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Mineral Licks?

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ncbowhunter

New Member
When is the best time to put out the mineral licks like whitetail institute 30/06, etc. Do you guys have any ideas of licks or any thing that really helps antler grow? I have a few food plots that I plant but want to use either some licks or Biologic Deer feed. Any help would be great!
Thanks
 
I know I'm a non-resident here, but somebody has to have some ideas or opinion! If this helps I have family in Truro!
Thanks
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NC, I'm certainly no expert, but I would say to put them out around March or April during the beginning phases of antler growth. I would think that the longer the bucks recieved the minerals, the better off they would be for antler developement. Just my guess. I haven't done this though. I just circle my tree with salt blocks.
Just kidding.
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I freshen my mineral sites year round, the way I see it a deer can always use some help. Make sure your stand sites aren't near them and you should be ok. Check your state laws for hunting over bait. They are great spots for trail cams though!
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The best times for mineral and salt licks I've read and experienced is right when the deer start coming out of the winter browse eating patterns and start to eat new growing plants. With the change in their diets, they will start to crave salt and minerals that they haven't got in months. That might be different from region to region though. Good luck

Xtec
 
You might try moving this Post to the QDM forum. I am going to put mineral out for the first time this year and was wondering the same thing.
 
I don't really know much about licks, but however put them out early spring, or when you see them losing their antlers. With mineral licks, that will imporive there antler growth for bigger deer. To me, it doesn't really matter what licks I use, just use any kind that I can find will get the job done!
 
I agree with 12 gauge's reasoning, but I think you'll have more luck trying to establish them right now. First, deer will probably take to some sites and not others. Second, it will give most of your bucks a chance to find it and take a huge stress off of them so they enter growing season in prime condition.

As for what to use, I'd just try different things. If it's got a good blend of nutrients and the deer like it, you should be good.

Good luck!
 
Want to do it cheap and easy? Buy a livestock salt/trace mineral block and go set it outside right now. The deer like it when the rain/snow melts the block into the dirt. They will paw and eat the dirt right out from under the block. I've only done this once for deer after I saw them do this to the mineral blocks we had out for our horses. Granted, there is probably better mineral mixes specific for deer, but I said cheap and easy, didn't I?
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Great info guys, keep it coming! I am thinking of using whitetail institute 30/06, and maybe some Lucky Buck. Has anyone ever used these products?
Thanks
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I got to thinking about mineral licks after posting and with what I know of CWD, I'm not sure if establishing a mineral lick is in the deer herd's best interest. I think it would be best if they got their essential nutrients from a green food source. As usual, cheap and easy is probably not the way to go.
 
I go the cheap route and use granular livestock mineral & salt (I buy a 50lb bag of each) at Farm & Home. I just mix it in the dirt with a 5 gal pail of water & let it leach into the soil. They tear it up. I like to get it out by April so it is there when they start antler growth. BTW NC, how long have you been away from Truro? I have a Truro address and have lived there the past 9 years.
 
I was told by several DNR people that all of the licks and attractants, including self feeders, are illegal any time of year in an area you will be hunting. Area will be put off limits. We had to do that will a public area here in Marshall county. Take care. Big brother may be watching, smelling or testing.
 
I would say put out the minerals as soon as the ground is thawed out. When the ground is wet is better too. We have had great luck with the Vita-Rack 25lb bags (Hunter's Specialties makes it).The deer want the dirt more than anyting and if you burry it and follow their directions, the deer will flock to it almost instantly. Just put it somewhere where the deer will find it easy (along a field or a trail). Here is a picture of just one of our many nice bucks over Vita-Rack.
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HunterMan
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