Gone Hunting
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2015
- Messages
- 221
Just wondering what everyone's take is on why deer haven't been on salt much this year.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing.Its more about the salt and temperature than it is the deer. White salt will always have the strongest draw as long as deer are not deficient in a specific element. Many minerals, magnesium to name one, are very bitter. We conducted an experiment in a graduate animal science test where 38 angus cross heifers (weaned) were given access to identical 10x10 corals that each contained an identical trough filled with salt. They were side by side and neither had an advantage as far as access. One was mineralized and one was white mixing salt. They had to cross a mat that had sensor under it (late 90s technology lol). The mat simply recorded traffic into the trough. It was something like 8 or 9 to 1 preference to the white salt. Consumption in pounds was also much higher but that wasnt really measured other than us noticing it was harder to keep the white salt trough full. I cant inagine deer would be much different since they have a similar digestive system.
I know im not paying for mineral if my goal is simply to draw deer to a locationVery interesting, thanks for sharing.
Neat how the rock opens up thereEarly December and deer are still tearing up the minerals at Bear hollow
Could it be that water is closer and more readily accessible after they use the mineral/salt?Different areas see different usage from my experience. My best salt licks are near creek banks and get hit year-round. Some others get the most use in the summer, and only the occasional visit in the late fall and winter.
Where I was today, it's probably a good 75 foot drop 20 yard behind me.Neat how the rock opens up there
I should've said that the salt licks have been active for many many years and just this year a sudden decline in activity and not just on one farm but 4 farms. I was thinking in the summer maybe because of such a wet year. Who knows 2020 has been a crazy one.
I had deer licking trophy rocks this afternoon
Just wondering what everyone's take is on why deer haven't been on salt much this year.