Whitetail Biology and Management

	I'm looking at putting out salt licks, as a suppliment, on the property I hunt. It's in the area of 450 total acres with mixed crops on 65% and 35% hardwoods, cedar/spruce bogs, and a swamp. It's located in central Ontario. With this amount of area, I'd like to keep cost down so I was considering agricultural salt blocks. The blocks come supplimented with either iodine or cobalt. The one block claims that it is not to be used for sheep. Is there any problem giving either iodine or cobalt to deer? How many lick stations should I set up? - Dennes Szilagyi 03/04/2004, ID=2321
	Dennes: There shouldn't be any problems using products that iodine or cobalt for deer. I assume you looking to the salt/mineral licks supplement to increase antler production? Do you know that currently, there is not any research to prove that mineral supplements increase antler production. If you want to increase antler size, trust me and shoot some more adult, antlerless does. Although mineral supplements will not increase antler size, we know that supplements will not hurt your deer herd, either. In fact, lactating does love the stuff! Thus, because mineral supplements are relatively inexpensive, I'd suggest placing them in clay-based soil every 1/3 to 1/2 mile apart. You can purchase mineral/salt supplement products at a feed store or you can use this formula (it's cheaper): 50 pounds trace mineral salt 100 pounds decal 10 pounds washing soda some folks even include 3 pounds of brown sugar C.J. Winand

	I, along with two other family members, hunt on 23 private acres. but the problem is that the land is about 35% cedar swamps and 50% good soil and 15% water ways or a water filled in ravine's. also it is really wooded with pines, oaks, maples, cedars etc. but would be a good food plot on ground that is mushy but great, made up of decomposing timbers, and other organic materials. - Shawn Shiel 12/27/2003, ID=2295
	Shawn: If I understand the question, your area is primarily marsh(?). Thus, your pH is most likely on the acidic side, say 5.0. If you plant anything, you must first make sure that the plants are comfortable in an acidic environment. If not, you most likely will have to lime the area. C.J. Winand

	*Do Mo. Whitetail Deer have a aroma/scent? Would you be able to smell them approaching? Thank You &* - Chester 12/19/2003, ID=2283
	Chester: If I may, let me re-phrase your question, "Can you smell deer?" Most definitely! This specifically applies to rutting bucks. Many of my hunting buddies make fun of me when I smell a deer prior to seeing it. Let me assure you, the musky pheromones of deer are very distinct. With a little practice, I'm sure you can identify deer prior to seeing them. Do Missouri deer smell different from other deer? I really don't think so. C.J. Winand

	*What Colleges in texas offers Whitetail Biology?* - Nick 12/18/2003, ID=2280
	Nick: As a graduate from Texas A&M (College Station), I'm undoubtedly biased. But, if I where to start over I would go to Texas A&M at Kingsville (formerly known as Texas A&I). Other notable schools include Texas Tech in Lubbock and Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches. Gig'em Aggies! C.J. Winand

	We own 80 acres in the middle of about 800 acres of prime whitetail habitat in central Wisconsin. The 800 acres is broken up into 80-120 acres plots that is privately owned and moderately hunted. I have been trying to promote QDM in my area but it is challenging because there are 7-8 land owners involved. My question is, I would like to try some antler growth supplement such as Antler King. I would need some positive, unbiased documentation that supplements can work, if I hope to defer some of the cost to my neighbors. Have you had any success with artificial supplements and will this work where corn, alfalfa and acorns are plentiful? Thank you, Rick Braun - Rick Braun 12/16/2003, ID=2279
	Rick: Your question is excellent and proves to me that you're thinking like a deer manager. In short, the use of mineral supplements to increase antler size does NOT work! Various studies around the country have proven this. If you want big antlers, shot some more adult does. But, saying that, we also know that products like Antler King will NOT hurt your deer herd either. As you probably know, there always seems to be some trace mineral missing in your soil. Thus, mineral supplements can provide for these short falls. But again, will this transfer into increased antler production? No. Although I may sound contradictory, I like and use Antler King products. Since it is relatively cheap, why not? As the research says, it can't hurt. I'd suggest placing the granular supplements in a clay based soil every 1/2 mile. C.J. Winand, Wildlife Biologist

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Be sure to visit C.J. Winand's Website - CJ is a wildlife biologist and an outdoor writer for Bowhunter and North American Hunter magazines. In addition to his writing, CJ is highly sought as a speaker on deer management topics and has worked on a Masters of Science degree in Wildlife Management at West Virginia University under Dr. David Samuel. CJ manages and guides on several quality deer management programs around the country.