How to Make Your Own Deer Minerals CHEAP!!!

A lot of videos on this subject are outdated due to prices, but this updated video shows you how to mix your own high quality minerals for your deer herd at a fraction of the cost of retail products.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I have added an update to this video to my channel with updated ingredients that are easier to find. Go to my main channel to find the newest video! Be sure to like, comment and subscribe!

[@zacherygraham8912]

I just found out that my granny has 3 lots down by the river in a abandoned neighborhood due to 90 foot flood back in 2016. The lots are near two hunting leases now. My grampa use to hunt there on the lots until his stroke 2 years ago. I just took the lots over a month ago. Using corn, but been researching other ways to benefit the deers/ my hunt next year! Found this recipe online and searched it on KZbin. Came across yours and I’ll be doing the same for years to come! East Texas is my hunt! Hope you had a great season!

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

Good luck this year. I promise you the deer will hammer this mineral as long as you keep it down.

[@lonniechartrand]

I use a cement mixer to mix my minerals and salts. I make some pretty big batches at one time and store them in 5 gallon buckets.

[@rickyrunner7619]

I use a 5 gallon bucket full of corn and water it down stir mix add water as needed for two weeks then wet again this time add a pack of flavored jello mix to bucket of corn wet it again stirring it good and put it out and happy hog hunting an old time hog hunter taught me this and it works well

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

Yes that is an attractant/feed mixture, but doesn’t do anything for them as far as minerals go. That Jello trick does work though. It’s like the C’mere Deer corn soak stuff.

[@CarnivoreNomad]

I am glad I found this video... I can't find Dical anywhere around me, so I plan to use this recipe for my first year of doing mineral site. Wish me luck.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@CarnivoreNomad good luck! I think you’ll be impressed with it. I also have an updated video with some substitutions on ingredients if you have difficulty finding them, especially the dried molasses.

[@CarnivoreNomad]

@@saponycreekoutdoors7743 I was able to order 50 lbs of the dried molasses from Walmarts website surprisingly. I watched you other video, and saw that you used the Trace Mineral Salt instead of the Fine Mixing Salt... what do you think about getting the trace mineral salt AND the fine mix salt and using 1 part of each instead of 2 parts of one? I am worried the General Mineral might not contain enough mineral... I may also be overthinking, because I do that A LOT, haha.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@CarnivoreNomad j think you’d be find mixing both salts. Just be careful with adding too much mineral because it is so bitter that they may not eat it well without enough salt.

[@tnc5473]

I need to do the same thing on my farm in Alabama. I may actually try following this recipe just like you and see how it does

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

Let me know how it does!

[@berjo77]

Looks like your work will help me to put a good plan together!

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I hope it works for you. It has really worked well for me. I will say that if you cannot find the dried molasses, look at the Buck Bourbon 110 to substitute. It works great as well.

[@chrisreetz4117]

You can get a 2 inch auger. For About $20. Goes in a cordless drill. It mixes it up super fast and really well

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

Yeah I started mixing each part up and shaking it up as I’d go, then repeat. No idea why I didn’t do it like that for the video! Lol. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@scottknotts4119]

I have 2 5 gallon buckets and just pour the mixture into the empty bucket and then back into the other bucket, seems to mix up nicely

[@kenmaurer4743]

​@scottknotts4119 that's what I'd do..wondering why he just didn't mix it one bucket full into empty bucket..do that several times

[@scottknotts4119]

@kenmauer4743, I try to work smarter, not harder.

[@jppoutdoors]

I’ve been using big 6 minerals from tractor supply and have mixed it with the pride brand you are using as well. We have to be careful with molasses here in the south because of fire ants

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I haven’t had any issues with the ants getting into it here in NC, and we are loaded with them here.

[@scottlafeir]

I use a similar mix in ohio , I add trace mineral salt as well , and a small portion of dia calcium phosphate it’s the expensive part .

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

Yeah the minerals that I’m using has the di-calcium phosphate in it and the mixing salt is trace mineral salt. The deer are hammering it!

[@tommywatson4822]

What is a small portion. 20lbs or more of the dical Thanks

[@scottlafeir]

@tommywatson4822 we use a folgers coffee can , mix 1trace salt, one fine salt,one molasses, 1/3 dia cal.

