Muley mineral lick

[Boss .300 winmag]

I got a bag of this one year for Christmas, put it out behind deer camp one year after leaving, put it on the ground covered it with snow. After the spring melt off the ground was all tore up where it had melted in.

I would never buy stuff marketed for deer/elk.

Like others have said the stuff for cattle works just as good and cheaper.👍

[nwwanderer]

Less than 1/3 of one ounce per day of bicarb, a little does the job.  Tough to figure that out with free ranging critters but the point is just a little bit, replacing the sodium in salt and improving rumen health.

[hunter399]

Sounds like I'll be going with trace salt ($10 tractor supply for 50lbs) and mix in a box of baking soda at each site. Gonna go heavy on the salt because it's cheap. Going to start putting 5-7 trail cameras up  in March.

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Ya I feel ya there.

[LDennis24]

Yeah the baking soda doesn't need to be mixed with the mineral. I have a large herd of Icelandic sheep and a few goats and the baking soda is in a separate tub because they don't always need it and I worry about it detering them from the mineral. They will consume both and know when they need it or should have it to balance their gut and body. More important than mineral licks is actual protein for them to consume in the earliest parts of antler growth and being healthy coming out of winter. I'm going to start another thread on herd health and supplementing your local deer herd etc. Give me some time and I'll put it together and everyone's input and experience is welcome of course.

[hunter399]

I'll be checking out some of the stuff mentioned here for sure.
The baking soda is new to me ,never heard of that before this topic.

So if anyone wants to break this down for me.
I know salt is a great attractant.
But what minerals exactly grow those monster racks.

[emac]

Trophy Rock has never disappointed.  Mule deer and Whitetail use it equally at all times of the year in my area.

I always use a bag of trace minerals with selenium and throw down a trophy rock in the spring.   The only reason I use a trophy rock is it tends to last longer if I can't get back in to add more salt.   One thing I started doing with the rocks is digging a hole to put it in.  The elk tend to nose it and push with there hooves.  Digging a little hole has seemed to solve this problem

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[emac]

...

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[buckfvr]

Loose salt/trace mineral is what I use with an occasional salt/mineral/selenium block.  Usually cut the blocks into quarters or less with a skil saw.  Deer, elk, bear, badger, coyote, skunk all use the licks.  I wont be experimenting as this has worked for me/us for 15+ years in the same spots.  Plus, I have no doubt it will be illegal in short order. 

Requirements for (wild/free range) big bucks are mostly genetics and age class.  You wont change that by random dumps of salt and minerals or junk thats aimed at you the consumer more so than deer/elk.   

[hunter399]

Loose salt/trace mineral is what I use with an occasional salt/mineral/selenium block.  Usually cut the blocks into quarters or less with a skil saw.  Deer, elk, bear, badger, coyote, skunk all use the licks.  I wont be experimenting as this has worked for me/us for 15+ years in the same spots.  Plus, I have no doubt it will be illegal in short order. 

Requirements for (wild/free range) big bucks are mostly genetics and age class.  You wont change that by random dumps of salt and minerals or junk thats aimed at you the consumer more so than deer/elk.   

I do agree with genetics playing a huge role I antler size and growth.
I've ran enough trail cams to figure that out.

[nwwanderer]

Genetics it is, rare conditions may put nutrition in the mix for antlers.  Does and fawns probably benefit more, less out time getting what they need.  Some times of year challenge nutrition, late summer is one we often overlook, hot dry is not just a blue tongue issue.

[hunter399]

Genetics it is, rare conditions may put nutrition in the mix for antlers.  Does and fawns probably benefit more, less out time getting what they need.  Some times of year challenge nutrition, late summer is one we often overlook, hot dry is not just a blue tongue issue.

Bluetongue has been on my mind with this crazy winter.

[WSU]

I've wondered about using water softener salt.  I've used it for other salt uses (like tuna slurry) because it's cheap.  I don't see why it wouldn't work in this application.

[baldopepper]

I've wondered about using water softener salt.  I've used it for other salt uses (like tuna slurry) because it's cheap.  I don't see why it wouldn't work in this application.

I've used it before. Seems to work fine, tried all kinds of different products, but salt seems as good as any.  Apples work the best to bring em in, but they'll eat a pretty good pile in a hurry if you have many deer around. (Apples also seem to bring in the coyotes)

[buckfvr]

Salt with trace minerals is beneficial, especially for does carrying and lactating so I've read, I doubt softener salt does a darn thing for them aside from quenching their salt requirement.

[baldopepper]

Salt with trace minerals is beneficial, especially for does carrying and lactating so I've read, I doubt softener salt does a darn thing for them aside from quenching their salt requirement.
[/quote
Actually salt is quite good for deer. Helps create hydrochloric acid which they need for their digestive system. Other minerals are helpful for other things for sure, but plain salt is also quite helpful to ungulates.