Deer Factory: Supplemental Feeding and Minerals

Supplemental feeding of deer, including the use of mineral stations is an often-discussed and often controversial topic.

In this Deer Factory segment, Dr. James Kroll talks about the use of supplemental feeding and mineral sites.

It's important to note that supplemental feeding is a very different practice from baiting. Supplemental feeding is done on a year-round basis and is done with the intentions of enhancing overall deer nutrition while baiting is done primarily during hunting season with the intent of bringing deer to a hunting location.

Where legal, supplemental feeding and the use of mineral stations is an important and beneficial piece of the overall management puzzle.

When choosing a feed for supplemental feeding purposes, be sure to read the label and check the ingredients. The same applies for minerals. Kroll recommends a mineral that contains higher levels of calcium and phosphorous and no more than 35 percent salt content.