Mineral (and any trace of it), for the purposes of the law, are considered identically to feed. So you cant over it, near it, or influence deer movement with it for hunting purposes. If you are not using it for hunting, you can feed or mineral 365 days a year. (super grey area that needs fixed).
Specific to mineral, if near hunting locations, you have to cover it or remove the soil completely so there is no trace of mineral in the soil (See Franz buck case).
Specific to mineral, if near hunting locations, you have to cover it or remove the soil completely so there is no trace of mineral in the soil (See Franz buck case).
Hardwood11
It is going to be a good fall!
So covering it up with a tarp, a round tree ring or something like that ? Legal ?
Yeah after witnessing the huge holes they dug up even years after I put some down I stopped using mineral and then when the Franz buck thing happened I realized it wasn’t worth the risk. I did think maybe if you did go that route to put it on high or gravely spots in creeks that periodically wash out after a good rain. Think that would do a good job of washing away any after effects.
Copenhagen Tob
PMA Member
This mineral law never made sense to me, anyone who has it out regularly will notice they aren't much of an attraction during season. There is also mineral tubs in just about every pasture in the state
It is subjective & clearly I wouldn’t wanna take chances it’s “too close to where I hunt”. I do still put em out & put em so far off & do cover them. CO could likely weigh in on a particular situation.
A subjective part that’s IRRELEVANT to this discussion… if I were a CO…. I’d be writing 0 tickets on “old mineral sites”…. I’d be hammering dudes with corn piles (& maybe a salt block in em). Every CO by this time understands why mineral is put out in winter to summer vs a corn pile in the fall. Not advice here- just 2 cents tha are worth even less than that.
If u do mineral - I’d make a call to co if any bit of clarity needed. IMHO- it’s reasonable & wise for a hunter to say “I have mineral here. Here’s where I hunt. Any issue?” Or “is there something I can do so I’m not in violation”. Some folks won’t want to deal with any of that - totally get it. The side of me that does want to deal with the hassle- the benefits of mineral. To me, the hassle of one clarifying phone call is worth it. To others it’s not.
A subjective part that’s IRRELEVANT to this discussion… if I were a CO…. I’d be writing 0 tickets on “old mineral sites”…. I’d be hammering dudes with corn piles (& maybe a salt block in em). Every CO by this time understands why mineral is put out in winter to summer vs a corn pile in the fall. Not advice here- just 2 cents tha are worth even less than that.
If u do mineral - I’d make a call to co if any bit of clarity needed. IMHO- it’s reasonable & wise for a hunter to say “I have mineral here. Here’s where I hunt. Any issue?” Or “is there something I can do so I’m not in violation”. Some folks won’t want to deal with any of that - totally get it. The side of me that does want to deal with the hassle- the benefits of mineral. To me, the hassle of one clarifying phone call is worth it. To others it’s not.
LoganP
New Member
Thanks for your input! From what I've gathered if its 200 plus yards youre safe and if its within that make sure its 100% non accessible during season. Ex: removing all contaminated dirt and replacing with clean dirt, covering with plywood and barricading it, tapping, or any other creative way to make it 100% non accessible.
How does this work with people who run cattle or other livestock?
CottonwoodCanyon
PMA Member
Same story here. One site and before season I'll cover it with a pallet or two, then a tarp over top and secure it with a few stakes or big rocks.
Daver
PMA Member
Correct. ^^ After about mid-August I see essentially no activity on our mineral sites. They are full of leaves and untouched in that time frame in my experience. Honestly, I don't even bother trying to cover them up, etc, but I also don't hunt anywhere close to them either.
booneriverbucks
PMA Member
Mineral sites can be a great way to get a pond dug for free! I swear one of mine was over 3 feet deep at one point. Took a lot of dirt work to fill that in. Been awhile since I had one due to the work of getting rid of them/not wanting to be accused of hunting over one. Definitely going to start using them again since I do believe in their value.
Copenhagen Tob
PMA Member
I've got cams on all mineral sites, mostly used for inventory, majority of older class buck activity are at night. I place in bottoms like a thermal hub area.