Salt Licks??

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Our first open water episode airs in 3 weeks!

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Now we are talking!

What should I do to prepare a mineral lick? I have two 50 pound salt licks to use.

not much… I usually set one across the creek behind the house… run the mower over the tall grass, set the block down…. the deer will keep the grass down from then on

i like to dump salt on stumps if possible other wise i cut a log off and put some grooves in it dig a small hole that will hold some water and dump the salt on that probably not perfect but thats how i do it

To begin, you will need to go to your local feed store and purchase three bags of ingredients Stock Salt, Trace Mineral, and Di-Calcium Phosphate. All can be purchased in “loose” or granulated forms in 50-pound bags. You will need two bags of trace mineral and one bag each of Di-Calcium Phosphate and Stock Salt. Make certain you keep all three ingredients separate until ready to use.
Once you’ve decided on a location to start your mineral lick, preferably a site where deer frequent already, you can begin to mix your ingredients in a large bucket, wheel barrow or trash can. Use a 3-pound coffee can to measure each of the ingredients.
Take two, 3-pound cans of Di-Calcium Phosphate, two 3-pound cans of stock salt, and four 3-pound cans of trace mineral and mix the ingredients together with a shovel or other garden tool. Make certain the ingredients are mixed well. This formula will give you 24-pounds of mineral to put into the ground the first time you make your lick. You can cut this recipe in half to freshen your mineral lick every three to six months.
At your predetermined site, dig a whole large enough to accommodate the 24-pounds of mineral mix you prepared plus the dirt you removed from the hole. Mix the mineral mix and the dirt together and fill the hole. This will take a little effort but will make your mineral lick much more effective than if you just dumped it into the hole and left the dirt out. Wait for a couple of good rains before you go back to check your new mineral lick.
It shouldn’t take long before the deer begin utilizing your efforts. Before you know it they will be digging out the hole you made. Over time, I’ve had mineral licks large enough to drive and park an ATV in. Your four bags of ingredients will make 200-pounds of basic mineral supplement and the total cost of all three ingredients should be under $25 in most parts of Missouri.
WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE
Printable version
Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. for about $23.00

1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag.

2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $5.00 you need two bags.

1 part Stock salt, ice cream salt.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $2.00 you need one bag.

Directions:

-Use a 3 pound or similar size coffee can to use as your measure for each part of the mix.

-Mix all together well but not until read to use, keep ingredients separate until ready to put to use.

-Dig or tear up a circle in the soil about 36 inches wide and about 6 inches deep.

-Mix your mineral mixture with the soil.

***Be sure to follow your states regulations on qty***

Clear the area of debris (grass, leaves, branches etc…). With a shovel, dig a shallow depression and loosen the soil. I would chisel some of your salt block and mix it in with the loose soil. I also like what Gut said above and put some salt on a stump so that the deer can find your mineral lick. Some deer will not start using the salt lick until it dissolves into the soil and this takes time. Once you get it going, you can use the same salt lick year after year and you would be amazed how big it gets.

one of my better ones started along time ago 1988 i believe the tree was standing

some lazy s.o.b needs to mow that too much fishing time i guess

Welcome to In-Depth Outdoors hunter93

I do mine somewhat similar to Gutone.

WF, thanks for the Tip and Mixture!

Waterfowler I saw that recipe a few years ago and tried…I picked up all the stuff from mills fleet..I no longer use plain salt blocks as the deer love these mineral holes and seem to hit them more…but hunter when I used block I would put them on a stump as well and also dug a hole, put a shallow pan down, filled it with dirt and put the salt block on top of it..The deer would usually have all the dirt ate come fall inside the shallow tub as it held the salt better I thought….Good luck what ever you do…Jay

I also have a two pound can of deer attractent powder. The directions say to use half a pound of powder for every 50 pounds of salt. It says it will help the deer find it faster. Shoult I give using this a try on my lick? Thanks to all

you can but dont worry they will find it if there are any deer in the area i dont use blocks and if i do i bust them up just my way of doing it

welcome aboard hunter93

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To begin, you will need to go to your local feed store and purchase three bags of ingredients Stock Salt, Trace Mineral, and Di-Calcium Phosphate. All can be purchased in “loose” or granulated forms in 50-pound bags. You will need two bags of trace mineral and one bag each of Di-Calcium Phosphate and Stock Salt. Make certain you keep all three ingredients separate until ready to use.
Once you’ve decided on a location to start your mineral lick, preferably a site where deer frequent already, you can begin to mix your ingredients in a large bucket, wheel barrow or trash can. Use a 3-pound coffee can to measure each of the ingredients.
Take two, 3-pound cans of Di-Calcium Phosphate, two 3-pound cans of stock salt, and four 3-pound cans of trace mineral and mix the ingredients together with a shovel or other garden tool. Make certain the ingredients are mixed well. This formula will give you 24-pounds of mineral to put into the ground the first time you make your lick. You can cut this recipe in half to freshen your mineral lick every three to six months.
At your predetermined site, dig a whole large enough to accommodate the 24-pounds of mineral mix you prepared plus the dirt you removed from the hole. Mix the mineral mix and the dirt together and fill the hole. This will take a little effort but will make your mineral lick much more effective than if you just dumped it into the hole and left the dirt out. Wait for a couple of good rains before you go back to check your new mineral lick.
It shouldn’t take long before the deer begin utilizing your efforts. Before you know it they will be digging out the hole you made. Over time, I’ve had mineral licks large enough to drive and park an ATV in. Your four bags of ingredients will make 200-pounds of basic mineral supplement and the total cost of all three ingredients should be under $25 in most parts of Missouri.
WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE
Printable version
Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. for about $23.00

1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag.

2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $5.00 you need two bags.

1 part Stock salt, ice cream salt.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $2.00 you need one bag.

Directions:

-Use a 3 pound or similar size coffee can to use as your measure for each part of the mix.

-Mix all together well but not until read to use, keep ingredients separate until ready to put to use.

-Dig or tear up a circle in the soil about 36 inches wide and about 6 inches deep.

-Mix your mineral mixture with the soil.

***Be sure to follow your states regulations on qty***

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We have these all over, the recent pics i just put up off my trail camera are over this mixture

My bad…. I thought he had 2 blocks…. That would be alot of chipping….

Skip the salt, if you want to attract deer, use a quality mineral, such as Antler King or something similar. These have very minor amounts of salt, but have high amounts of nutrients that the deer (and other animals) need. Deer get more than enough salt through their normal food/browse routine. It may cost a little more, but well worth it IMO to supply something that they need and is good for them, than to give them something that does more negative than positive.

do you use attract on stumps like you can with slat?

another thing i really like is buck jam i use the apple flavor

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do you use attract on stumps like you can with slat?

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I find an area which has good cover and is close to water. Clear out a 6 foot square area, with a rake, and dump it on the ground.

so i live right on a river. and they just got out a huge area. Do i pore the whole bag or what.