The National Deer Association noted a University of Georgia study found 11 different minerals in whitetail antlers. The top four included calcium (19 percent), phosphorus (10 percent), magnesium (1 percent), and sodium (0.5 percent). Other trace minerals are also necessary.

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.

Nevertheless, when it comes to the most evidential sources, Calcium and Phosphorus are the most important; these two minerals are the main constituent for bone and antler development. There are also other minerals that serve a vital role, some not as evidential.

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant thought to play a role in eyesight, liver function, hair growth, heart health, skin health and cell division. This element also has a strong influence on antler development and sperm production, which likely is at least part of the reason the breeder provided it in excess.

Growing antlers are composed mostly of proteins (80 percent by weight); whereas hardened antlers contain roughly equal amounts of proteins and minerals. Studies have shown that calcium and phosphorus are by far the two most common minerals in deer antlers, comprising 30–35 percent of the mature antler by weight.

Antlers are made of bone, and covered with "velvet" - a thin, soft layer of skin and blood vessels that gets scraped off the antler over time. Later in the year, those antlers are shed, making room for a new set to grow in.

The growing antler is 80% protein (dry matter basis). Fawns require up to 20% protein to support growth and antler pedicle development. After weaning through the next year, buck fawns fed a 16% protein diet had larger antlers than those fed 4.5% and 9.5% protein diets. This is true for two-year old bucks as well.

And you want a water source nearby. So it gets absorbed into their body a lot easier i have a stream about 100 yards. Away that's the main water source on this property. So i'm going to put it here.

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.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral important for the maintenance of homeostasis in animals and humans. It evinces a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and potential antimicrobial capacity. Selenium biological function is primarily achieved by its presence in selenoproteins as a form of selenocysteine.

Selenium forms part of a number of enzymes and other proteins in animal tissues. In particular it is a component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX). This enzyme inhibits and destroys naturally occurring peroxides that cause cell damage.

Antlers are made of bone, and covered with "velvet" - a thin, soft layer of skin and blood vessels that gets scraped off the antler over time. Later in the year, those antlers are shed, making room for a new set to grow in. That's why hikers will occasionally find antlers laying on the ground, discarded by their owners.

Antlers are costly to grow, but necessary during the deer breeding season or rut. As the rut starts, males continue to rub their antlers on vegetation to scent mark and begin sparring with each other to determine dominance. Dominant males may offer an antler to young males for sparring.

Developing antlers have blood vessels underneath a velvety skin, which can help to regulate an animal's body temperature. Large antlers might also attract mates and intimidate rivals because healthier elk will have larger sets. Bull (male) elk use their antlers to fight each other for mates and territory.

Animals in the deer family grow antlers. Antlers are branched bones that are shed every year. In midwestern states, white-tailed deer, elk and moose have antlers. Unsurprisingly, the largest antlers are found on the largest deer species - moose! Other North American animals with antlers include mule deer and caribou.

Hardened antlers are high in minerals, mostly calcium (about 20 percent) and phosphorus (about 10 percent), in addition to a lot of trace minerals such as zinc, copper and manganese. Phosphorus, which is commonly deficient in many soils and plants throughout the US, is particularly critical.