Mineral site for Whitetail

[hunter399]

I used to put it out about two weeks before season started and it seemed to work well, then I started putting it out beginning of summer and it seemed to work better. I think the more regular you have it there and the longer the better.

From my experience and some research, they will be drawn to salt from late spring until around August or so. What I have always done is run salt until August and then transition to a food source

I was archery hunting early season near salt so that very well could be the case. They were hitting it early September (usually still in velvet) and I stopped replacing it for the year after I stopped hunting.

I planned on archery hunting this year so around late August put some corn out instead of salt ?


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In my anecdotal experience, I usually went out over Labor Day weekend and shot the first legal deer that came to the site. They were still using the salt then. Not sure how long they hit it after that but if it’s early archery I wouldn’t bother changing it up. Plus salt is a lot easier to replenish than feed. I’m not close to an expert, my hunting the last fifteen years was mostly squeezed around family time taking the kids to visit my folks but we had enough success that I never changed up the system.

I agree.
In some of my old spots,they don't really change there routine till
Middle of September.
I do know some spots though,if you disturb the area to much patterns will change.
Let's say you add a corn feeder week before season,they may spook more than be an attractant.
Or checking cam daily,when you normally do monthly checks.
Or adding your tree stand .
Things like that.

You'll see it on your trail cam ,if you disturb the area to much.
That buck will show up one more time,then notice what's "new".
Then won't show for awhile,or a long while.

I'm not an early archery hunter.
If I was,I'd add whatever to your spot 2-3 weeks prior .
New food sources,your stand,or any changes.
I'd have my stuff setup,two weeks before the season ,I wouldn't disturb the area at all.
I do know a better food source than corn or apples.
That deer go crazy for,but it's expensive.

[Dreaded Archer24]

Right on guys I appreciate the feed back from the sounds of it I should run salt now until mid to late August then switch out to a different source if not put both out a month before season starts


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[kodiak06]

Antler and milk production and tons of green leafy food which is loaded with water depletes them of sodium. As antlers finish and does wean fawns with correlation of food sources drying up the huge draw to salt diminishes

That's the answer. They have to replace the sodium they use during those months due to the feeds water content. Same with cattle diets. If ya gonna bait, use bait, not salt. The minerals are just an add on. I like the Trophy Rocks personally. Be careful with some "mineral mixes" in store, they can mildew

[hunter399]

Antler and milk production and tons of green leafy food which is loaded with water depletes them of sodium. As antlers finish and does wean fawns with correlation of food sources drying up the huge draw to salt diminishes

That's the answer. They have to replace the sodium they use during those months due to the feeds water content. Same with cattle diets. If ya gonna bait, use bait, not salt. The minerals are just an add on. I like the Trophy Rocks personally. Be careful with some "mineral mixes" in store, they can mildew

Yup,they are only attracted to salt spring and summer.
Have you guys ever put salt out in the winter or kept salt at a mineral site year round.
I suppose there is a bunch of green leaf for them to eat in winter time.
I agree spring and summer they desire salt more.
But to say they won't hit salt fall or winter is a myth.
I literally have thousands of winter pics at a salt block.

[hunter399]

Check out the picture count on this photo.
You can tell it's the same location in the tiny pics.
There is another file on the same card with another 4k pics.

I'm gonna tell ya the truth here.
If you have a good spot,keep salt there year round.
You'll have deer show up year round.
No smoke and mirrors from me.
I have four years into this site, keeping salt there year round.
Using minerals I guarantee you'll get what you put in.
Put in hard work,and it will pay off.

[Dreaded Archer24]

Check out the picture count on this photo.
You can tell it's the same location in the tiny pics.
There is another file on the same card with another 4k pics.

I'm gonna tell ya the truth here.
If you have a good spot,keep salt there year round.
You'll have deer show up year round.
No smoke and mirrors from me.
I have four years into this site, keeping salt there year round.
Using minerals I guarantee you'll get what you put in.
Put in hard work,and it will pay off.

Right on are you doing that in public or private ? Also great pics of the deer btw.


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[kodiak06]

Antler and milk production and tons of green leafy food which is loaded with water depletes them of sodium. As antlers finish and does wean fawns with correlation of food sources drying up the huge draw to salt diminishes

That's the answer. They have to replace the sodium they use during those months due to the feeds water content. Same with cattle diets. If ya gonna bait, use bait, not salt. The minerals are just an add on. I like the Trophy Rocks personally. Be careful with some "mineral mixes" in store, they can mildew

Yup,they are only attracted to salt spring and summer.
Have you guys ever put salt out in the winter or kept salt at a mineral site year round.
I suppose there is a bunch of green leaf for them to eat in winter time.
I agree spring and summer they desire salt more.
But to say they won't hit salt fall or winter is a myth.
I literally have thousands of winter pics at a salt block.

NEITHER of our quotes above said they wouldn't hit it anytime of year, nor did we say they only hit it spring or summer lol... It's just a scientific fact that spring and summer months are the primary push for the mineral, same with elk. The mineral is out all year. Once a site if set up the right way the soil contains those minerals, it simply need a 'lil refreshing year to year. I have put out 5-6 12# trophy rock plus another 60# of the crushed variety. Still have several ready to go in July

[hunter399]

Antler and milk production and tons of green leafy food which is loaded with water depletes them of sodium. As antlers finish and does wean fawns with correlation of food sources drying up the huge draw to salt diminishes

That's the answer. They have to replace the sodium they use during those months due to the feeds water content. Same with cattle diets. If ya gonna bait, use bait, not salt. The minerals are just an add on. I like the Trophy Rocks personally. Be careful with some "mineral mixes" in store, they can mildew

Yup,they are only attracted to salt spring and summer.
Have you guys ever put salt out in the winter or kept salt at a mineral site year round.
I suppose there is a bunch of green leaf for them to eat in winter time.
I agree spring and summer they desire salt more.
But to say they won't hit salt fall or winter is a myth.
I literally have thousands of winter pics at a salt block.

NEITHER of our quotes above said they wouldn't hit it anytime of year, nor did we say they only hit it spring or summer lol... It's just a scientific fact that spring and summer months are the primary push for the mineral, same with elk. The mineral is out all year. Once a site if set up the right way the soil contains those minerals, it simply need a 'lil refreshing year to year. I have put out 5-6 12# trophy rock plus another 60# of the crushed variety. Still have several ready to go in July

I just wanted to say you and huntnnw are correct there is a drop off with minerals in the fall.
Whether that's there needs,habitat, seasonal changes,or hunting pressure. It's all debatable for any given area or experience.

My personal experiences is I do have year round pics if salt is dropped year round. The pics definitely slow down during modern firearm,like said many factors may play into that.
Private/public ,AG fields vs mountain tops all that.

I have seen a couple of stud whitetail harvested within a quarter mile of a known mineral. They dropped off the camera around October 1 . Where harvested during modern.
Which they where still in the area,just not active on mineral or cam.

These are just my experiences,like said any area,this,that, or many factors may not result in the same outcome.
I try to learn from my experience and pass it along.
Also want to say sorry Kodiak,huntnnw I come off a little strong headed sometimes.
I do agree there is a fall drop off for minerals,for whatever reason.