Deer survey on a property

[hughedj1]

Just curious about your thoughts on using corn in the summer to get an idea of the deer inhabiting your area? I know that corn isn't a good source of nutrition for the deer but just curious as to your thoughts. Also, would mineral blocks be as efficient at getting an idea of deer numbers as corn. (just seems to be a better alternative)

 

[BSK]

Just curious about your thoughts on using corn in the summer to get an idea of the deer inhabiting your area? I know that corn isn't a good source of nutrition for the deer but just curious as to your thoughts. Also, would mineral blocks be as efficient at getting an idea of deer numbers as corn. (just seems to be a better alternative)

That depends on your local deer. I've been performing and experimenting with baited and unbaited camera censuses since the baited camera census technique was first described in the scientific literature (February of '99). I have observed situations in TN where salt-licks perform far superior as camera census bait than food sources such as corn. However, I have also seen situations where only food-based bait produces good results. The two "patterns" in those camera bait-site preference I've noticed are salt licks performing poorly in very sandy soil, and food-based bait performing poorly where high-quality agriculture is available. In addition, salt-licks tend to perform well as camera bait in acidic clay and loamy-clay soils.

 

[hughedj1]

The two farms that I have permission on have the sandy soils that you were talking about on one and agriculture on the other.
Had noticed around the ag fields the minerals had seemed to work well, but not on the other farm. Which food style baits would you use typically that would be better for the deer and still give me a good count on the sandy soil farm?