Salt Licks for deer

[Salmonstalker]

I'm sure this isn't the first time this has been brought up on this page, but here I go anyway. Salt blocks for deer, do they work as an attractant? My hunting partner and I were recently talking about setting up trail cams this spring, and letting them soak for a couple months. Salt blocks came up in conversation. What's your guy's experience (if any)? Thanks in advance.

[JakeLand]

Over here on the westside salt blocks or mineral blocks = bear but I've had great success with the powder apple crush that you pour on the ground. The deer and elk have had it dug down close to two feet from them digging it up

[Wolfdog2314]

Apple flavored Buck Lickers. Sportsmans carries them. Size of a brick. The further you go east the better salt and stuff works. In my experience. Make sure to put a trail camera over it!

[vandeman17]

trace mineral salt, granular works best for me. Spread it out, mix it in the dirt, put it in old stumps/logs etc. 

[NOCK NOCK]

IMO they are not the best "attractant".  Once deer/elk find them they will frequent them, but not so sure they actually attract deer.

[Jimmer]

IMO they are not the best "attractant".  Once deer/elk find them they will frequent them, but not so sure they actually attract deer.

+1 they do not attract, but will use on occasion when found. Definitely not a pattern tracker.

[jackelope]

I can say confidently after multiple salt lick setups on the west side that they don't work like they do on the east side. I've got several thousand pictures a year over east and over here I don't get squat using trace minerals. Apples or the like work great, but they disappear quick. You have to check your cameras and keep up on them more than you do with salt.

[UBA]

+1 trace mineral. Eastside

[grundy53]

I can say confidently after multiple salt lick setups on the west side that they don't work like they do on the east side. I've got several thousand pictures a year over east and over here I don't get squat using trace minerals. Apples or the like work great, but they disappear quick. You have to check your cameras and keep up on them more than you do with salt.

It depends on your area. I have found areas where the deer lap it up and dig up the ground to get it. Other places they don't hardly touch it.

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[grundy53]

I think they work for finding out what is in your area. But come hunting season they aren't hitting it nearly as much. I think they like it the best when their antlers are growing and the does are either pregnant or lactating. I prefer the loose over the block.

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[grundy53]

Over here on the westside salt blocks or mineral blocks = bear but I've had great success with the powder apple crush that you pour on the ground. The deer and elk have had it dug down close to two feet from them digging it up

That's odd you would think the Apple scent would attract more bears then just mineral lick. Luckily I haven't had much problems bear wise either way.

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[jackelope]

I can say confidently after multiple salt lick setups on the west side that they don't work like they do on the east side. I've got several thousand pictures a year over east and over here I don't get squat using trace minerals. Apples or the like work great, but they disappear quick. You have to check your cameras and keep up on them more than you do with salt.

It depends on your area. I have found areas where the deer lap it up and dig up the ground to get it. Other places they don't hardly touch it.

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That's sure a possibility. I found that in my examples, it was the case down around Mt St Helens and out by me in east king county in the DNR land.

[Rem14]

After trying all kinds of salt etc., switched to Trophy Rock the all natural mineral lick. What a difference the deer are at it all the time!!!

[dvolmer]

How do salt licks work out in desert'y kinds of areas and in sagebrush???  Never used them but always thought of using them.  I would love to give it a try.

[fowl smacker]

I have a lot of deer (many regulars) around my house.  They will not touch a salt lick.  They'll eat apples, cherries, strawberries,  bread, dandelions, and my fruit trees though!