[@tommywatson4822]

@scottlafeir thank you and thank you for sharing.

[@joshfluharty5083]

You can make a feeder that deer will basically feed themselves. Just use a 5 gal bucket with a lid and a chain. They will learn to come shake the chain to get their food

[@JohnThomas-gj2zg]

I would like to see some photos if you have any yet ....

[@traviskelly5480]

I use a mineral similar to that one and I also feed peanuts roasted soybeans and corn in my gravity feeders

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

Your setup is exactly what I want to use. Minerals + the soybean/corn mix in a gravity feeder! Good luck this upcoming season.

[@carlkelley326]

I use the same salt and mineral but I just use sugar get a 50 lb bag at Sam’s work’s great

[@robertpetrich8933]

Any updates on how well it worked? I could not find a video on your channel with the trail cam pics.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I may put a new video together as a follow-up. The minerals worked great as far as getting hammered by the deer. It’s hard to say at this point how beneficial this mix has been, as it normally takes several years to see a major impact.

[@kenmaurer4743]

I use a goat mineral supplement..has same ingredients as deer minerals..10 bucks for a 25# bag..

[@xrpeacemaker6437]

Where are good places to buy that?

[@kdtaylor3284]

Also 1 part Dicalcium phosphate, non-medicated for your lactating does.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

This recipe has a sufficient amount of Dicalcium phosphate in it, which is included in the general mineral meal. Thanks for the comment!

[@patricktotzke7643]

Stock salt, trace mineral salt, di-calcium phosphate (di-cal), dried molasses.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@patricktotzke7643 which is in the video. The general mineral meal has the dicalcium phosphate and other valuable minerals in it.

[@andrewwaldron6012]

Where do you find the dried molasses?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I got everything through Tractor Supply. If you can’t find it locally, they carry a product called Buck Bourbon that has a strong molasses odor. Substitute the dried molasses with that if you can find it.

[@Jeremy-NYFAM]

What size bucket was it you were using?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@Jeremy-NYFAM I believe it is about 2 gallons.

[@NCsurfer607]

So just wondering if you tried the trace mineral salt instead of your fine white mixing salt ?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I didn’t because the minerals that zi used have all the minerals you’ll need. The minerals have a bitterness to it that they don’t like. The salt makes it more palatable for them, so I didn’t want to add more minerals to it.

[@NCsurfer607]

@@saponycreekoutdoors7743 oh ok sounds gd

[@joshmoore7260]

Do you have any feedback as if the deer hit the site much, and are you able to compare the health of animals from one year to the next?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I have trail cam pics of them hitting the site hard when I put it down. Unfortunately my Tactacam broke and stopped working for a long period of time, but the site was still cleaned out. This was my first year using it, so I don’t have anything to really compare it to from before yet. I would imagine that it takes a few years before really seeing a major difference.

[@griz5178]

where do you get the dried molasses

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I got all of my stuff from a local Tractor Supply store, but it must be a seasonal item that I lucked up on. If you can’t find it, buy a bag of the Buck Bourbon and substitute it. That stuff has a lot of dried molasses in it. Tractor Supply carries that stuff too.

[@rlfamilyfarm6488]

Any updates? Any mold issues you noticed?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I have seen no mold issues at all. Ironically, I have tried to use Big and J as well as sweet feed for horses before and it molded within days. I am thinking that the salt must help preserve it longer or something. I have multiple sites established and the deer love it. I have also supplied my friends with buckets of it and the deer have been hitting it non-stop. It is something that you should freshen up once a month in my opinion, but they will dig once it is all gone.

[@rlfamilyfarm6488]

@@saponycreekoutdoors7743 made a mix that was similar and it molded fast. Thanks for the update, I may adjust my mix a little bit. I do add some calcium, hopefully strengthening the lactating does if even just a little.

[@wapsieriverratfishing]

Gonna get some of this stuff and do the same!! Can't stand the price of blocks anymore!!

