Backcountry attractant?

[Craig]

Wondering if anyone hauls attractant into the backcountry to put in front of their camera? Going to put 3 cameras up about 3-5 mile hike in. Looking for something thats not super heavy but might get them to stop in front of the camera for a couple seconds. What do you use?

[Miles]

Three intersecting trails is usually the best option.   
Never have carried anything in. 

[Duckslayer89]

Wondering if anyone hauls attractant into the backcountry to put in front of their camera? Going to put 3 cameras up about 3-5 mile hike in. Looking for something thats not super heavy but might get them to stop in front of the camera for a couple seconds. What do you use?

I loaded my dad down with a jug of buck jam last year on a scouting trip because I had the tent and he brought this tiny backpack lol. I said no way here take this. I got tons of pics of deer and they tore it up.

[Craig]

I have put the cameras up there before. Just looking for something to make them stop for a second and pose for the camera.

[Bango skank]

Salt lick.  I use the little 4lb trace mineral equine bricks from the feed store.  Easy to pack in and only cost about $3

this pic is just one or two days after i set a salt lick here.  critters find them fast.

[HUNTaHOLIC5]

Salt lick.  I use the little 4lb trace mineral equine bricks from the feed store.  Easy to pack in and only cost about $3

[ridgefire]

I also use the small mineral licks. The critters love them.

[jasnt]

I like granul salt. I have had bear pack off the little brick. I buy a bag of salt and trace minerals from north40 for about $8 for 50 lbs. then I just pack in what I want to.

[Bango skank]

I like granul salt. I have had bear pack off the little brick. I buy a bag of salt and trace minerals from north40 for about $8 for 50 lbs. then I just pack in what I want to.

Ill use that stuff in a couple areas that arent too tough to get to, but for any significant hike id rather take in a 4lb block or two.

[jasnt]

I like granul salt. I have had bear pack off the little brick. I buy a bag of salt and trace minerals from north40 for about $8 for 50 lbs. then I just pack in what I want to.

Ya I just put a few lbs in a separate bag or 32oz gator aid bottle.
Ill use that stuff in a couple areas that arent too tough to get to, but for any significant hike id rather take in a 4lb block or two.

[Elkaddict]

I had the same question a few summers back so last year I did a little study with 3 different types of salt (all were the small 4lbers) and two different attractants (black magic and buck jam Apple). 

I placed a white pure salt and two different blocks with trace minerals out for the first soak.  After 3 weeks The clear winner was the block with selenium (not sure on the spelling). All 3 were licked but the selenium trace block was almost gone after 3 weeks. I then added the black magic next to the salt and found both deer and elk liked that as much as the block (another 3 week soak). I then added the buck jam apple and after 3 weeks the area where the selenium block and the black magic was dug and churned up and the buck jam spot not so much. I continued to replenish the trace block and the black magic until the snow flew, every 3 weeks or so when I swapped sd cards out of my cam.  When I hiked in 4 weeks ago to place my cam (running a little late this year) the area literally looked like it had been rototilled. In about a 3-4 foot circle the dirt had actually been eaten down 8" or so. I packed in more black magic and trace block and worked the black magic into the soil and put the block on top. I kept the buck jam container up there so I could fill it up with h20 from a nearby creek and not have to pack in h20. I pour the h20 all over the soil to really soak it in and give off scent.  On a side note, spray down your cam etc with scent killer or a bear will eat your camera.  Critters photoed? Deer, elk, bears bob cats, rabbits squirrels and ravens.  Hope this helps. For me, I have sure enjoyed the anticipation.

[emac]

I had the same question a few summers back so last year I did a little study with 3 different types of salt (all were the small 4lbers) and two different attractants (black magic and buck jam Apple). 

