Minerals

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/Mineral%20brick%20deer?
I have a few questions about using mineral... not only for the health of the deer to provide nutrients they may not get constantly, or enough of, but in more of the "attracting" scheme of things, do you think it would keep more deer coming back, especially of they're lacking certain nutrients, that corn can not provide?
i just want to get the THF's take on mineral blocks.. i guess the Why to or Why not to...
Thanks

I put out trace mineral blocks and I try to keep them up off the ground, where pigs can't get to them. Deer like them a whole lot more that way. They seem to barely touch them if the pigs have been playing rugby with the block. On my place they definitely keep the deer hanging around a bit longer before wandering off.

That being said, some of the block stands I've seen for sale at feed stores are outrageously priced for what they are. I don't weld, but anybody with basic welding skills could fab something up out of scrap iron.

IME deer will seek out mineral when they need it and not on a regular basis. I was a seminar once where one speaker spoke about a study they had started on mineral sites but ended it due to lack of funding. I think he was 2 yrs into it and his photos from the sites varied on he months the deer from one year to the next. So with his short study he concluded the deer only used them when they needed them. I have had limited results with minerals in the past but I feed protein year round. Other that only fed corn had better results while some had zero results on minerals. My best usage was loose deer mineral mixed with soil in a hole in the ground. I have guys bury a good deer mineral block in a hole and cover it with soil then pour a bucket of water over the location. Other just set the block or put the loose minerals in a tub in the feed pen. Whatever you do I would keep so the hogs or cattle can not get to it. If you keep mineral out for cattle then the deer will probably be using that site.
That block your referenced is actually not a bad block for mineral ratio and content. It is actually priced fairly well for that block also. If you use it don't be shocked if the deer don't touch it right away.

Thanks for the replies, great answers. Knew i could count on you two.

Replaced one today and decided to take a picture. This is after 1 year, maybe less. No cows on the place.

We put out the trace mineral blocks as well.
They get good use by mule deer, whitetails, and the elk.
They all were using the cattle mineral sites before we started so that told us mineral was warranted.
We place them in areas cattle are excluded.
We also put out some 30-06 mineral that the elk like but deer not so much up here. The trace mineral blocks get hit by all.

We have had a mt lion issue last 2 years so the draw of the deer may have other effects for you as well.

I buried a 50 pound bag of salt before. Deer hit it for months.