Location/Type of Salt/Mineral Lick

Well, EHD is contracted by biting midges. Unless the minerals have midge repellent in it, then it most likely had nothing to do with the deer living.

The thing is, there is nothing conclusive that shows minerals actually work. I guess I'd rather spend my money on something that is proven nutrition to deer, like food.... rather than blowing a bunch of money on a whim.

 

If your soil is deficient in the minerals that the deer need, then your food plot will also be deficient in those minerals as well. The foot plots pull those minerals from the soil. So, you can spend money on a mineral supplement or you can spend money on fertilizer for your plot. My guess is, it's probably cheaper to run a mineral site than it would be to fertilize your food plots.

When the deer no longer need the minerals, they stop using them. That's why they generally stop hitting a mineral site around September.

Here's another theory that I have about salt. Clearly the deer do not need as much salt as what would be provided in a traditional salt lick. They will take in way more than they need because like you and me, they like the taste of salt. When their body gets an excess amount of salt, I believe it makes their antlers more brittle. I cannot show you a study that proves this, it is only by observation. Since I have switched from salt licks to Monster Raxx, the number of busted up racks has greatly decreased. Again, there could be other factors involved, but to me, it makes perfect sense.

 

So if minerals prevented your deer from getting EHD why did Mark and Terry Drury, Bill Winke and Grant Woods have die offs from EHD? Those guys take care of their deer better than anyone I know and place out minerals.

 

Not every deer that contracts EHD dies, a deer with a very good immune system might be able to fight off the infection, where one that has a system that is already stressed might not be able to fight it off. Honestly, I think it's a decent theory that should be looked at. In two years of sever EHD, I have only found one dead doe on my property that I would contribute to EHD. I just thought I was lucky, but who knows.

 

JMHO whitetails are a lot like humans when it comes to health, the healthier you are the more likely you can fight off different infections and diseases. I take a multivitamin every day knowing some of the vitamins/minerals will pass through me if my body doesn't need it.

 

Bio Rock and Trophy Rock are the minerals of choice for these folks. I would honestly classify these as salt attractants.

 

Cheap old salt or whatevers on sale for a photo op here. Never thought about extra bone do to some fancy mineral. Well until WI banned it anyways preseason.

 

never said you were...I was noting in person convos. Sorry for that confusion.

For me personally I see no benefit of a salt lick over a Monsterraxx site (or something truly comparable)....both get me awesome pictures but the one also has added potential benefits of getting possible minerals/nutrition in the deer that they otherwise could be lacking.

I am not a normal hunter though....you are talking about a guy who makes specific bedding areas and single beds and carries hay, leaves or pine needles in for them to lay on

 

Trophy rock is over 90% salt I bet some salt blocks or bags have less....just sayin. I don't personally buy that this would make or break an EHD outbreak but I guess it could minimize it if the deer are healthier.

 

I don't have a constant supply of flu vaccine in my body (don't do that) however ever since changing my lifestyle and eating habits I have been sick I believe 1 time in a year and a half (just jinxed it I am sure) but it is common thought that healthier body wards off viruses or sicknesses better. So while no study proves or disproves the thought it does make sense no doubt.

 

I'm not telling you that I can prove minerals fight off EHD, but as Sky said healthier deer have a better chance of fighting off any sickness than one that is not as healthy...

I have been managing deer for 20 years.. I do what time tested practices have proven effective to me...

You spend your money on deer food..

I'll keep growing a healthy deer herd that is vibrant and lives up to its potential.

 

Well this thread got out of hand quick... Appreciate all those that contributed to my original question.