Growing antlers are composed of 80 percent protein, but minerals combined with other management practices remain vital contributors to their development.

Story and photography by Bob Zaiglin

The distribution of a supplemental feed source for deer is a common practice across the state.  Its benefits to deer, along with a plethora of other species, are widely recognized.

Its most ostentatious benefit is its impact on increasing antler size.  The advantages of providing white-tailed deer a high protein supplement have been documented by a number of peer-reviewed research projects.

I was actually privileged to conduct the first supplemental feeding project in the state as a graduate student at Texas A&I University back in the mid 70’s.  The initial findings of that two and a half year long research project were when deer were provided higher levels of protein in their diet exhibited higher fawn survival rates and rapid weight gains.

Now 46 years later, the practice of supplemental feeding deer a balanced diet with crude protein levels in excess of the 16 percent they actually require definitely augments antler size.  But even though this fact is well recognized, landowners and management-oriented deer hunters are beginning to investigate methods of providing deer a mineral supplement that works synergistically with their ongoing feeding practices in their attempt to augment antler size even more.

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