Ask The Biologist

Block Buster

Block Buster

By Bob Humphrey

Mineral blocks are great, but so is improving natural protein sources.

QUESTION: Should I put out salt and/or a mineral block to help deer in a CWD area? I mix my own minerals and vitamins so deer are healthy to fight CWD.

ANSWER: Blocks can be a beneficial means of providing deer with supplemental minerals and vitamins to improve their health, particularly if certain elements are missing from the soil, and therefore the vegetation deer consume. However, you’re better off if you can find a way to improve the availability of those elements to deer by improving habitat. Blocks and supplemental feed tend to concentrate deer into smaller areas, which increases stress and the possibility of spreading disease. While it has yet to be empirically proven, many scientists believe concentrating deer increases the spread of CWD.

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