Contact Sanctuary

CALL

(231) 972-7722

EMAIL

SANCTUARY@SANCTUARY-RANCH.COM

OFFICE

8529 100TH AVE

STANWOOD, MI 49346

Our History & Nutrition

Background

Located in central Michigan, Sanctuary Ranch is legendary within the deer hunting industry. Founded in 1978, Sanctuary has become the Mecca of whitetail deer hunting enthusiasts. The ranch is approximately four square miles in size with high hills and gullies, thick hardwood slash and cedar swamps. The Sanctuary has intensely managed whitetail deer for almost thirty years.

Our incredible harvest records are the result of over 30 years of intensive deer management. Above all, these whitetail deer are born and spend their entire life in a wild environment. As a result, this native Michigan whitetail deer herd has become world-renowned. Renowned biologist and outdoor writer Larry Weishuhn said that these were some of the smartest and most elusive whitetail bucks he has ever hunted.
The Sanctuary is the best – bar none! So don’t waste another season looking for the whitetail deer hunting experience of a lifetime. The time has come for you to experience the best. The time has come for you to visit the Sanctuary.

AntlerMax is a protein technology. This patented nutritional delivery system provides a substantially higher quality protein to growing deer antlers. Feeding Deer Chow with AntlerMax will result in deer antler growth of unprecedented speed, size, and mass. But, there’s more to the story than the deer being “bigger” and “faster”. AntlerMax delivers proprietary types and ratios of essential trace minerals that specifically target the needs of growing deer antler tissues resulting in optimal antler density and strength.

SECRET OF SANCTUARY RANCH

Today, we recognize the need for assisting nature in enabling whitetail deer to grow into healthy adults. With a basic understanding of the digestion, feeding behavior, life cycles, and nutritional needs, you can take an active role in promoting the growth of healthy does. By practicing proper deerfield management, and therefore providing the proper nutrition for these whitetail deer we can assist nature. We want does capable of producing future generations we all can enjoy. We also want bigger bucks supporting impressive antlers.

Deer are related to other ruminant animals, such as cattle and sheep. For this reason, it was once believed that deer could be raised and maintained on hay and grain. But, unlike cattle or sheep who are grazers, deer have a smaller stomach compared to their body size. The smaller stomach not only affects the type of food a whitetail deer eats but the frequency of feeding as well.

In general, all deer prefer high-protein, energy-rich plants. For example, whitetail deer prefer to eat browse, leafy plants and acorns over more fibrous grasses. But, as opportunistic feeders, they will make due with what is available. Deer diets change as plant availability and quality change with the season of the year. This digestive adaptability is one reason deer survive as well as they do. But, it takes a few weeks for changes to take place. Deer adapted to a winter diet of highly fibrous food can actually be harmed by well-meaning sportsmen or landowners who put out corn or hay to get them through the winter.

SECRET OF SANCTUARY RANCH

Today, we recognize the need for assisting nature in enabling whitetail deer to grow into healthy adults. With a basic understanding of the digestion, feeding behavior, life cycles, and nutritional needs, you can take an active role in promoting the growth of healthy does. By practicing proper deerfield management, and therefore providing the proper nutrition for these whitetail deer we can assist nature. We want does capable of producing future generations we all can enjoy. We also want bigger bucks supporting impressive antlers.

Deer are related to other ruminant animals, such as cattle and sheep. For this reason, it was once believed that deer could be raised and maintained on hay and grain. But, unlike cattle or sheep who are grazers, deer have a smaller stomach compared to their body size. The smaller stomach not only affects the type of food a whitetail deer eats but the frequency of feeding as well.

In general, all deer prefer high-protein, energy-rich plants. For example, whitetail deer prefer to eat browse, leafy plants and acorns over more fibrous grasses. But, as opportunistic feeders, they will make due with what is available. Deer diets change as plant availability and quality change with the season of the year. This digestive adaptability is one reason deer survive as well as they do. But, it takes a few weeks for changes to take place. Deer adapted to a winter diet of highly fibrous food can actually be harmed by well-meaning sportsmen or landowners who put out corn or hay to get them through the winter.

TODAY’S RANCH

Deer nutrition is affected by physiological needs. Bucks have different nutritional needs at different times. For instance, protein demand is high during antler growth; energy demand is high during the rut. A doe’s nutritional demands are highest during the last third of her pregnancy to just before weaning. Fawns, who triple their birth weight in the first three months, are most demanding in the first six months of life. Each stage of the life cycle is influenced by nutrition.

Nutrition is one of the major factors affecting the health and productivity of deer. Providing deer with a consistent diet that meets their seasonal physiological needs increases the nutritional level of the herd. This allows each deer to reach its genetic potential. A well-planned supplemental feeding program can lower fawn mortality, decrease post-rut mortality in males and encourage the growth of bigger bucks with superior antlers. Supplemental feeding can also compensate for variations in nutrient value and availability of natural range and forage. Deer experience less stress when they are provided with a good quality diet year-round. This is especially true during high demand times such as pregnancy, nursing and antler growth.

TODAY’S RANCH

Deer nutrition is affected by physiological needs. Bucks have different nutritional needs at different times. For instance, protein demand is high during antler growth; energy demand is high during the rut. A doe’s nutritional demands are highest during the last third of her pregnancy to just before weaning. Fawns, who triple their birth weight in the first three months, are most demanding in the first six months of life. Each stage of the life cycle is influenced by nutrition.

Nutrition is one of the major factors affecting the health and productivity of deer. Providing deer with a consistent diet that meets their seasonal physiological needs increases the nutritional level of the herd. This allows each deer to reach its genetic potential. A well-planned supplemental feeding program can lower fawn mortality, decrease post-rut mortality in males and encourage the growth of bigger bucks with superior antlers. Supplemental feeding can also compensate for variations in nutrient value and availability of natural range and forage. Deer experience less stress when they are provided with a good quality diet year-round. This is especially true during high demand times such as pregnancy, nursing and antler growth.

Contact Sanctuary

SANCTUARY RANCH TROPHY ROOM

GOLD HUNTING AT SANCTUARY

For hunters who seek a top record book gold buck, the Gold Medal Hunt is considered a whitetail hunting fantasy without equal. When you set foot on our ranch, you will be entering a distinguished trophy environment. At Sanctuary Ranch, more record-class gold bucks can be found than anywhere else on earth.

Contact SanctuarY

CALL

(231) 972-7722

EMAIL

SANCTUARY@SANCTUARY-RANCH.COM

OFFICE

8529 100TH AVE

STANWOOD, MI 49346