Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on July 21, 2022, 07:12:07 PM
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I am not the type of hunter that can sit in one spot for hours, so I am not really interested in packing a bunch of apples or anything into my hunting area.
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I just spent a "few pennies" on some game cameras, so I want some pictures before season.
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I'm hunting on the coast, so really don't think salt is my best choice to get them to pick the trail past my camera.
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I know that I have active trails, but in this particular drainage they are a huge spiderweb through the ferns and vine maple.
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I don't want to actually disturb the area searching for a spot in the bottom, yet don't want to put my cameras on the upper funnel points because I am not the only hunter that frequents the area.
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In the past when I set up cameras, I got almost as many pictures of hunters than I did of animals.
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Moving away from high traffic areas to avoid other hunters.
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I have a general idea of where I want to place my cameras but want to tip the odds in my favor of getting pictures.
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Most reviews I read are mixed results, and rarely Roosevelt.
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Salt seems to be #1
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I just don't see it working when they are within walking distance of the beach.
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Although I have heard that selenium might help with hoof rot, I don't hear about any way to introduce it without salt.
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I even read a study about plants higher in selenium not being eaten by elk in a study, that they actually avoided those plants because of the high content.
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Much like iodine in salt for humans.
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It's a necessary vitamin, but we don't like it.
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I don't have any confidence in elk urine, but seems like my best option.
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Anybody have any actual experience with setting up a camera and getting consistent results that are not a long main trails?
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Salt won’t work. Even out here more inland it doesn’t work. I’ve used salt in e-wa and gotten thousands of pics. Tried it here and almost got zero pics. Apples work but they go through them fast. They like pumpkins but no pumpkins this time of year.
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Salt won’t work. Even out here more inland it doesn’t work. I’ve used salt in e-wa and gotten thousands of pics. Tried it here and almost got zero pics. Apples work but they go through them fast. They like pumpkins but no pumpkins this time of year.
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How about "pumpkin spice" scent?
😆
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Salt won’t work. Even out here more inland it doesn’t work. I’ve used salt in e-wa and gotten thousands of pics. Tried it here and almost got zero pics. Apples work but they go through them fast. They like pumpkins but no pumpkins this time of year.
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How about "pumpkin spice" scent?
😆
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Canned pumpkin, smear it on trees. Gonna bring in the bears too.
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Actually have seen pumpkin in the woods, weirdest thing I ever saw.
Must have been 100 of them in one clearcut.
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No sign that even the crows had touched them.
Guess I should have gone back :dunno:
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Actually attempting to avoid a "bait" situation because I will shoot a bear, if it gives me the chance.
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I know that if I spread any scent, bait, attractant (etc ) I am legally culpable.
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However...
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Pumpkins are out.
Again, not really going to place bait, just wondering about attracting them to my camera so I can see who's hanging with the herd.
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Canned pumpkin, smear it on trees. Gonna bring in the bears too.
If I was going to smear anything on the trees it would be peanut butter.
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But, yeah the bear would get that also...
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And I would have 5000 chipmunk pictures.
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Canned pumpkin...would that attract deer too?
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Seriously thinking about cow in heat scent.
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Beginning about mid August?
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Really throw those 2 year old bulls into a frenzy by the time muzzleloader season comes..
:chuckle:
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Canned pumpkin...would that attract deer too?
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Probably, but I think the canned apple with cinnamon would bring them in like crazy.
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But, you would not be able to shoot a bear.
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I really only see bear while deer and elk hunting.
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I don't want to actually place any substance.
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Scent, is one thing.
Salt, or minerals is another.
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Actually placing a food product?
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That's different.
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Put some cams on water holes, find the ones they use regularly and forget about scent or other attractants. Hunt the wind and manage your scent. :tup:
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Not to :jacked: my own post.
But until the mid 80's, not only was there an otc spring bear in certain units, but bait was legal.
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Then they redefined what bait was legal before they made it ALL illegal.
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I don't want that to happen for deer and elk, even though I won't do it myself.
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I just get bored not exploring...
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Put some cams on water holes, find the ones they use regularly and forget about scent or other attractants. Hunt the wind and manage your scent. :tup:
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Coastal Washington, there is water everywhere .
I cross the same creek 15+ times following the trail.
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Water doesn't mean nothing.
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Except they use them as travel corridors.
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My #1 spot, is actually a decommissioned road that the bridge over the creek was removed.
The road continues on the other side, and eventually comes out on huge area of private timberland that is walk in only, however about a 6 mile ride for you guys on bikes.
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The timber between these areas is infested with trails that come from bedding to lower feeding areas behind "no access" private property.
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Average is 8-12 cows (used to be 20+) and 2-3 legal bulls.
They run from the guys bugling during archery and hide on private land.
