Salt licks

[BSK]

Just got my new salt licks in place. Will be interesting to see how long it takes the deer to start using them. These are in new locations that have never had licks (although not a deer alive remembers where my old ones were).

 

[CATCHDAWG]

I only have one established lick on my property that's been there for several years. It's been getting absolutely hammered for a few months now. Going through trophy rocks every two or three weeks.

 

[AlabamaSwamper]

BSK

Did you stop your licks at some point?

I've seen deer find them post logging and use them until the pines opened up again at which point they were found by us 10-12 years later. One reason the no salt rule is dumb.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

We got ours refreshened 3 weeks ago. And they had already really been in them. What made you decide to put them out again?

 

[Fordman]

I don't know about your area but mine have generally taken a couple weeks depending on moisture.

 

[Fire_Medic890]

Just got my new salt licks in place. Will be interesting to see how long it takes the deer to start using them. These are in new locations that have never had licks (although not a deer alive remembers where my old ones were).

What are you using?

Mine in AL have been getting hammered since mid March. Whenever I start a new one though, 1-2 days and some type of deer has found it.

TN I have no experience. Against the rules at my club here in TN.

 

[7mmWSM]

Ive never really put one out this late in the summer. It possibly still works fine. The best luck I've had on new salt licks is to get them out in Jan. I start with just a plain white block. They'll hit them quick in my case then I come back about this time of year and add a trophy rock. About Aug 1st I'll put a camera on them.
If it's an established lick I do the same way starting in Jan.
Good luck BSK going forward on yours.

 

[Snake]

Just got my new salt licks in place. Will be interesting to see how long it takes the deer to start using them. These are in new locations that have never had licks (although not a deer alive remembers where my old ones were).

You sure about that....the ground usually stays saturated for a long time ...I've seen them visit a site I've quit refreshing for years . Not doubting your word though brother I value your opinions highly .

 

[mcbuck58]

I've had two salt/mineral licks in the same places for 10 years. Put out a white block, a brown block and a trophy rock at each location twice a year. Couple years I've done it 3 times a year. Doesn't matter could probably do it once a year. When the blocks are gone they just eat the dirt. If you look below the deer you can see where there is no vegetation running downhill. It's about two feet wide and 20 feet long. Last fall one day had 3 bucks and 11 does there eating dirt out of the hole and the area running downhill all at the same time. If you want to start a new one or spruce yours up buy trophy rock 465 in 30lb bag. Dig a big hole and mix the bag with the loose dirt in the hole. After it rains the dirt settles in and gets hard. The deer just love it.

 

[7mmWSM]

You sure about that....the ground usually stays saturated for a long time ...I've seen them visit a site I've quit refreshing for years . Not doubting your word though brother I value your opinions highly .

I've seen that many times especially in old cattle pastures.

 

[Ski]

I'd guess within 24hrs you'll have at least a deer checking it out. Within a week it'll be as if it was always there.

 

[tree_ghost]

This week is when I start really looking hard for a big one. Mineral sites that can be located tight to bedding and ideally close to a reliable water source has been highly effective for me in doing so. Good luck BSK!

 

[BSK]

BSK

Did you stop your licks at some point?

Yes. Concern over CWD influenced me to abandon my licks maybe 10 years ago. Deer used those sites for several years afterwards, but I haven't seen the old sites being worked for quite a few years.

 

[BSK]

We got ours refreshened 3 weeks ago. And they had already really been in them. What made you decide to put them out again?

Lowered concern over salt licks spreading CWD, and the inability to run a late summer camera census without salt licks. Trying to find locations that bucks frequent as part of their daily routine (an unbaited census) in August is an effort in futility on my place.

 

[BigAl]

In 2020 I stopped my licks due to CWD. They are still getting used. I filled in my largest one with dirt as it had gotten pretty deep. They still hit it.

 

[Whitetaillane8]

Don't forget to get the new salt lick license before you put one out.

