Wish we could just to at least get inventory but its illegal in illinois. Apparently to stop the spread of cwd, which, have to give credit where its due, they have done a good job of so far.
It is illegal here in Idaho to hunt over or nearby to any "attractant" other than liquid scents. Food of any kind, mineral of any kind. That being said, every archery elk season I find several illegal salt licks that people have put in. They find an old stump and pour a bag of salt all over it, usually in the Spring so rains will dissolve it. It draws deer and elk in really well, the ground is always really torn up around them. They go after it so much that usually the whole stump's root system is exposed and the ground has a noticeable divot. I have found sites that people have salted year after year and it looks like a small pond has been dug. They are doing it more to attract game to a spot they intend to hunt though, rather than for antler growth. But can say that salt sure really attracts them in our area.
I've been putting out TROPHY ROCK for almost 10 years now .... not a bunch ... only 4 on a small piece of property and they are all gone by summers end ... b4 putting them out in the beginning all the bucks antlers were ratty looking and now I see nice antlers on a number of bucks so I say it has a positive effect ... I'm not permitted to plant any food plots so all I do is the mineral block and pass on all young bucks and definitely notice an improvement ....
Here's the thing thought, Trophy rock has less minerals other than salt in it than any leaf material out there nearly. Trophy rock is essentially a chunk of salt mined out of a salt mine with trace minerals of course as any rock has.
FTR - I strongly believe that mineral supplements - actual true well balanced minerals essentially fill a potential void or deficency that your deer may or may not have. I believe that truthfully it assists greatly the female deer, especially the mommas lactating and feeding their young in an otherwise time frame their bodies are trying to recoup and rebuild what winter and their fawns took from them.
Not yet anyway. Doesnt mean it isnt here. Lack of mature bucks on my cameras has me kind of concerned though. Had a bunch this time last year. Ill be talking to some guys from a little further south pretty soon but they had a wetter summer than we did so i would guess they’re ok.
