I've seen mineral licks for sale at Gander and just wondering what they're mainly used for? Attracting deer to an area? Getting an idea of the herd? Also, how long do they last and when is the best time to put it out? Thanks for the help in advance!
Minerals are good for general health and development(racks-bucks...unborn fawns-does)...deer hit them hardest during spring and summer and are great for seeing whats out there. About this time of year they have tapered off the consumption considerably. However they do work as an attractant still to a point especially if your area is mineral deficient. You can purchase one now and put it out, but check legality of this, and it will still be bringing deer in next summer(depends on size of block and also attract occasional other critters) though you may want to consider if you are going to be hunting there next year as to if it will really benefit yourself or someone else(as on public land).
Thanks! Yes, I'll be hunting there for awhile. The spot I hunt on only has about 15 acres of woods and mostly corn fields and some apple trees. The only choices I have is on the fence line to the opposite 40 and on the field line. Not much to work with and just trying to increase my odds.
with apples already there you might want to try the apple flavored block if they have it...or just crush some apples on/over it. ONe other thing you should try is a mock scrape to attract bucks and does. btw - I use regular livestock salt with trace minerals loose in the bag(not blocks) due to MI regulations on baiting, and also the salt/minerals with selenium for part of the year as our area is deficient in selenium(they don't need much of it though). Check with local farmers(livestock feedstores often know as well and if they got it in stock there is prob'ly a demand) or local soil conservation district office to check on selenium needs/usage.
Just looked it up and baiting in my county is illegal. When you mentioned the livestock salt - is this kind of a loophole? Does it not count as deer baiting?
you'll have to search out the legal description of 'bait' in your states regulations....until about 10(maybe little more or less) years ago it was a loophole here in MI and many years ago it was illegal to hunt over mineral blocks. You may be able to put out minerals as a suplement as long as you are not hunting over it but will have to check on minimum distance you are allowed to be when hunting then. *from MDNR regulations: "Bait" means a substance composed of grains, minerals, salt, fruits, vegetables, hay or other food materials, which may lure, entice or attract deer as an aid in hunting. Baiting may occur only from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1. Bait volume at any hunting site cannot exceed two gallons. Bait dispersal must be over a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area. Bait must be scattered directly on the ground. It can be scattered by any means, including mechanical spin-cast feeders, provided that the spin-cast feeder does not distribute more than the maximum volume allowed. To minimize exposure of deer to diseases that may be present, the DNR recommends not placing bait or feed repeatedly at the same point on the ground, and only baiting when actively hunting. thing is it is impossible to pick up or remove the salt/minerals once they have leached into the ground so I load up the sites this time of year and the deer will dig for them later on...I have seen very old mineral licks(30-50 years +) that the deer have a hole dug down 5 ft.
