attractant/bait for elk trail cam setup

[doyourtime89]

I am looking to set up a couple trail cams for some elk scouting.  I was just wondering what would be good to use at an nice pic's....I am wanting to set up a couple cams for some elk scouting and wondering what you are using at attractant/bait? .  West side elk if that matter.  I have never used trail cams so any other info you think would be help to a first time user would be great.  Thanks. 

[SkookumHntr]

I always use apples off my tree for deer and the elk seem to eat them just fine aswell..

[SkookumHntr]

One thing tho, a bucket of apples for deer will last awhile, the elk will eat every single one the first time they come in so maybe a salt lick is better!  Thats what I have seen anywayz

[Jingles]

Have to agree with SkookumHntr I'd go with a 50 pound mineral block usually available at most farm and feed stores.

[Greenhorn]

I have tried different types of corn and molasses, deer blocks ..... but they cost about $11 for a 20lb one, the animals love them, and they are gone within a week.  I just bought a 50lb bag of salt with selenium in it for about $8 and it was gone within the week but I think it is stepped into the ground and the animals will keep on coming.  I can only afford salt from now on and it is almost a 1/2 mile hike to my camera and I put it on my pack frame and hump it in pretty easy.  I normally get bear and elk on my camera.

[vandeman17]

There are lots of threads on this but what I always use is trace salt with selenium like greenhorn said. $8 for a 50 lbs bag and they will tear it up! I just throw the bag in my pack and then I like to spread it and kick some dirt on it to make them work for it. If you can get it in a stump or hole or something that works well too

[bowhunterforever]

Trace mineral  salt with selenium works wonders this time of year

[Button Nubbs]

Salt should have been out a month or so ago now imo. Apple's when they start droppin in august.

[huntnnw]

Salt!!  You will see a huge decline in deer activity by the end of July, but I have seen elk pound salts into October

[rosscrazyelk]

Where do you get salt with selenium?  Won't a bag of salt just work?

[vandeman17]

Where do you get salt with selenium?  Won't a bag of salt just work?

I get mine at Coastal Farm and Ranch but you can get it at most any feed stores. The trace salt with selenium will do much better then just salt because it has other minerals that they really like/need this time of year. 

[doyourtime89]

Where do you get salt with selenium?  Won't a bag of salt just work?

I get mine at Coastal Farm and Ranch but you can get it at most any feed stores. The trace salt with selenium will do much better then just salt because it has other minerals that they really like/need this time of year. 

rosscrazyelk...I see you are in Edgewood, there is a Coastal Farm and Ranch down by the Supermall that has all that stuff.

[Nice Racks]

How bout some molasses, sweet cob or some brown sugar? I've been putting some trace minerals out for a while now with some great results on elk, and want to start to sweeten the pot.  I will put 2-3 buffets out in shooting lanes around my tree or blind set up.  Not too close to my stand because when an elk comes in my pounding heart and breathing will give me away. 

[Ccortez]

I use corn and molasses and works great but I usually put a salt block out to make it last a lil longer and apples work good too. I usually cut the apples up to get the smell out better

[idaho guy]

I cant hunt off bait/salt in Idaho but can put it out and at least get some pictures to see what is in the area.  I  Have also used the mineralized salt with a lot of success more as a way to do some pre season scouting. Thinking about putting out some bait in Wa for my son to hunt off. Anyways I was wondering if anyone has used a protein tub like they sell at big R? Had a freind recomend putting one out with our steers and got to wondering how it would work on deer and elk maybe with a salt lick.