 

[BSK]

What are you using?

Just Trophy Rock. I've had very good results with it in the past. Although I used to have problems with the rocks melting away fast because deer would eventually eat a hole in the ground, and the rock would sit in standing water. So this time I cut artificial "stumps" of cedar to put down first and I perched each rock on one of these "stumps." That should keep the rocks from sitting in water.

 

[BSK]

You sure about that....the ground usually stays saturated for a long time ...I've seen them visit a site I've quit refreshing for years . Not doubting your word though brother I value your opinions highly .

They did use the sites for years afterwards, but after 10 years, they are no longer using them. And some have been bulldozed away (now under a food plot).

 

[BSK]

Don't forget to get the new salt lick license before you put one out.

Ha!

 

[backyardtndeer]

They will find it fairly quickly, and begun using it. My best results here were always with trophy rocks.

 

[BSK]

As long as I can get regular usage by the beginning of August (when I start my census), I'll be happy.

 

[Ski]

I cut artificial "stumps" of cedar to put down first and I perched each rock on one of these "stumps."

That's how I do mine. It works very well at extending the life of the rock. Deer still eat a whole around the base of the stump that turns in to a water hole but as long as the stump stands the rock itself stays dry.

 

[Snake]

As long as I can get regular usage by the beginning of August (when I start my census), I'll be happy.

I've been told they use it once it becomes hot as it is now . Not that they don't use it periodically but continuous use will quit once it gets colder has been my experience. Sitting over a salt lick IMO is only good for mostly bow hunting and real early muzzleloader seasons .

 

[Biggun4214]

Some of the old trap sites at Chuck Swann were so deep the deer would walk under the sides of the box traps.

 

[TheLBLman]

They did use the sites for years afterwards, but after 10 years, they are no longer using them. And some have been bulldozed away (now under a food plot).

In my and many areas, there are just so many "old" salt licks scattered around that I believe deer simply move to the next one that provides the most salt for their least efforts.

In other words, ceasing to replenish "my" existing salt licks did little if anything to reduce the spread of CWD, as deer will still find old licks.

Never mind that it likely never mattered much to begin with regarding whatever was or is going to happen with CWD's effects on any localized herd. I suspect CWD was going to spread or not, whatever speed or not, with or without our replenishing our salt licks. Too many other vectors for spreading CWD.

 

[redblood]

I fixing to pickup 500 poundss of salt today

 

[redblood]

They will find it fairly quickly, and begun using it. My best results here were always with trophy rocks.

I have sone trophy rocks, trace moneralozed, and white stock/mixing salt . Straight white salt is the strongest draw for me

 

[BSK]

I've been told they use it once it becomes hot as it is now . Not that they don't use it periodically but continuous use will quit once it gets colder has been my experience. Sitting over a salt lick IMO is only good for mostly bow hunting and real early muzzleloader seasons .

For the many years I ran censuses off salt, in my area does used the salt heavy right after giving birth in June and for duration of the time they were nursing. Bucks would start pounding them starting late July, as they were mineralizing their antlers. After bucks had shed velvet, usage slowed into the fall months. Although I would see fresh use of the licks all year round.

 

[BSK]

In my and many areas, there are just so many "old" salt licks scattered around that I believe deer simply move to the next one that provides the most salt for their least efforts.

In other words, ceasing to replenish "my" existing salt licks did little if anything to reduce the spread of CWD, as deer will still find old licks.

Never mind that it likely never mattered much to begin with regarding whatever was or is going to happen with CWD's effects on any localized herd. I suspect CWD was going to spread or not, whatever speed or not, with or without our replenishing our salt licks. Too many other vectors for spreading CWD.

Agreed.

 

[BSK]

Some of the old trap sites at Chuck Swann were so deep the deer would walk under the sides of the box traps.

Yup, over the years, some of mine got really deep. The one below started with the salt on top that root wad. The deer eventually ate it down until it was a hole in the ground instead of a mound.