Supplemental feeding question

[Mathews Hunter]

I have read the cons of the supplemental feeding of deer. Spreading disease and how it could not be beneficial for many reasons. As far as spreading disease at a supplemental food site, would the same not happen at a salt lick? I could see more salvia being transfered from one to another at a salt lick, than I could at let's say, a pile of corn. The question just hit me this morning and I am curious to everyone's thoughts.

I do plant food plots but I do not participate in the supplemental feeding of deer. Just curious.

 

[BSK]

The high salinity of a salt lick will kill bacteria and viruses through several processes, from dehydration and crystaline formation rupturing cell walls, to unravelling/uncoiling DNA/RNA. Basically, the high salt content of the environment renders infectious agents unviable.

However, there is one major concern, and that is CWD. CWD is not spread by a living organism. It spreads by prions, which are not "living things" but simply short strands of ammino acids. High salinity environments appear to have no effect on prions hence I would not recommend salt licks in CWD areas. There is no proof a salt lick could spread CWD, but it is theoretically possible.

 

[BigGameGuy]

The pH levels at salt licks are not condusive to maintaining many of the vectors which cause disease. In other words, most bacteria and molds, won't survive on the salt lick.


I guess I'm a slow typer...

 

[Mathews Hunter]

Thanks for the replies. I kind of thought that might be the case.

 

[Boone 58]

cool