I placed a white pure salt and two different blocks with trace minerals out for the first soak.  After 3 weeks The clear winner was the block with selenium (not sure on the spelling). All 3 were licked but the selenium trace block was almost gone after 3 weeks. I then added the black magic next to the salt and found both deer and elk liked that as much as the block (another 3 week soak). I then added the buck jam apple and after 3 weeks the area where the selenium block and the black magic was dug and churned up and the buck jam spot not so much. I continued to replenish the trace block and the black magic until the snow flew, every 3 weeks or so when I swapped sd cards out of my cam.  When I hiked in 4 weeks ago to place my cam (running a little late this year) the area literally looked like it had been rototilled. In about a 3-4 foot circle the dirt had actually been eaten down 8" or so. I packed in more black magic and trace block and worked the black magic into the soil and put the block on top. I kept the buck jam container up there so I could fill it up with h20 from a nearby creek and not have to pack in h20. I pour the h20 all over the soil to really soak it in and give off scent.  On a side note, spray down your cam etc with scent killer or a bear will eat your camera.  Critters photoed? Deer, elk, bears bob cats, rabbits squirrels and ravens.  Hope this helps. For me, I have sure enjoyed the anticipation.

What black magic did you use?

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[Elkaddict]

I use the Deer Cain black magic powder. Easy to pack in a long way.

[emac]

I use the Deer Cain black magic powder. Easy to pack in a long way.

Thanks

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[Craig]

I used some salt. Didn't have time to to run to Cabelas or another store. took my son and put 4 cameras up . 8 mile round trip. Will see how it goes in a couple months. Thanks for all the tips and advice.

[Antlershed]

Anybody tried the Wildgame Innovations Apple Crush? I've heard the Whitetail in NE WA love it, but wondering about Elk?

[mburrows]

Weve used just about every attractant for trail cams and i think weve had good results with just about all of them. Now we just go with 50lbs of trace mineral with selenium or salt. Most economical and works great. Also a good workout hauling those bags around!

[Antlershed]

Weve used just about every attractant for trail cams and i think weve had good results with just about all of them. Now we just go with 50lbs of trace mineral with selenium or salt. Most economical and works great. Also a good workout hauling those bags around!

For places where hauling in a 50lb bag isn't realistic, how much salt is adequate for a 2-3 week soak?

[mburrows]

I would put out at least 5 - 10lbs. From what ive experienced, it can take a couple days for more than just two or three animals to start showing up regularly.

[Bango skank]

Weve used just about every attractant for trail cams and i think weve had good results with just about all of them. Now we just go with 50lbs of trace mineral with selenium or salt. Most economical and works great. Also a good workout hauling those bags around!

For places where hauling in a 50lb bag isn't realistic, how much salt is adequate for a 2-3 week soak?

One of the 4lb bricks is more than enough for a few weeks.  Just bring another each time you check the cam until a few are piled up.  This is the kind i use.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JTFVCWM/ref=mp_s_a_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1466647604&sr=8-25&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=equine+selenium

That particular link is for 30.  I pick them up at the feed store, anywhere from  $2.50 to $4 each.

[hogslayer]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

[Bango skank]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Its not about cant, its about why do it if its unnecessary?  No pack frame necessary.  You can carry a 4lb brick in a light day pack.

[jasnt]

Plus when you get older you tend to save your knees for the pack out

[Antlershed]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Not all miles are created equal. My pack will be 40lbs before I add any salt blocks. Why would I want a 90lb pack 7.5 miles to go set trail cameras?

[Bango skank]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Not all miles are created equal. My pack will be 40lbs before I add any salt blocks. Why would I want a 90lb pack 7.5 miles to go set trail cameras?

When im hiking a 12 mile loop to get to 3 cameras i guess i should load 150lbs of salt on my back, in addition to the other crap im carrying. 

[Antlershed]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Not all miles are created equal. My pack will be 40lbs before I add any salt blocks. Why would I want a 90lb pack 7.5 miles to go set trail cameras?

When im hiking a 12 mile loop to get to 3 cameras i guess i should load 150lbs of salt on my back, in addition to the other crap im carrying. 

Well, yeah, don't be a wuss. 

