Thread: Ideas for a salt lick?

If you do put a supplement out put a game camera up see whats going on with it.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

You likely have farms around you

Do now but have used them previously in Pureora well away from farms, deer didn't take long to take a liking to them. Always set them up in spring when more wanderings were happening.

I have seen about half a dozen mineral salt blocks out in the Kawekas over the last year and the all appear to have zero deer activity. There was a trail camera on one and it had no interest.
Broadleaf or mahoe branches, even willow or poplar will likely be work better.
Even a bag of apples.
Bumped into a guy that had lugged in maize and tipped molasses on it and he swore by that.

In some areas salt seems to do ok but in many is isn't worthwhile.

Originally Posted by Tahr

If you do put a supplement out put a game camera up see whats going on with it.

I'll do that. Will save a lot of early morning trips to my lookout.

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When buying salt blocks don't bother reading what's written on the box about ingredients as you are not promoting the living of the deer but the intention is to end it's life.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

When buying salt blocks don't bother reading what's written on the box about ingredients as you are not promoting the living of the deer but the intention is to end it's life.

That's true, but just like a sheep and beef farmer you want them as heavy, healthy and unstressed as possible until the moment you pull the trigger.

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I've an idea...one that I've put into practice many a time during my mispent youth AND later years
I'm surprised no one has mentioned it but it includes tequila & lemon

Interesting comments. I tried them at Pureora and they didn't work at all.
I wonder whether the success or not depends on the mineralisation of the particular area. In some locations animals might be short of particular minerals, in other areas they mightn't be looking for supplements.

Originally Posted by Backcountry Bob

Interesting comments. I tried them at Pureora and they didn't work at all.
I wonder whether the success or not depends on the mineralisation of the particular area. In some locations animals might be short of particular minerals, in other areas they mightn't be looking for supplements.

This.

Magnesium is one thing missing in NZ's soils, deer may go for it, I wonder if deer would search it out.

I post the following with tongue in cheek, though it is real and available at Cabelas:



...attracts all big game animals from whitetail deer to mule deer, elk, moose, and antelope with in 20 minutes. Including more than 65 trace minerals like sodium, calcium, potassium and sulfur, this all natural mix promotes beneficial to antler growth and overall Trophy bigness.


And with the current penchant for giving hunting things, risible names, have I got a deal for you! send me cash in an envelope:



All terrain, tactic hybrid, ultra, hitman, stabilised, close range, auto dispensing, eco tethered salt, deer attractor. Guaranteed! $20,

and $10 postage in NZ.

have tried salt blocks and mineral blocks with minimal success maybe as one has said on here deer may look for certain minerals missing in the area - I do know my mate on the deer farm feeds out baleage - the deer hear the tractor and they come running so the must really like it- maize and mollasses sounds good but try ya never know with mineral blocks if one had mollasses in it be my first choice over a salt block

I would also go for a block with mollasses first.
Have left a few salt blocks on the bush edge and the've not been touched - guess it might varry pending location

I should have said the reason I want to protect the salt lick is that the clearing is very difficult to get to, so I only want to go there to retrieve a deer I've shot.
So the original question applies even more to a lick with molasses- how to protect it from the Tararuas' rain so I don't have to replace it after a decent week of rain? The idea of sweating it in a bottle has potential.

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[QUOTE=Eat Meater;1739664]I should have said the reason I want to protect the salt lick is that the clearing is very difficult to get to, so I only want to go there to retrieve a deer I've shot.


You make it sound like you have one of those remote/wifi controlled rifle shooting systems where you shoot animals while sitting on the couch at home....be real cool to have and take the foot slogging out of hunting.