Author Topic: Salt block for deer? (Read 2315 times)

Carroll B · « **on:** March 18, 2005, 02:59:37 AM »

My deer hunting this time of the year is limited to a digital camera. I built a corn feeder in the back yard and they visit it on a regular basis, although usually at night. I have to buy more corn today and wondered if I should buy them a salt block too?

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2005, 03:08:28 AM »

If you're asking about a block with "just" salt the answer is no. If you want to help them then a salt/mineral block or just a bag of the salt/mineral mix to pour out somewhere nearby would help them especially if the food in the area is deficient in minerals.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2005, 03:09:07 AM »

my brother up in Illinois buys mineral blocks and buries them. the deer will paw out a big hole in the ground.

deerslayer15 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2005, 05:26:25 AM »

I'm with GB, get the mineral/salt mix. The salt block never works for me the first year I put it out, it always works the next year after the salt run in the ground. But on the other hand, the deer love the mineral/salt mix and eat it right up.

Carroll B · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2005, 06:09:45 AM »

Thanks for the info. I check into a mineral block for them.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2005, 08:50:38 AM »

I use the mineral/salt mix myself.

thayerqdma · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2005, 04:08:36 PM »

WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE

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.

Maintenance:

-Replenish in 6 months with fresh supply of mineral, and then each year there after.

I have used it for 3 years and the deer will hit it hard during the spring thru to early fall. Spread it and they will come.

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2005, 10:01:15 PM »

I use the mineral/salt mix also.I put it out year round.I put mine in stump holes in different areas and the deer just plow up the ground for it.....Rick

PEPAW · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2005, 05:14:48 AM »

I bought mineral/salt last weekend. I figure the salt attracts them a little and the minerals will help the herd at least a little.

pepaw

Robert · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2005, 05:27:31 AM »

I use the Mineral block too. They dissolve slowly and the ground around it gets saturated. The deer seem to like the surrounding soil as much as the block. You can also buy mixed seed to plant for deer, or just plant wheat and clover.

rockbilly · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2005, 04:26:50 AM »

:roll: I use both, I keep salt and mineral blocks out year round.

There is nothing wrong with feeding corn, but it has very little nuterational value for the deer. If you want to see an improvement in the fawn production, better quality doe and improvement in the rack size, then go to Purina Anthler Max. I mix it with corn, one bag of corn, one bag of Anthler max until the feeder is full. My feeders is a 55 gal drum with removable top, they have a timer feeder usually set for 8-10 seconds twice a day. The 55 gal drum holds about 250 lbs of feed and usually last about six weeks.

As with any program, you will not see an improvement overnight, but after two-three years you should see larger racks and an overall improvement in the deer herd.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2005, 10:10:45 AM »

Back when the F&G Warden would put out salt blocks for deer in some areas, in the spring the deer would look a little rough and be covered with ticks. The "yellow sulphur" blocks seem to help them kick the ticks. Along with the green-up it was not long before the deer were putting on weight.

There was one area that a large number of deer would come into the block. The deer seemed to improve rather quickly after the sulphur block was put out. The deer would go through about 3 large blocks in four months in this location. A local rancher was putting a plain salt block out about 1/2 mile away at a water tank and the deer would by pass it for the sulfphur block. The deer would dig this area up looking for salt early in the year on this exposed peak. The tall timber would shade the snow drifts and keep the road blocked until late May or June so salt could not be brought in earlier. Which was okay because most of the deer wintered in the low country.

James B · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2005, 08:47:20 AM »

Its probably silly but its illegal to put out feeders or mineral and salt licks in our state. Anything that can be considered to draw the lambs to slaughter. However its legal to put in food plots. I quess as long as you had any livestock then they couldn't outlaw the licks and blocks. I have a small acreage for hunting that I just plant to alfalfa. We have 95% mule deer. This past season I shot a whitetail doe on my land. There were four of them in a group. The first four whitetail I have ever seen on my land.

youngbdv · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2005, 08:46:39 AM »

1 part Di-Calcium Phosphate 50lbs
1 part Red Trace mineral salt 50lbs
and 4lbs Baking Soda
mix thoroughly ,the deer love it .