JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
Gotta start somewhere, Tony.
Fishbonker
Life Member
risto2351
Well-Known Member
Gotta start somewhere, Tony.
Yep I know. That is what I am afraid of.
Fishbonker I have a few plots that are very small.
If the deer came pouring in there it would be the same as a mineral lick.
As social as deer are it really does not make a difference if they have it
the rest will get it (CWD) mineral lick or not.
sureshot
The Hunt Never Ends....
I'm not sure what you're talking about, but deer don't socialize. Never heard of it.....ban mineral sites and and putting corn out, and that will stop the spread of CWD.....look at how well its worked in other states that have tried it (sarcastic)
JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
Yes, it is difficult to talk about, knowing that people are set on doing anything they feel will "help" the deer.
I made the decision last year to stop putting out minerals and there was only one year (1991?) that I planted ever a true wildlife food plot. Part of my decision to quit putting out mineral was the proposed ban, figured it would take a year or two for the deer to clean up what was in the soil. When a person gets hundreds of pictures a week over a lick, doesn't that say that you are unnaturally concentrating deer? How many pics would you get if there wasn't mineral there?
I have gotten pics of some pretty sickly deer visiting the lick. Now you can argue this both ways, saying that exposure to a disease can stimulate the immune system and survival of the fittest will kick in, only helping the herd. Or, in the case of a long term illness, it just perpetuates it.
Another reason I quit was that we were getting a fair amount of crop damage. How can I complain about crop damage when I was "baiting" the deer onto the property with mineral licks? I've even moved the livestock mineral block inside the barn to prevent it being an attractant to deer.
Then there is the whole baiting issue, with the law being vague in regards to whether you are gaining an advantage by hunting where you do in respect to the lick. I'll feel better when the lick is no longer active, since then it will be natural movement of the deer. Last year, I obtained permission for a new piece of ground. I knew there was another person with permission. I decided to do a quick scouting trip. I happened to spy a double stand in a tree, so being curious as to why they chose that spot, I walked over to it. Not 20 yards away, I saw a huge bare spot/depression and it was obviously a lick. I left the property, never to return. The owners were allowing hunting to thin the deer due to landscaping plant damage and someone was drawing deer onto the property.
Everyone needs to make up their own minds about the mineral lick, don't figure I'm going to change anyone else's mind and could care less if I do. For me, I'll miss the trailcam lick pics but that is just selfish on my part. The deer will get by just fine without any "help" from me.