[@flhunter65]

Just subscribed. Any updates on how they are using the site?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

The deer are really hammering it right now. I’ve mixed some up for some buddies of mine to TRD for me and they had bucks hitting it the same day they put it out. They said the deer are eating way faster than some commercial mineral attractants they’ve used.

[@jimmymiller9299]

I also add di calcium to my mix

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

This mineral mix has dicalciun phosphate in the minerals I used, and the percentage is plentiful

[@2013mjt]

Any updates on how well this worked for you?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

The deer hammered it as long as I kept it out. I freshened my sites up once per month up until the rut and they still hit it afterwards. I have no gauge to tell if it improved anything yet, as that can take years, but I plan to use it this year too.

[@2013mjt]

I tried the exact same mixture here in Central Ohio but have not had much luck with it yet. Has only been on the ground for roughly two weeks but they don't seem to be taking interest in it. I will give it some more time and update. @@saponycreekoutdoors7743

[@josephricks5204]

Did you get all of this from TS in Rocky Mount?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

Yes

[@phillipcook2941]

Thanks for the video. Where are you located?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I’m in Eastern North Carolina.

[@nubiangod10]

​@@saponycreekoutdoors7743 I know I can get everything but the dried molasses from tractor supply. Where did you find yours?

[@maindrol]

Will the sweet smell of the dried molasse attract bears ?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@maindrol if you are in bear country, I would bet money on it. Now, whether or not a bear will eat minerals and salt is a whole other discussion and one that I have no idea about.

[@scottlafeir]

I used a bag of goat mineral early this season and deer hit it every day in ohio as well

[@kenmaurer4743]

It's what I use..

[@johnmartin9090]

Studies show that feeding menerail on the ground increases deer parasites. Should maybe feed from a stump or feeder. Also check out the Green Cover seed company fall and spring release blend. The food plot will save you tons of money and make for health deer too. God bless and happy hunting. Great mineral mix I'm sure the deer are going to love it.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I have hunted for 40 years and have never heard this. Can you share links to these studies? Sometimes I think people read too much internet and think it’s gospel. Deer eat nearly everything on or out of the ground, so I personally don’t believe this.

[@johnmartin9090]

@saponycreekoutdoors7743 sure eating from off the ground is no issue but deer will not stop at the surface when it comes to mineral or saturated dirt. The parasites I'm referenced lay in the dirt. Didn't you say in your video if anyone had anything to add you would love to hear it ? May you have like to hear what you want to hear for the last 40 years. God bless you and good luck. 👍 Be sure to cook that meal well done. And ask yourself why people don't feed their horses and other stock from the ground but use feeders , buckets and other things to keep the feed out of the dirt.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@johnmartin9090 I did say that and I didn’t tell you not to post, but asked for a reference. I’m simply saying that I don’t personally buy into the rhetoric that deer get parasites from eating minerals off of the ground. Dogs get parasites even after eating out of a stainless steel bowl and drinking fresh water. If you have links to prove me wrong, then by all means post them up. Good luck to you as well this season!

[@dougroberts3643]

@johnmartin9090 Thank you for spreading this relatively new information to the public. I wish I knew how to share a link with the creator of this video because he definitely doesn't want to stop what he's doing. Unfortunately, he and people like him will eventually devastate our deer herds. Hopefully he took it upon himself to do some research on this topic instead of claiming he knows everything because he's been doing it for 40 years

[@charlesrhea6810]

How do you keep the hogs from eating all your mix? Thanks🤔😵‍💫

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I don't have hogs here in my area. I doubt there's a way to keep them out once they find it though.

[@ronny8383able]

I watched video and hog will destroy them, need to build something off the ground unfortunately, im in the same situation with hogs.

[@rags8855]

10mm

[@Day12My]

7:55..Wouldnt it have made more since to mix as you added the ingredients?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

LOL...yes!!! I have started to do that as I go now. I think we can all look back and see some of the dumb moments we've all had. That was surely one of mine! LOL I've been waiting for someone to point that out on here. Thanks for the comment and view though. I appreciate it.

[@carylynch1563]

I have had a hard time finding the molasses. Where did you get it please?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I bought all of the ingredients at a local Tractor Supply in NC. If you can’t find the molasses, you can also use the generic containers of grape, cherry, etc. of Kool-Aid or even Jello.

