This product is a power-packed nutritional package with ideal amounts and ratios of vitamins and minerals for optimal antler density and strength, optimum reproductive performance and healthy calves and fawns.

According to Purina, Antler Max is scientifically proven to aid antler growth, density and strength - as well as improve reproductive performance and fawn health.

AntlerMax Deer 20 with Climate Guard and Bio-LG

A deer must obtain at least 6 to 7 percent crude protein diet just to maintain rumen function. A diet of less that 10 percent protein will result in inferior animals and poor antler development. Deer need a daily diet of 12 to 16 percent protein for optimum development of bone and muscle.

Just a few weeks after a white-tailed deer or elk sheds its antlers, a new set begins to grow. Growth is triggered by increasing daylight and subsequent testosterone production. Adult white-tailed deer antlers can grow ¼ inch per day, whereas elk antlers grow about an inch per day.

The resulting antler growth suggests that not only were the deer not harmed by their high-protein diet, they actually utilized the protein to grow bigger antlers, indicating that higher protein is necessary for a buck to achieve his genetic potential for antler growth.

A higher level will not hurt the deer, it is just more protein than they can effectively utilize. The 20 percent protein feed is not designed to be fed as the total diet. It is a supplement to the natural diet during periods of nutritional stress such as antler development or late stages of gestation and lactation.

Again, once a deer herd starts consuming about 0.20 Pounds per Day per Acre of feed (after 2 ½ years or so), fawn survival should start to increase. Antler size should also increase at this time. To be precise, I have seen antlers of individual bucks respond to feed soon after the feeding program starts.

We asked a few medical experts to give us the facts on deer antler velvet. What Is It? Deer antler velvet is essentially a growth hormone called "insulin-like growth factor 1," or IGF-1.

Bottom line: Rogol says it's “extremely unlikely” that deer antler in any form could offer athletes a boost. “Deer antlers do contain growth factors,” he explains.

One of the key nutrients in a deer's diet that can increase antler growth is protein. With protein-rich food, a buck can grow bigger antlers and body mass. When a buck doesn't have a balanced diet and lacks the protein it needs, its body will prioritize nourishing muscles over growing antlers.

The best deer protein feed will also result in larger body size. Fawns need at least 14 to 18 percent protein to achieve average growth. To achieve optimal growth, they need 16 to 20 percent protein in their diet.