Planning to buy a few bags of monster raxx but had a few questions before I do. My property is 185 acres about a 50 50 split of ag to timber. how many mineral sites should I have? Should the sites be setup near water or on trails heading to and from bedding/ food? We will have beans planted this year. Do we need to plant anything else to help supplement the monster raxx for optimum results? I guess these would best be answered by Tom but there seems to be a ton of monster raxx users on here. What have you guys done and what worked best for you? Sent from my SGH-T959 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
You could literally put the sites wherever you want them, and the deer would still find it. I like putting mine where the most traffic is, which is also near a stand location :D As far as planting something to supplement the Monster Raxx, I don't believe there is any need for that. I have used mine in the middle of pastures, draws loaded down with oak trees, on the edge of bean fields, and they all get hit just the same.
I prefer to set mine in creek bottoms or really anywhere were there is a nice moist soil, close to water is always a good thing. Also when I make a new site I like to start to rake from the middle creating a slight depression in the middle to gather and retain rain water. Like ihunt said high traffic areas are good transition between bedding/food, converging trails, etc. On 185 ac I would prolly put out 2-3 sites. Hope this helps
Thanks for the input. I guess my next question is how big should the sites be? Should I use a whole bag at each site? Sorry if these questions seem pretty basic but I've never used anything other than the mineral blocks. Sent from my SGH-T959 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
About a five foot circle is what I do. I'll put in 5-10 lbs at a time depending how long before ill get back to check my cam or how hard they are hitting it. Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2
Here are a couple pics that will kind of give you a rough look at the size I make mine. These pics are actually on a buddies place that I got hooked on Monster Raxx I take a fire rake and clear out all the vegetation in a 3' to 5' circle, then loosen as much soil as I can (I have made them up to 8" deep). Normally, I put a full bag per mineral site, depending on the amount of usage I think it will get. If I think it will get a ton of use, I will put a bag and a half or two bags. Pour it on top of the dirt, then I mix it in with the rake. You can even pour some water over the top once everything is mixed in.
I use one site for every 40 to 50 acres. It doesnt have to be in each 40 acre piece just an average. For your ground I would do 3 or 4 sites. Beans are a great source of protein, just make sure you plant enough acres of them. Deer will mow them down before they get all of the benefits from them if you dont have enough acres planted to sustain the herd. I like to put my mineral sites by water when possible and in spots where I hang stands. I like to set up my sites just like Cole's pics but I have been using more stumps like Pat as well. When I pour it on a stump I do like to pour a bottle of Whitetail Magnet or Apple Harvest on the stump as well so the oil soaks down into the stump. I put 1 bag per site unless there is a lot deer hitting it then I will use 2 bags. I put mine out January, March, May, June, July, August and October. If you have any other questions please let me know and I will try my best to answer them.
I can honestly tell you, it has not made a big difference were I put it. They hammer it. Put by any traffic area and you will be pleased.
I got two bags of minerals and a bottle of apple attractant in the mail last week. Hopefully I will get everything out next weekend. I'll post pics of the sites and of course keep everyone updated on the activity.
With the land you describe it is similar to what we have in Ohio with regards to size and cover. There we have 3 sites and could actually use a 4th. One thing you will see is doe groups taking over your mineral sites which can cause your intended targets, the bucks, to not get the full amount of mineral they need. Or worse yet, they may end up on a neighbors site. There was a publication put out that was on EHD and things to caution and the main thing they mentioned was to not put a mineral/salt lick to where it can leach into a place where the water can go stagnant and if that water is completely open to sunlight. Appartenly the salt can kill many of the other organisms but the midge that can carry the EHD will actually thrive on a water source like that. So, our MR sites are all in areas that are in close proximity to water, and even the sites hold some water at times, but they are shaded and not where they can leach into any larger pools where the midge can thrive.
This shouldn't be an issue. I talked to the farmer that leases the property and he is planting beans this year. I think +/- 90 acres of bean should be plenty to sustain the herd. I am also going to be planting a few small plots on the field edges where deer enter the field. Sent from my SGH-T959 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