[@carylynch1563]

@@saponycreekoutdoors7743 Thanks for your reply. Is there a brand and name on the molasses? I got all my salts and minerals at tractor supply here in Oklahoma but the people there didn't know about the molasses. Thanks again for your help.

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

No. The dried molasses came in a plain brown paper bag, but it was sold by Tractor Supply. You can substitute by adding in generic Kool-Aid or even the Jello packets as an attractant.

[@KDOGGER11]

Any chance you could put links to the 2 minerals your using?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-general-purpose-mineral-50-lb www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/champions-choice-mix-n-fine-salt-50-lb I couldn't find a link to the dried molasses, as it was probably a no brand product. It was in a plain paper bag but was 50 pounds.

[@ronny8383able]

Feeding deer should start late December, because a deer can die from sugary molasses-laden feed introduced later in the winter. In addition, a deer is at risk if it is given too much food abruptly. I read this researching molasses

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I seriously doubt that a few scoops of powdered molasses mixed into the soil will kill a deer. Feeding deer can be done year round, but deer feeding is only supplemental to their regular diet.

[@dar1652]

Dump from one bucket into another will help you mix

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I just shake the bucket as I mix each ingredient now. Don’t know why I didn’t do that when I hit record! Lol

[@catfish340d]

Where can I buy Dry molasses

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I got it at Tractor Supply. If you can’t find it, substitute with a product they carry called Buck Bourbon.

[@danieljaeger9800]

Just dump it from one bucket to another like mixn a Bloody Mary

[@aeestep77]

Does tractor supply sale the dried molasses?

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

They do carry it, but as some comments show, it is difficult to find and not all stores carry it. If you can’t find it, pick you up some Buck Bourbon deer attractant and substitute it. It has a lot of dried molasses in it.

[@aeestep77]

@@saponycreekoutdoors7743does TSC carry the buck bourbon? I think I’ve seen it before but can’t remember where

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@aeestep77 yes, they usually carry it in the store, but you can also order it online and pick it up if it has to be delivered.

[@pensnut08]

No... They "SELL" it.

[@aeestep77]

@@pensnut08 southern states had it. I bought some from there works great

[@Grier0628]

Where did you get your molasses from? I cant locate any dried in that form

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I actually found mine at a local Tractor Supply Store in N.C. I do not know if this was a seasonal item or what, but it was packaged in a plain brown paper bag as you can see in the video. The next time I am in there I will ask and post on my update video.

[@bryanmcleod9346]

Dude, just pour it from one bucket to another a couple of times to mix it. Your welcome!😅😮😂

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@bryanmcleod9346 I realized how hard it was once I got started mixing! lol…now I just shake it all up as I add each ingredient. I have a newer video up with updated ingredients, so be sure to check that out. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@CentralMississippiWhitetail]

Could’ve made the video around 2 minutes. Make it short

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

I appreciate the comment. I do try to keep the videos short but also explain what I'm doing and why. That's hard to do in 2 minutes, especially on a "how to"

[@hotz718]

Great video thanks for explaining

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

@@hotz718 thanks for checking it out. I appreciate it. I hope it helps

[@salt-team-six5883]

You do NOT want deer to be eating soil!

[@saponycreekoutdoors7743]

Deer absolutely eat dirt. Whether you put down minerals or not, the deer will seek out minerals that they are deficient in and consume it...oftentimes through ingesting dirt. But I do plan to keep my sites fresh with this recipe so that there's always fresh minerals there for them.

[@sirwilliam7988]

That’s a fact. Dogs do the same thing.

[@bryanmcleod9346]

I found a trench that always had deer tracks on the 48 acre parcel I hunt in Fla, and thought it might have been made with a tractor. But after pouring some loose mineral for cattle in it, they went crazy! I've come to the conclusion that this spot is where salt blocks were placed for cows, and the deer have actually eaten the dirt there for the remaining trace minerals. I also poured it over pieces of old lightened knots, and they moved it around by locking it, between refreshments. We used to see deer on the RR tracks alot, and my buddy's dad told us they licker the ballast rocks.