Coues assassin Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I really like the set-up of your second block with room for a deer or two to work around it at the same time. The first block however, IMO, is set pretty close to that creosote and a long tined buck in velvet may not like to scratch on that brittle shrub, as it does look like you're in Mule deer country. Maybe it doesn't matter but I've noticed in TC pictures bigger bucks preferring one salt block over another in the same photo. I also like your choice of the red mineral block and digging it down a bit, these choices help conceal your area for sure. On the contrary, I have always just left my blocks over the soil, and on many photos, you can see both does and bucks move the salt block and start licking underneath where it just was. I prefer blocks for a few reasons, but agree with everyone that says the deer like the salt most when it is mixed in with the dirt. I would imagine once your spot starts getting hit hard you will see the deer dig around the edges of that block. I do really like your set-up though and I'm trying to be critical in a positive light. Since you posted pictures, I kind of assumed you might be looking for that. If not, my apologies for butting in. Good luck with your new spots! I actually really really appreciate the tips I didn't even think about the being enough room while they are in velvet! I definently posted pictures for thoughts on how to make it better next time! Keep the advice coming and il keep posting pictures I agree on the red mineral it actually blends in really well and you wouldn't see it unless you were very close to it and I am not close to any roads also:) will see the results and adjust accordingly in two weeks! Thanks again for the advice! I thought about next time trying to drill a hole straight down the middle of a full block and hammer a piece of rebar about a foot in the ground and sticking 6 inches above the block so it can't be moved! Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
280REM Report post Posted July 30, 2014 Woah woah woah, so if you put down salt and don't wet it, the cows wont destroy it?? they dont seem to find it as fast, and ive found that the deer dont find it when wet but do when dry... weird but it works out perfect for me.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues assassin Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I take rock salt and put it in those gallon tea jugs or bigger juice jugs. I put in about half water and half salt. I will let them sit for a bit and I shake them once in awhile to disolve the salt. When they are good and disolved I will pour it where I want it I have had deer hit this much faster than just placing out salt. With that said I have probally started 20 salt licks over the years and have only hunted 1 of them. Some are still being hit hard and some just never got much use. I am gonna have to give this a shot with my other cameras! Thank you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I thought about next time trying to drill a hole straight down the middle of a full block and hammer a piece of rebar about a foot in the ground and sticking 6 inches above the block so it can't be moved! Thoughts? Top photo is the buck I killed in January, he moved the salt block just before the trail camera got the photo off and you can see the dark area the block was laying over. He is all over it, doesn't make contact with the block once during his 15 minute stay. Bottom photo is a group of mule doe who again kick the block around. You can see they are each licking a dark area where the block used to be. These animals continue to kick it around and all visit on a weekly basis, I would never try to make the block unmovable. But that's just me! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues assassin Report post Posted July 30, 2014 Interesting! I won't make it unmovable unless I run into problems but what your saying makes sense so maybe next time il try spreading salt also Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLW Report post Posted July 30, 2014 this is what I do buy the 50lb bag of mineral salt granulated... at the feed store in tempe there is no price difference...$9 dig about a 6ft diameter circle down about 3 or 4 inches and reserve the dirt. take your salt and fill the hole. next put the dirt you dug out back on top. then with your shovel mix it all together really good. take a gallon of water and pour on top and mix again. then when that's done pour another gallon on top and off you go. the big circle will allow more deer at 1 time. sometimes it can take some time til it's a hot spot... once that is all done just re salt it once a year..... 1 1/5 mile will probably require some help... you can split up the salt into re usable grocery sacks. James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
