Salt licks how effective ?

[jimbo1984]

Hi gents on me and my Mates permission we have reds and fallow stopping through every now and again I've been thinking of putting some salt licks in to try and hold them s bit longer will they work ?
Atb
jim

 

[Jager SA]

They will work as long as you don't shoot them going to or coming the licks. Also choose your licks carefully, zinc, iron, calcium, sodium etc are all much needed minerals they lack in their diet, however it is a suck it and see situation for best results.

I did this years ago and it lasted a while, if nothing else it gives them a much needed boost in winter months.

 

[jimbo1984]

Thanks jaeger they seem pretty cheap for the most part do if it doesn't work it's no big loss , so you would say position them well away from the high seats ?

 

[Jager SA]

Thanks jaeger they seem pretty cheap for the most part do if it doesn't work it's no big loss , so you would say position them well away from the high seats ?

Deffo away from highseats, you don't want association with your activity and the licks. No harm in having them down, as I say, it's a benefit either way.

I used these... Rockies

 

[Jager SA]

I used the Red Rockies because of the copper content btw. I think there's 2 blocks in a box.

 

[jimbo1984]

Thsnks jaeger I'm going to order some the wood we see them in the most is only about 20 acres so 2 blocks should be plenty

 

[Jager SA]

Thsnks jaeger I'm going to order some the wood we see them in the most is only about 20 acres so 2 blocks should be plenty

I always had two in reserve and now and again id move them if I saw Deer activity in one particular are. As I say be mindful not to shoot them around the licks, they aren't stupid!

 

[jimbo1984]

Thanks jaeger , do they find the licks easy enough? I'd imagine they smell them fairly easily?

 

[Jager SA]

Thanks jaeger , do they find the licks easy enough? I'd imagine they smell them fairly easily?

You may have a bit of trial and error with placement but use your knowledge of Deer activity and place accordingly...can never have too many licks I found especially near coppice.

 

[User00026]

pour molasses over the licks and down the tree trunk, gets their attention pretty quick quick.. 5L should do you 2 goes on each lick

 

[jimbo1984]

The area I'm placing them is woodland with boggy ground and willows in the centre do immthinking of finding a tree close to activity and tying then to a stump

 

[Jager SA]

The area I'm placing them is woodland with boggy ground and willows in the centre do immthinking of finding a tree close to activity and tying then to a stump

​The licks are pretty big but they have a hole in the centre.

 

[Jagare]

I have mine mounted on a sawn off birch about 1.8 high. I have this on soft ground and now i have to go very carefull not to sink up to my thighs when putting up a new lick as the moose have churned up the ground around the lick.

 

[ELMER FUDD]

You could also try road salt, plenty in little yellow boxes scattered around. The trick is to dig a hole about 6 inches depth and two or three foot across and pour the salt in.

Put the earth back over the salt and the deer will find it and dig down to it. I tried this once with a couple of outdated cattle minerals and it does work.

When I lived in the North East I used to see sheep sitting on the road on the moors and I was informed that the sheep do this in the winter to lick the road salt that had been put down by the gritters.

 

[Monkey Spanker]

The best way I've seen is to stick the block on top of a thick post or sawn off tree stump at about head height. Stick a 6" nail or spike into the top of the post and then use that to slide the block over through the hole. The deer don't actually lick the block, but the pole itself as the salt dissolves and runs down. Even when the block has gone, the pole is still very attractive!
MS

 

[Jagare]

If you put it on a tree stump make sure you debark said stump. As MS said they will lick the stump long after the salt block is gone.

 

[Monkey Spanker]

If you put it on a tree stump make sure you debark said stump. As MS said they will lick the stump long after the salt block is gone.

That's a good point, although ash trees are ideal and have relatively smooth bark which doesn't seem to affect.
MS

 

[Paul 600]

That's a good point, although ash trees are ideal and have relatively smooth bark which doesn't seem to affect.
MS

debarking is to aid killing the stump but the salt will also aid this. If you dig salt into an earth pit the deer will eat the soil. Down side is billy and Charlie may crap all over it!

 

[stag1933]

Rumevite blocks placed out on the Lake District mountains for the Swaledale sheep were much appreciated by the Red-deer to the aggravation of the farmers.

HWH.

 

[glogin]

Dont know about fallow but roe and reds and wild boar all use it