re: Putting out mineral blocks and stuff like that.

As said above, don't use blocks. The deer can't get enough minerals from a block to be of any benefit to them. You need to establish sites by digging out a good sized hole, mixing minerals with the dirt that you dig out and then refilling the hole with the mixture. It will depend on how deficient your area is on how often you have to replenish your site. The deer hammer my sites on my lease in south AR. On my land in west central AR they don't hit the minerals as hard.

I will start putting them out in the next 2-3 weeks. This gives the deer time to start getting what they need well before new antler growth and lactation.

I've had good luck with Imperial Whitetail 30-06. If you go this route just use the minerals, don't spend the extra money on the + protein. If you have a place to store the everything you can mix your own for much cheaper. Here's a recipe off of the QDMA site that I've used


Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. for about $23.00

1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag.

2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $5.00 you need two bags.

1 part Stock salt, ice cream salt.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $2.00 you need one bag.

Directions:

-Use a 3 pound or similar size coffee can to use as your measure for each part of the mix.

-Mix all together well but not until read to use, keep ingredients separate until ready to put to use.

-Dig or tear up a circle in the soil about 36 inches wide and about 6 inches deep.

-Mix your mineral mixture with the soil.