Old phosphate mining properties?

[RKenney]

I don't know what it is, but it seems like deer that are taken
on old phosphate mining lands produce good bucks. I always
thought that the phosphate mineral had something to do with good
antler development. I posted about this one time, and several
hunters said that this mineral has nothing to do with antler
growth.

The only explaination that I have is that, if the land is
unclaimed, there is a tremendous amount of nutritious cover that
go hand in hand with each other.

Could the phosphate residue have anything to do with the plant
growth and the nutrients that the plant might contain?

I guess it would probably take a plant scientist to figure this
one out, but I have seen the results. I just don't know the
answer.

 

[BigGameGuy]

Quite possible. There are similar examples of the same thing happening around lime quarries.

 

[plinker22]

Every time I see the dusted "white hills" around Crab Orchard exit, I think the same thing.

 

[Radar]

The phosphate lakes sure are fertile for bass . I would think the soils would be fertile for deer as well .

 

[CopperHead77]

I think you're on to something RK! Be interesting to see if anyone has done any kind of studies on this.

 

[sc8point]

I READ SOMEWHERE THAT PHOSPHATE HELPS THE DEER USE CALCIUM SO INDIRECTLY IT HELPS GROW ANTLERS.IT SEEM TO WORK BECAUSE SOME OF THE BETTER BUCKS AROUND HERE DO COME FROM OLD PHOSPHATE MINES.

 

[Boone 58]

Interesting!

 

[RKenney]

I did a search on the computer about deer antler growth and
phosphate. It was very interesting and it answered alot of my
questions. I know there is always an explanation behind an
obvious observation and my own experience.

 

[Coleman]

This topic is very interesting to me because in Nov. of 08 I had a fellow tell me he puts out mineral and phosphorus blocks all year long,if ya'll had seen some of the buck he has taken over the years you would understand why it interested me so.

 

[RKenney]

I guess a study would say that it is just a coinsidence, that
bucks grow (not seem to) bigger antlers and bodies on these type
properties. I have several decades of memory and facts in my
mind, but I can't back it up....with a chart or a graph. Even if
I did, it would probably be discredited by someone with some
type of biology degree.

There are numerous facts that have been observed in the
whitetail world.....that can't be explain or proven by the
most intelligent and acclaimed biologist....in the world.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

RKenney, Were you abused by a biology teacher when you were small? Why the harsh words? In fact the Phosphorus cycle is one of the more simple cycles there is. It is also one of the slowest. It is very well understood, and is available in even the most basic of biology books.

Phosphorous is stored in bones. If you think of bone as being your bank account for your body, then it makes sense. Alot of phosphorous (or calcium) and the bank account grows. In deer the bone is constantly putting minerals into the bank account and taking them out, much as you do with your paycheck and paying bills. However, in antlers, it is a one way street. Antlers grow when lots of phosphorous is available in green plant material. However, they harden (no longer living bone) before the body needs to call on its reserves of phosphorous (The plant material is no longer available).

 

[RKenney]

Diehard Hunter,
Thanks, you answered my question. By the way, no I wasn't abused
by a biology teacher when I was "small". I guess it's because I
was never small (ha,ha)!

I didn't mean to sound like I was bashing biogist. I have alot of
respect for them. I guess I was thinking about somethings that
are obvious, and they don't need a 5 page report to figure it
out.

 

[BMan]

This topic is very interesting to me because in Nov. of 08 I had a fellow tell me he puts out mineral and phosphorus blocks all year long,if ya'll had seen some of the buck he has taken over the years you would understand why it interested me so.

Where can you get a phosphorous block? Co-Op?