Not to Hijack.....

[Football Hunter]

Well its a thread I started ,any way.I watched the video about Antler Dirt on Grant Woods site.Sounds like a good idea,it grows bigger antlers,Right?

Wonder how much acreage you would need to really "Grow bigger antlers"?Or,are you just making a better food plot,without much if any change in antler size?

BTW,Im not against anyone,especially Richard,doing whatever they want,but I wonder if there is really a way to quantify the results?

I think it will make a better plot,jsut not to sure about bigger horns,but he sure said "bigger antlers" a lot.

 

[Jarred525]

I got my popcorn out on this one FH :)

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Of course he said it alot, better food plots does not sell product, but "bigger antlers" does.

 

[bigtex]

Well, we all know that the three things that make "bigger" antlers are age, nutrition and genetics. Soooo, theoreticaly speaking a food plot with more nutrients in the soil "should" produce more of what a deer needs to grow a bigger rack. Just don't expect it to work over night though, lol.

 

[Jarred525]

In my case, I want to make sure that the deer have all of the available nutrition they need to maximize their genetic potential. Of course, I also want to make sure the herd is at a point where my land has the capacity to support it as well.

I think this stuff would help my ridge plots produce better and cost wise would probably be about the same as what I am spending on fertilizer and lime. If I could get it somewhere close. I like the idea that it holds 4 times its weight in water, that would really help my plots in the summer and allow me to experience with some different plots on my ridge tops (to include soybeans).

 

[Andy S.]

FWIW, I too watched the clip and had the exact same thoughts FH, specifically your second sentence. IMO, the phrase bigger antlers was strategically used repeatedly as a sales pitch to garnish A LOT of attention/interest.

 

[BSK]

Well its a thread I started ,any way.I watched the video about Antler Dirt on Grant Woods site.Sounds like a good idea,it grows bigger antlers,Right?

Wonder how much acreage you would need to really "Grow bigger antlers"?Or,are you just making a better food plot,without much if any change in antler size?

BTW,Im not against anyone,especially Richard,doing whatever they want,but I wonder if there is really a way to quantify the results?

I think it will make a better plot,jsut not to sure about bigger horns,but he sure said "bigger antlers" a lot.

Although I'm extremely impressed with the product, I agree completely with the above. What does "Antler Dirt" do? It makes poor-soiled food plots far more productive from a plant growth perspective. Does that grow bigger antlers? Maybe. Increased forage volume and quality has been shown to increase antler growth on fenced properties and large unfenced properties, and I'm sure it helps the performance of those deer that eat those plants. But how much, is virtually impossible to say.

Considering I do habitat planning for living, many wonder why I don't go all out to produce exceptional summer food plots on my property. And the reason I don't is, considering the cost, and the fact that 2/3 of the deer I have to hunt each year are NOT products of my property's habitat (the move onto the property only in fall), I prefer to spend my limited management budget on things I believe are more productive.

Every situation is unique. Every property's layout and habitat are unique. In some situations, more productive summer food plots may be a big player in local deer performance. In other situations, not so much.

 

[BSK]

I like the idea that it holds 4 times its weight in water, that would really help my plots in the summer and allow me to experience with some different plots on my ridge tops (to include soybeans).

And THAT is where Antler Dirt would help your plots the most. Normally, the soils on our ridge-tops is too thin and will not hold enough moisture to grow summer crops like soybeans. Better water retention might be the difference.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Maybe, but enough to really notice? No. Better food plots though, oh ord lyeah. Im just going to have to bow out on this topic. Its not magic to make but a poster here will jump on you for suggesting otherwise. And I have started just mostly coming to this section of the forum because it is generally civil at and because I want it to stay that way,I do not think I need to even attempt to spread any information anymore.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Why not make your own mixture for less cost that will last longer. Antler dirt is chicken manure and chicken bedding composted with what appears from the descriptions to be mixed with mycchorizal fungi.

They suggest an initial application of 2 tons per acre, which would cost about $1200, then using every year at a cost of $600 applying 1 ton per acre. Keep in mind the materials they are using will break down rapidly, and will not last from year to year.

If you mix your own, you can achieve the same results for about $600-700 per acre the first year, and around $300 per year thereafter, every 5 years you would need to reapply the water absorbing material at an extra cost of $300 every 5th year.

So let's look at the long run. For antler dirt over 10 years you would spend $6600.
For the mix I have calculated, which can be customized to your soil conditions and plant choices, you are looking at $3600.

That is a savings of $3000 over 10 years for every acre of food lots. And you can customize it.

 

[BSK]

Looks like you need to go into business Diehard Hunter!

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Looks like you need to go into business Diehard Hunter!

Not a bad idea.....just no startup money. Think about it, they are selling chicken wastes for $15 for a 50# bag. Extremely high nitrogen and half rotted straw?

Lowes sells the same thing for $3.17 a bag. Buy your inoculation for $25.00 which will easily do 10000 plants and you have the same thing. All I would add is an extra moisture retaining item, which they do not add.

 

[fourwheeler431]

I know of a good place you can try your mixture out at Robert! :D

 

[SEC]

This is nothing new folks have been spreading manure over ag fields and pastures forever.Someone just named this crap antler dirt.

 

[WGK]

DIEHARD DIRT!! now that has a nice ring to it.

 

[BSK]

This is nothing new folks have been spreading manure over ag fields and pastures forever.Someone just named this crap antler dirt.

The big difference is the composting process and the additives used during composting. But yes, manure, and even chicken litter, have been broadcast into fields for generations.

 

[fishboy1]

Seems like an expensive fancy way of doing something nature has been doing for eons.

I guess its all about convenience and location.
Its more convenient to go buy a premixed product and apply than to go collect all the parts, apply, till in and wait.

I have 2 big piles of "antler dirt" composting out back from the feed lot and chicken coops. If I had a spreader, I could apply to my fields, then disc in. Fertilize, add organic matter, and retain more water all in one shot.

Its NOT convenient since I have to clean the coops, clean the feed lot, pile up, cover, mix with the tiller, cover, wait... THEN apply to the garden aka the bunny food plot.

Volume is also an issue. Those couple piles represent a lot of work and equal just enough for our 100x100 garden.