Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: ljsommer on January 02, 2019, 01:55:56 PM

Title: Salt licks for elk
Post by: ljsommer on January 02, 2019, 01:55:56 PM: If I had a spot on public land where I thought elk might go to hang out, would it be worth my time and money to throw out some salt licks to encourage them to spend more time there? or is that a total waste?
I've used salt licks in the past and found they attracted all sorts of animals, including bears (and squirrels - man do squirrels love salt licks)
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: vandeman17 on January 02, 2019, 01:57:32 PM: Yes it works but I have found they prefer trace mineral salt. I pour it out and mix it in with the dirt. I also will pour it in rotten stumps, logs etc and make them work at it.
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: ljsommer on January 02, 2019, 01:59:21 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on January 02, 2019, 01:57:32 PM
Yes it works but I have found they prefer trace mineral salt. I pour it out and mix it in with the dirt. I also will pour it in rotten stumps, logs etc and make them work at it.

How does that hold up to weather? Does it just wash away after a couple of rains?
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: vandeman17 on January 02, 2019, 02:02:52 PM: Quote from: ljsommer on January 02, 2019, 01:59:21 PM
Quote from: vandeman17 on January 02, 2019, 01:57:32 PM
Yes it works but I have found they prefer trace mineral salt. I pour it out and mix it in with the dirt. I also will pour it in rotten stumps, logs etc and make them work at it.

How does that hold up to weather? Does it just wash away after a couple of rains?

It lasts just fine, even if it rains
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: WSU on January 02, 2019, 02:04:11 PM: What about west side elk?
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: ljsommer on January 02, 2019, 02:05:01 PM: Quote from: WSU on January 02, 2019, 02:04:11 PM
What about west side elk?

Oh sorry I should've specified - yes, this is for west side.
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: vandeman17 on January 02, 2019, 02:06:42 PM: Quote from: WSU on January 02, 2019, 02:04:11 PM
What about west side elk?

I have always had salt out on east side but i have had it go through some legit rain storms and the elk still pound it
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: ljsommer on January 02, 2019, 02:08:18 PM: If I remember correctly, salt doesnt count as bait, correct? I know there are bait restrictions but I don't recall that applying to salt blocks etc. For example, would a 50lb bag of that salt mineral mixture be legal? The spot I want to lay it is on top of a long hike in so I don't want to go up there all the time.
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: mburrows on January 02, 2019, 02:58:27 PM: Quote from: WSU on January 02, 2019, 02:04:11 PM
What about west side elk?

I dont know why but I've had much better luck with animals hitting salt licks consistently on the east side than the west side. On the west side they seem to be interested but I never really got repeat visitors with any level of consistency like I did on the east side.
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: ljsommer on January 02, 2019, 03:01:17 PM: Quote from: mburrows on January 02, 2019, 02:58:27 PM
Quote from: WSU on January 02, 2019, 02:04:11 PM
What about west side elk?

I dont know why but I've had much better luck with animals hitting salt licks consistently on the east side than the west side. On the west side they seem to be interested but I never really got repeat visitors with any level of consistency like I did on the east side.

When I placed salt in 407 for blacktail, I got lots of bears and squirrels but the blacktail didn't seem to be very interested!
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: WSU on January 02, 2019, 03:12:10 PM: My experience on the west side is that deer could care less. I just haven’t tried for elk.
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: Luna butte on January 02, 2019, 03:32:23 PM: You can get trace mineral salt in 50# blocks as well as bagged loose salt. you can also try to figure out who has the grazing permit for the area you have in mind. The grazer May be willing to show you where he puts his salt so you can just add to it so his cows don’t get drawn to weird places. Grazers use salt, water and wire to hold there animals in specific places.
Title: Re: Salt licks for elk
Post by: emac on January 02, 2019, 03:56:07 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on January 02, 2019, 02:02:52 PM
Quote from: ljsommer on January 02, 2019, 01:59:21 PM
Quote from: vandeman17 on January 02, 2019, 01:57:32 PM
Yes it works but I have found they prefer trace mineral salt. I pour it out and mix it in with the dirt. I also will pour it in rotten stumps, logs etc and make them work at it.

How does that hold up to weather? Does it just wash away after a couple of rains?

It lasts just fine, even if it rains
Rain is actually a good thing for salt. It washes it into the soil profile and last longer and makes em work for it.

I always try to get salt at my spots right before the snow flies so it gets in the soil and the elk start hitting it before i can even get to my spots

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