Who’s got mineral sites in already?

[TheLBLman]

There are many moving parts to all these discussions,
including discussions of spreading CWD WITHIN vs. OUTSIDE a particular infected deer's range.

Among the various things we've been told about the actual "spreading"
we've been told concentrating "licking" and greater deer densities are suspected of increasing the spread of CWD
WITHIN a particular range.

An example of spreading OUTSIDE a particular range would be when an infected 18-month old buck "disperses"
from his birth area. Such a buck might acquire his CWD by "licking" his infected mom, or maybe even by suckling an infected mom.

Infected bucks' DISPERSAL (from their birth areas) concerns me every bit as much or more as the risk of "older" rutting bucks spreading CWD.

Infected bucks that DISPERSE go OUTSIDE their original range PERMANENTLY.
By contrast, Infected older rutting bucks are only outside their original home range 1 or 2 months annually (during the rut).
Also, rutting bucks do very little "licking" of minerals (as mineral licking is mostly a summertime thing).

Before any deer spreads CWD, that deer must first acquire CWD.
How do most deer acquire it?

We have been led to believe it is more easily or more likely acquired by more concentrated deer "licking".
Will fewer mineral licks decrease "licking", or just concentrate the deer more doing the "licking"?

 

[JCDEERMAN]

It's on the agenda this weekend. Cameras won't go out until start of August. Will have a few out in other locations for velvet hunt planning.

 

[fairchaser]

Not allowed in my neck of the woods due to CWD.

Yeah and it's gonna be tough to get that picture of a mature buck without mineral licks but I plan on using the old ones as I'm sure they will use them for a few more years. I'm going to obey the law but I have my doubts that they will do any good. There is no scientific evidence supporting it. It's a best guess!

 

[Snake]

Yes with just the blocks Walmart has but got some trophy rocks in the truck right now for my little place also got cameras out as well .

 

[Andy S.]

Not allowed in my neck of the woods due to CWD.

Yeah and it's gonna be tough to get that picture of a mature buck......

Even harder over time as 4.5+ year old bucks become more rare. I suspect that is already occurring, thus some of the frustrations we've experienced over the last three years.

 

[tree_ghost]

I got 2 more mineral sites installed today with cams! Hoping to start getting some pictures in the next few weeks...oh the anticipation is relentless!!!


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[tndave59]

Currently have 2 sites out and will be trying to get them refreshed within next week or so.

 

[Monk74]

Hate to bump an old thread but. With antler growth and heavy pregnant doe's or even lactating now. Mine are starting to get hit hard. I see very few bucks at my sites but my theory is, a doe contributes half the genetic makeup of every buck. Better shape she's in, the better condition that buck fawn will be in. With my homemade mix I've seen buck fawns with spots weighing maybe 30-35 lbs with chalky little 1/2 inch spikes/ buttons in September.

 

[tree_ghost]

I'm a little behind this year compared to last. I have 4 mineral sites in so far and I'm planning on another 10 across all my different places to hunt if I can find the time. Work has me running like a mad man right now but I'm not complaining!

 

[BSK]

Since CWD showed up in West TN, I've stopped using mineral sites.

 

[redblood]

I have 6 in so far

 

[gobblegrunt]

I keep mine going year round

 

[Ski]

I refresh mine in Feb/Mar and start cams same time. I like seeing bucks sprout antlers and watch them grow til velvet shed.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

I refreshed 5 and started one in a new location last weekend. Let one productive lick go due to logging and will be creating a foodplot through that area. Once we get the soybeans rolling good, I may do away with mineral licks due to CWD approaching the area.

 

[tn24]

I keep a mineral block out year round with a camera on it. The farm I hunt is 150 acres with cattle running on 75 percent of it. The woods where my mineral block and camera are is the only place the cattle can't run.

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

I freshened up 4 mineral sites with 50lb of Redmond's in each and got cameras over them. These will go on 30 day soaks before I refresh the sites and pull cards. I have 6 more sites to get installed this week for my 2019 buck inventory. I always enjoy the anticipation of the summers first card pull. Who else is finished or working on mineral sites already?


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I refresh every 6 months with 50lb bags. I got 2 to do tomorrow and several more I have to plan out on new spots. Got to get on GE and measure out distances to cover the most ground.

 

[tnanh]

How do you choose the location for a mineral lick? I have about 3 out for the last couple of years and have not seen a lot of activity. I started them on old stumps with salt and cattle minerals.

 

[timberjack86]

He's loving the trophy rock

 

[tree_ghost]

How do you choose the location for a mineral lick? I have about 3 out for the last couple of years and have not seen a lot of activity. I started them on old stumps with salt and cattle minerals.

Lots of different ways I come to the conclusion of where to place my mineral sites depending on the layout of the property I'm on. If I'm given the chance I like to put mine closer to bedding areas to try and get patternable intel on the comings and going's of a particular deer. If the situation won't allow for me to set them there then I will put them close to a suspected summer food/water source. I will still get pictures of the deer in that area which gives me great census data on my area but I feel that this information is not as usable for me and my hunting style when it comes to converting the camera information on a buck into a tangible tool I can use to kill him. I typically find that a mineral site will cover 50-100 acres pretty adequately.

 

[TN Whitetail Freak]

How do you choose the location for a mineral lick? I have about 3 out for the last couple of years and have not seen a lot of activity. I started them on old stumps with salt and cattle minerals.

Last few seasons I've observed the bucks I have been getting on cams and mineral licks cover about 200 acres. One case in 2020 I had 2 licks 1600 yds apart or just shy of 1 mile. Where I was picking up the same bucks on the two mineral licks, the only difference was time they hit the mineral. One was between. 7-10 am probably close to bedding. And the other one they'd show up 9pm-12midnight never earlier. So now I place one lick every 150-200 acres and it's use is inventory only. I started on Google earth and outline the property and start drawing 150-200 acre range rings to cover ground and get the most inventory across the land. Last season I had 3 licks 400 yds apart 800 yds between the 2 outside licks running n-s. The center cam had every deer the north and south lick had on it so this year instead of 3 licks across 135 acres I'll just run the center lick and believe it'll show the deer within 200-250 acres