30-35 percent. Obviously, deer love salt, but too much is not good for them. Thus, salt is used as the main attractant so they consume the more important minerals. I have even heard of folks including 3 pounds of brown sugar to their mixture.
Although this homemade mixture will attract deer, the problem is it does not include any of the trace minerals that deer need. Thus, buying the commercial mineral products and mixing them with the aforementioned list is a tip in making your dollars go further.

It's also important to note that NO scientific paper has ever proven that mineral blocks have increased antler growth! We know it can't hurt, but do not expect to have a lot of big-antlered bucks on your property due to mineral blocks. Increased antler production comes from reducing the adult doe segment and increasing your buck's age structure.

C.J. Winand



GOD BLESS
Charlie Patrick
Eastern Ontario Guided Adventures

Edited by - SwampBuck on 09/22/2002 22:12:23