If you're like most people who hunt deer, hunting isn't merely a sport to you. Although it's a great way to get some outdoor exercise, it's also a great way to put meat on the family table. Venison is leaner than beef, and it also doesn't contain artificial growth hormones and other additives that may be unhealthy. However, few things are more frustrating that coming home empty-handed from a hunt, especially when there are plenty of off-limits does and fawns in the picture but not one sign of a mature buck. Fortunately, there are ways that you can maximize the potential of attracting mature bucks to your land. Here's what you can do to help ensure successful hunting in the future.
Add a Water Feature
One of the most common reasons deer only stick around long enough on your land to do a bit of grazing before moving on is a lack of water. Adding a water feature such as a small pond will help ensure that deer don't wander too far afield. However, it's important to make certain that the pond has a filtration system to help keep the water from becoming stagnant.
Add a Mineral Lick
Four-legged herbivores typically require a certain amount of minerals, especially during the months between March and September when their antlers are developing, and whitetail deer and other cervids are hardwired to do what's necessary to grow the biggest possible antlers. Antlers are used in mating rituals as male deer fight over available females, so the bigger the antlers, the better the chance the males have of passing on their genes. Although several things, such as nutritious, abundant forage opportunities, factor into optimal antler development, minerals play a big role in the creation of big antlers. Providing minerals also promotes overall herd health.
Add a Food Plot
You probably already know that deer are opportunistic animals that will eat pretty much anything growing in your home garden if given the chance, but they'll even more attracted to food plot plantings that contain the type of forage that grows wild in their natural habitat. Make sure that anything you add to your food plot for whitetail deer is a native species to your particular region — otherwise, you run the risk of introducing vegetation that may prove to be invasive. Whitetail deer typically like grasses, fruits, and nuts. Maintaining a food plot may even have the added benefit of keeping the deer out of your garden.
