This is only my 2nd year of having a mineral site, so I am not at all an expert. Last year I started my site with some feed mill recipe mineral mix. I started it the first week of April 2011 and the deer hit it right away gradually tapering off through the summer. I got a couple of bags of Monster Raxx from Pat Howard and mixed them in. I immediately tripled my pics. The deer were hitting it consistently throughout the fall. I refreshed the site again the first week of April this year and put the cam up. Week 1 - 126 pics, week 2 - 119 pics, week 3 - 102 pics and week 4 - 197 pics. Things I have noticed: 1) Deer LOVE Monster Raxx! 2) At the start of April, both bucks and does start using the minerals. 3) Mid month there is a bit more doe activity. 4) End of month, some bucks but mostly doe activity. The bucks are still there but the does are really hammering it. I'm assuming it has something to do with them preparing to deliver their fawns. I am anticipating heavier buck use during the coming months when antler growth really starts kicking in. What are your thoughts and observations?
I agree with everything you wrote Greg. I also have photos of the mean old does running the bucks off the mineral sites right now. I will say all my sites are getting hammered right now ! Thanks the post !
Mine are getting hammered as well. I have nothing to compare it too but I'm happy with what I see. http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?p=457092 My 80 acres of hunting land thread Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Ive focused on having my minerals just outside of doe bedding areas since they're gonna be dropping little ones before long. I do have several secluded buck minerals sites setup but im waiting another couple weeks before checking them. They're absolutely tearing the Monster Raxx apart!
I put out 2 new sites last month and went out yesterday to put out cams over them,and so far no tracks at all in them guess it may take awhile for this piece of ground.Lots of tracks on the trails next to the minerals I sprayed them with some raxx spray yesterday when i put the cams up so i still have hope for this spot. My other farm the deer hammer my mineral sites going there next to put up my cams now that t-season is over.
I have two sites out right now (also a first time user) that I put out around April 18th. One site only had 35 pictures or so (albeit a few cool ones of a gobbler and a doe together) when I checked last two weekends ago (the 28th). The other had 235 pictures:D Not sure what the major difference is between the two areas as both are locations that had decent activity in the past with other minerals. However, the site with 235 pictures was WAY more than I've ever gotten in that short period of time. I'll be purchasing a bag or two and starting a couple more sites. I'm happy with what I'm seeing so far.
I just put out a couple cameras last wednesday for the first time since I pulled them all. I was worried about mushroom and shed hunters taking them while they tresspassed I will be checking them tomorrow after a week. Looking forward to sharing some pics.
Here is an interesting series of pics. This is the buck in my avatar. I believe that he is going on 7 years old this year. He approached the mineral site and triggers the cam (IR). He hesitates, then comes back. Satisfied that it's "OK", he comes in. Very cautious buck.
Couple more shots. Pair of bucks Close up! Successful mushroom hunter. Turkey blind in background. Group of does.
Funny how an older deer reacts to any trail camera ! The mushroom finder didn't seem to mind the camera ! I must have missed the invite !
