Studies show calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, selenium, and sodium are critical for both bucks and does. Sodium chloride (salt) is especially important, as deer actively seek it out in spring to balance the high water content in green grasses.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. Vitamin K is produced in sufficient quantities by rumen microbes to meet a deer's normal requirements. Vitamin D is synthesized in sufficient amounts when deer are exposed to sunlight.

In comparison a buck that is growing antler (900 grams total weight) needs 199 grams of calcium and 98 grams of phosphorus. The take home message from this comparison is that does and bucks BOTH have a high requirement for calcium and phosphorus.

Calcium and Phosphorous These minerals are critical for deer antler growth. The University of Missouri notes almost 90 percent of calcium and phosphorous in a deer's body goes to the skeletal system. During spring, bucks draw off this abundant store in their bones to grow antlers.

Time of Day: For whitetail deer the most active times typically occur around dawn and dusk, with periodic increases in activity overnight. Plan ahead and get out there during the right time of day to increase your chances of success.

5 Best Whitetail Cartridges

• Our Pick: 85-Grain Trophy Copper .243 Win.
• Our Pick: 120-Grain Trophy Copper 6.5 PRC Muzzle Velocity: 3050 fps Muzzle Energy: 2478 ft.-lbs.
• Our Pick: 165-Grain Sierra GameKing Boat-Tail SP 308 Win Muzzle Velocity: 2700 fps Muzzle Energy: 2671 ft.-lbs.

Comparative Nutritional Data for Meats

Productive, high-protein food plots in peas, beans or lab-lab can provide up to 35 percent protein when properly fertilized and are also very palatable, so your deer are able to digest most of the protein and nutrients that they consume.

Just a few weeks after a white-tailed deer or elk sheds its antlers, a new set begins to grow. Growth is triggered by increasing daylight and subsequent testosterone production. Adult white-tailed deer antlers can grow ¼ inch per day, whereas elk antlers grow about an inch per day.

We asked a few medical experts to give us the facts on deer antler velvet. What Is It? Deer antler velvet is essentially a growth hormone called "insulin-like growth factor 1," or IGF-1.

The key to success is knowing where to pour the mineral for maximum success. If deer bed on your property, putting a mineral site near their bedding area is a great idea because they can eat the mineral when they are leaving and coming to their bed.

Many deer biologists recommend granular salt mixes that contain a concentration of 16% calcium and 10% phosphorus, and trace elements including cobalt, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, and zinc that help growing deer.

48 km/hWhite-tailed deer / Speed (Maximum, Adult, Running)

The . 308 Winchester is certainly the most successful short-action big-game hunting round in history. It's been used worldwide on everything short of dangerous game and is a perennial favorite among whitetail hunters.

The 30-06 was certified for an extreme reach of 4.75 miles, an effective firing range of 1,000 yards. Most people can't hit a barn at that range, but accidents happen, so you should know what you're shooting at and what your backstop is.

about 650 acres On average, these are generally about 650 acres or one square mile. But remember, the home ranges aren't square. As for the core area, this is the location that most the deer will spend the vast majority of their time.