| Getting A Head Start On Nurtrition
 If
you want to increase the overall health of the deer in your area you should
improve year round nutrition by providing food plots, adequate browse,
supplemental feeding in the winter, and minerals. One of the best times
to start thinking about deer health and nutrition is in mid-winter, because
it gives you time to start planning for late winter and spring, which is
when the deer are most stressed. If you haven't already started a nutrition
program now is a good time to start.
 Late
winter means a reduction in food sources for animals, while their nutrition
needs increase. In northern climates cold weather, high wind chills, and
damp weather cause heat loss in the animals. In order to maintain a high
metabolism to keep warm deer have to burn calories, and they must either
find carbohydrate and fat rich food, or utilize their own existing fat
reserves. Walking through heavy snow and ranging long distances in search
of foods in the winter also burns calories, which means the deer must find
food to maintain fat reserves and body heat.
In order for the bucks to get a jump start
on good antler growth they should come through the winter in good health.
But, because they use up so much energy during the rut, and lose so much
fat reserve during the winter, they come into the spring in poor shape,
which hinders antler growth. To help the bucks grow better racks, and come
through the winter in better shape, provide them with supplemental feeding.
High carbohydrate foods like corn and soybeans are beneficial to both bucks
and does in early winter. The protein content of the food at this time
should be around 12 percent. As February comes around more protein in the
form of pellets should be added to the deer feed. As natural food sources
are depleted through the winter the protein content of the deer feed should
be increased by about two percent each month until spring, when it should
reach about 20 percent.
Minerals
With the coming of spring, minerals are needed
by both bucks and does as the bucks develop new racks and the does continue
fetus growth. To adequately provide mineral for all the deer you should
have one mineral lick for each forty acres of land. The licks should be
placed in high use areas with adequate cover so that the animals readily
find and use them. Minerals are most easily utilized by deer in granular
form like Antler King, Rack and others. The minerals can be supplied on
the ground in a sheltered area where they won't be washed away, or in a
covered bin.
Food Plots
Once spring arrives the deer will begin to
seek out new green growth which you can supply through a food plot of fescue
and clover. If you don't have a food plot early April to early May
is when you can start one by planting clovers, wildlife mixtures and agricultural
crops (corn, soybeans) food plots. You can also plant pumpkins and squash,
as long as you have a way to keep the deer out until you are ready to hunt.
Many of the available wildlife mixtures contain three or more plant types
that mature at different times of the year to provide nutrition from spring
to winter; choose a brand that is designed for your area.
Water
There is one factor that contributes greatly
to the growth of the buck's rack that you can't control, water. Available
ground water, whether through rain, snow pack or irrigation is required
for plant growth and the assimilation of vital nutrients for the plants.
Too little rain means poor forage conditions for the animals, and poor
growth conditions for racks. There isn't much you can do about inadequate
moisture in your area. You can provide more watering sources on your property
by damning creeks and gullies to collect runoff water, and by digging wildlife
ponds and wells. Make sure that existing or new water sources have sufficient
and easy access for the game. Clean them out regularly to provide good
water.
| To
List Of T.R. Michels Articles:
T.R. Michels
T.R. Michels is a nationally
recognized big game researcher, speaker and writer. He is the author of
the Whitetail, Elk, Turkey and Goose Addict's Manuals; and the Deer Addict's
Manuals. He is also the innovator of the Moon Indicator, which predicts
peak monthly movement of deer and elk, based on the forces of the moon;
the Daily Deer Movement Indicator, which helps hunters decide when and
where to hunt, based on current meteorological conditions; and the Rut
Phase Indicator, which helps hunters determine the stage of the rut, and
when and where to hunt, by the current deer activity and sign. T.R.'s latest
books, available for 2001, are the Deer Addict's Manual, Volume 7: Hunting
Tactic; the Scrape Addicts Manual; and the Outdoorsman's Cookbook, Volume
1 and 2.
Contact:
T.R. Michels
Trinity Mountain Outdoors
PO Box 284
Wanamingo, MN 55983
507-824-3296
E-mail: trmichels@yahoo.com
Web: www.TRMichels.com |
|
| To
List Of T.R. Michels Articles:
T.R. Michels
T.R. Michels is a nationally
recognized big game researcher, speaker and writer. He is the author of
the series Whitetail, Elk, Turkey and Goose & Deer Addict's Manuals
and the innovator of the Moon Indicator.
T.R.'s latest books, available
for 2001, are the Deer Addict's Manual, Volume 7: Hunting Tactic; the Scrape
Addicts Manual; and the Outdoorsman's Cookbook, Volume 1 and 2.
Contact:
T.R. Michels
Trinity Mountain Outdoors
PO Box 284
Wanamingo, MN 55983
507-824-3296
Web: www.TRMichels.com
E-mail: trmichels@yahoo.com |
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