[hogslayer]

just speaking from experience.  A 4lb salt lick wouldn't last very long at all for an attractant.  Maybe we are different, but when I go "back country" my pack weighs more than 50 lbs, so why not make a practice run during the summer to test your physical fitness?  Not try to see who is tougher than who, just a good idea to see what you could be getting yourself into.  I tried the 4lb show once and the salt lick got kicked away and eaten in 4 days. 

[browney5er]

just speaking from experience.  A 4lb salt lick wouldn't last very long at all for an attractant.  Maybe we are different, but when I go "back country" my pack weighs more than 50 lbs, so why not make a practice run during the summer to test your physical fitness?  Not try to see who is tougher than who, just a good idea to see what you could be getting yourself into.  I tried the 4lb show once and the salt lick got kicked away and eaten in 4 days.

After reading all the posts on here and all of the great ideas and success people have had, I can't imagine putting a 50lb block in my pack with all the other options out there. As far as seeing what I'm getting myself into, I like everybody else on here including yourself should already know what your getting yourself into. I know when I'm packing out an animal it's not the most enjoyable time in my life but once you hit the truck there's no better feeling and no more feeling of accomplishment. I can't imagine feeling that same satisfaction from Carrying a 50lb block of salt.

[emac]

just speaking from experience.  A 4lb salt lick wouldn't last very long at all for an attractant.  Maybe we are different, but when I go "back country" my pack weighs more than 50 lbs, so why not make a practice run during the summer to test your physical fitness?  Not try to see who is tougher than who, just a good idea to see what you could be getting yourself into.  I tried the 4lb show once and the salt lick got kicked away and eaten in 4 days.

After reading all the posts on here and all of the great ideas and success people have had, I can't imagine putting a 50lb block in my pack with all the other options out there. As far as seeing what I'm getting myself into, I like everybody else on here including yourself should already know what your getting yourself into. I know when I'm packing out an animal it's not the most enjoyable time in my life but once you hit the truck there's no better feeling and no more feeling of accomplishment. I can't imagine feeling that same satisfaction from Carrying a 50lb block of salt.

Part of packing in the 50lbs for baiting IMO is part of the whole hunting success. So when you get that big buck or big bull on camera then it is worth it. And then if you get the bull or buck then all the preseason work paid of and that's when you really feel your work paid off. It's when you pack 50lbs in and check the cam a month later and nothing is on it that is when it gets frustrating.

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[treeclimber2852]

Just to drop in my 2 cents - what do animals do when there aren't dedicated hunters hauling in minerals for them to get at (whether it be 4lbs or 50)?  They find it- and normally its in the dirt, most likely the tailings of an old glacier.  I carry in the crushed trophy rock stuff...and I carry anywhere from 10 - 20 lbs.  Sometimes I take in black magic, sometimes I don't.  The bottom line is, you want it to soak into the soil.  I put a 50lb salt block out at a tree line 10 years ago in South Carolina.  The deer would come and lick it, yes, but after 3 years, the block was gone.  To this day, they still come back and paw at the ground, so much so, they have made a large depression in the ground that is constantly muddy.  You want the mineral to soak into the ground and create that long-lasting mineral site.  4lbs can maybe do some of that, but only if it soaks in before it gets picked up and hauled off.  If you're just trying to get an animal to stop and let you take a picture, not really caring to hunt that exact spot during the season, then yes, the block will do it's job, but that's probably it. 

[buglebrush]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Yup   I just got done packing 50lbs. of Selenium salt 5 miles in.  Gave me a great chance to try out the new Exo-3500 and now I cannot wait to see pictures!   

[JJB11B]

So what is the general consensus on the best thing to attract backcountry?

[JimmyHoffa]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Yup   I just got done packing 50lbs. of Selenium salt 5 miles in.  Gave me a great chance to try out the new Exo-3500 and now I cannot wait to see pictures!   

Are you guys hauling the big salt cubes?  Or the small bricks or bags?  The cubes are horrible to haul in.  I liked the smaller bricks for easier carrying.

