mulie hunter Report post Posted May 27, 2011 I'm heading up to my archery unit to get a couple salt licks going for the August-Sept. Deer Season. I'm looking for your expertise in making salt licks. Such as: I'm considering using deer caine, Is it a Good product? How often do you need to maintain them?(Such as adding more, salt, deer caine etc...) Should I make multiple licks in one location, or just a single lick? Do tree stands or ground blinds work better on a lick? I'm a novice at salt licks. So I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks in advance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 27, 2011 Deer cocaine is a good product and I've used both the powder and the liquid. I score all my 50lb salt blocks completely around the center and then tap them with a chisel and hammer until they break. Easier to carry and place in a shallow hole and pour your deer cocaine on it. Rain will melt your salt into the ground so continue to replace the salt and you're in business. Sometimes they attract quick and sometimes it takes awhile to establish. It all depends on the amount of animal traffic in the area. I like to dig a small channel leading to the salt to carry more water to get the salt melted quicker at first. Pick out a tree or a good spot for a ground blind before you choice a salt lick spot. Good luck! TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-ne-elk Report post Posted May 27, 2011 If using a salt block and you are worried about other hunters finding your station, it's best to bury the block to where the top is flush with the ground. The animals will still find it and will even dig it up if they need to. Be sure to check your regulations, I don't know about Arizona but salt licks are illegal in some western states and have to be removed before the season starts. Some states consider it "baiting". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLW Report post Posted May 27, 2011 If using a salt block and you are worried about other hunters finding your station, it's best to bury the block to where the top is flush with the ground. The animals will still find it and will even dig it up if they need to. Be sure to check your regulations, I don't know about Arizona but salt licks are illegal in some western states and have to be removed before the season starts. Some states consider it "baiting". +1 on burying it. Clear out all the grass and whatnot and dig a big circle about 4" down 2-4 feet in diameter. I use 40lbs pool salt it melts into the soil faster and cost $6 at Wally world.Cover it with the dirt you dug out. I then pour something sweet on top deer cain or whatever.Then check it about every 60-90 days It can take a while to establish a great lick. I think it depends on a multitude of factors... ie. human traffic, predators are just a couple of them. I've had them in a close proximity to too much human activity and they would only come at night. Trial and error. Good luck! James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pirogue Report post Posted May 29, 2011 There was a geotechnical report done a while back about the chemical properties of AZ soils and some areas had soil properties that reacted adversely to salt. You can send me the coordinates of your location and I will check for results. We've used deer cocaine on our land in the south, and it works OK. They love rice bran, but we need enough demand to get some stocked out here in AZ. Cabelas has sacks of deer corn in now, so maybe some day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted May 29, 2011 There was a geotechnical report done a while back about the chemical properties of AZ soils and some areas had soil properties that reacted adversely to salt. You can send me the coordinates of your location and I will check for results. We've used deer cocaine on our land in the south, and it works OK. They love rice bran, but we need enough demand to get some stocked out here in AZ. Cabelas has sacks of deer corn in now, so maybe some day. i have a camera set above some of that cabelas deer corn right now so in two more weeks ill be able to tell if its worth a crap or not. i did salt block on the surface last year and could not tell the difference as far as deer activity. had i been cow hunting id had my hands full. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mulie hunter Report post Posted May 30, 2011 Ok I went up this weekend and made multiple licks. I made 3 using salt and deer caine, and 2 with just salt. I set up cams on 3 of the licks and will be going back in a month to check them. Thanks for the advice on how to make them, I felt kinda like I knew what I was doing when I was making them! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLW Report post Posted May 30, 2011 There was a geotechnical report done a while back about the chemical properties of AZ soils and some areas had soil properties that reacted adversely to salt. You can send me the coordinates of your location and I will check for results. We've used deer cocaine on our land in the south, and it works OK. They love rice bran, but we need enough demand to get some stocked out here in AZ. Cabelas has sacks of deer corn in now, so maybe some day. i have a camera set above some of that cabelas deer corn right now so in two more weeks ill be able to tell if its worth a crap or not. i did salt block on the surface last year and could not tell the difference as far as deer activity. had i been cow hunting id had my hands full. try the sweet feed from a tack store you wont be sorry! james Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curtis Reed Report post Posted May 31, 2011 I dig a shallow hole about 3 feet wide, and set the dirt next to the hole. Then, I dump a 40 lb bag of fine salt crystals into the hole. I then put the dirt I took out of the hole back into the hole with the salt and mix them all together. After it is mixed, you cant really even tell there is salt in the hole. I then take a gallon of Deer Cane and pour it on top of the salt hole. This has always worked well for me... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AntlerObsession Report post Posted May 31, 2011 What consistency of salt to dirt do you guys find effective? Can it be too salty? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLW Report post Posted June 1, 2011 What consistency of salt to dirt do you guys find effective? Can it be too salty? if you use a crushed salt it melts into the soil. I don"t think it can be too salty since I have seen them lick the salt block. I like to sweeten it up with cain or buck jam or something that smell sweet. that just makes me feel better. I'm sure the will still get on it if I didn't. but a heavy game trail between beds and water is ideal like a saddle or funnel. just my opinion. most of what I have learned is from this sight! I love this sight! James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