[ridgefire]

I set up a couple 4lb mineral and salt blocks memorial day weekend and had a chance to run up there this weekend. The ground where the licks were looked like someone took a Roto tiller to it. I had over 2400 pictures and most of them were elk. They also liked to lick the trail camera. Not sure if it was salt on my fingers or what. Gonna pack myself a fifty pounder in next time.

[buglebrush]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Yup   I just got done packing 50lbs. of Selenium salt 5 miles in.  Gave me a great chance to try out the new Exo-3500 and now I cannot wait to see pictures!   

Are you guys hauling the big salt cubes?  Or the small bricks or bags?  The cubes are horrible to haul in.  I liked the smaller bricks for easier carrying.

50# bag of selenium trace mineral salt.  $8.00 at North 40.  Just the loose stuff.  I have had animals roll the big block out of the camera's field of view, and haven't used the blocks since

[Eric M]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Yup   I just got done packing 50lbs. of Selenium salt 5 miles in.  Gave me a great chance to try out the new Exo-3500 and now I cannot wait to see pictures!   

Are you guys hauling the big salt cubes?  Or the small bricks or bags?  The cubes are horrible to haul in.  I liked the smaller bricks for easier carrying.

50# bag of selenium trace mineral salt.  $8.00 at North 40.  Just the loose stuff.  I have had animals roll the big block out of the camera's field of view, and haven't used the blocks since

I've had elk do that with their antlers. I buried the block part way and a bear pawed it out of the hole. If I do it again I'll be trying the loose stuff.

[Eric M]

I huffed back a 50 lb salt lick 4.5 miles for getting some elk on cameras.  If you can't carry 50 lbs to where you are going to be hunting, then you shouldn't be hunting that far.  Your going to be carrying a lot more than that if you kill something.

Yup   I just got done packing 50lbs. of Selenium salt 5 miles in.  Gave me a great chance to try out the new Exo-3500 and now I cannot wait to see pictures!   

Are you guys hauling the big salt cubes?  Or the small bricks or bags?  The cubes are horrible to haul in.  I liked the smaller bricks for easier carrying.

50# bag of selenium trace mineral salt.  $8.00 at North 40.  Just the loose stuff.  I have had animals roll the big block out of the camera's field of view, and haven't used the blocks since

I've had elk do that with their antlers. I buried the block part way and a bear pawed it out of the hole. If I do it again I'll be trying the loose stuff.

[FordTough]

I'll second the deercain. Any of the powders or the brick are good. Add a Mineral Rock or some molasses if you want, but they will eat a hole in the dirt getting those minerals out. I get 20x more elk than deer hitting my spots. 

[HuntnFishnRyan]

Crazy idea here. Why not drill a hole in the block and tie it to a tree if your worried about it walking away? Also you can always split those 50 pounders in half if ya want. I lugged 1 into the woods about 200 yards in a little duffel bag. That was not fun but am hoping for some great pics. 

[carpsniperg2]

You can also buy the small 1-2 lbs blocks at coastal if you guys want something easier to pack. I pack zip locks of mixed trace mineral salt if I am going in a good ways.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Test it with a couple small blocks or bag of salt and see what you get on camera.  If you like the results, find a buddy and haul 100 lbs in and establish that as a lick for future use.  You won't regret it when you drop one in the lick😎

[G-S]

I've always taken trace mineral out right before a good rain storm so it will soak into the ground or set a 50 pound block out right before winter so the snow will soak it into the ground all winter

[WapitiTalk1]

Here you go.  You're welcome  .  You don't need 40 lbs, but, make sure you "dig" into the ground and bury the majority of the pellets  8-10" down.  Throw the rest on top of the spot you choose to stimulate the initial attractiveness.  You'll be surprised at how long they last, and, the deer/elk "dig" at them.

 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Morton-40-lb-Salt-Pellets/3131025

[HighlandLofts]

Any pictures other then that one bear?