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Bulls follow the lead cow.
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Salt blocks and apples been working for years. You can try the deer blocks but the elk prefer salt
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Cow piss and apples, but if apples are strange to them it’s not as effective, and once the bears find your apples it sucks
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You might try a bag of COB.
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Salt blocks and apples been working for years. You can try the deer blocks but the elk prefer salt
How much success have you had with salt blocks on the coast?
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The problem with apples is that, with the current baiting laws, the apples last about 15 minutes once the animals find them. Unless you're going every day to replenish your apple pile, they won't last long enough to work.
COB is probably the way to go.
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My bet is on the salt .
Cheap ,effective,lasts for awhile.
Only negative is salt is heavy to carry.
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Since you’re not really wanting to use bait or attractint, find an area with lots of trails and try blocking some of them with down wood, something they don’t want to crawl under or jump over, “guide” them to the trail u want.
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Early mourning,evening at dusk.
Gotta catch then in the transition zone ,between public and private.
Spend enough time there in season ,you'll catch em in the public.
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Early mourning,evening at dusk.
Gotta catch then in the transition zone ,between public and private.
Spend enough time there in season ,you'll catch em in the public.
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Not the issue..
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I am just wondering if anyone actually had any success using an attractant.
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Early mourning,evening at dusk.
Gotta catch then in the transition zone ,between public and private.
Spend enough time there in season ,you'll catch em in the public.
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Not the issue..
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I am just wondering if anyone actually had any success using an attractant.
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Your on your own
Gave what advise I had.
It's your issue now.
But I will say I've never killed an animal over salt or any attracting.
But it will tell what's in the area. With use of trail cam.
That's all I got,if there using the public at all durring day lite hours you need know or be there.
Good luck!
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My bet is on the salt .
Cheap ,effective,lasts for awhile.
Only negative is salt is heavy to carry.
+1
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Castoreum, contained in most beaver lures, look for beaver gland lures. I have found castoreum to be very attractive to elk especially bull elk during the rut. Put some on a rotten stump and they will tear the stump up.
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Alright after the beaver attracting tool.
One more tip.
Take woman's once a month products.....used....save them till season ,hang them down the trail you want the biggest bull to go down.
Bingo/bango
Bull down.
I have heard of this before,but never tried it.
Up to you.
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Castoreum, contained in most beaver lures, look for beaver gland lures. I have found castoreum to be very attractive to elk especially bull elk during the rut. Put some on a rotten stump and they will tear the stump up.
:yeah: This seems like the answer to ops question. The beaver scent works. This thread has been entertaining. He said he specifically didn't want to use bait and he gets cob,apples and pumpkins lol. Apparently salt is not an attractant on the coast and everyone says salt! I know salt would be no 1 where I hunt but sounds like its not effective on the coast. On an Idaho bear bait a friend tried a beaver lure that slowly dripped and he had way more elk then bears. Since you said you wanted a SCENT type attractant not bait I would definitely try this first :tup:
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Alright after the beaver attracting tool.
One more tip.
Take woman's once a month products.....used....save them till season ,hang them down the trail you want the biggest bull to go down.
Bingo/bango
Bull down.
I have heard of this before,but never tried it.
Up to you.
Id hate to pass by your stand 🤪
Itd be like WTF is up with a bunch of used mice on strings hanging ?
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Salt won’t work. Even out here more inland it doesn’t work. I’ve used salt in e-wa and gotten thousands of pics. Tried it here and almost got zero pics. Apples work but they go through them fast. They like pumpkins but no pumpkins this time of year.
Wierd. I've had the best luck with salt. I use trace minerals with selenium since I'm in a hoof rot area. They pound it. The only problem is the quit hitting it around August when the bulls get hard horned. The cows quit using it when their calves ween. So late summer to winter they don't use it much. Winter to August they can't get enough.
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Salt won’t work. Even out here more inland it doesn’t work. I’ve used salt in e-wa and gotten thousands of pics. Tried it here and almost got zero pics. Apples work but they go through them fast. They like pumpkins but no pumpkins this time of year.
Wierd. I've had the best luck with salt. I use trace minerals with selenium since I'm in a hoof rot area. They pound it. The only problem is the quit hitting it around August when the bulls get hard horned. The cows quit using it when their calves ween. So late summer to winter they don't use it much. Winter to August they can't get enough.
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I used the same type of salt as you. Nada.
Also saw the same results as you with the salt and the bulls losing velvet and then losing interest in the salt.
I guess I shouldn't have said "salt won't work" because it clearly works for some people. I've got a couple buddies who have had the same result as me with it on the west side.
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Controlled studies have shown elk and deer use salt licks mostly while feeding on lush vegetation i.e. spring and early summer. Disease transmission is always a concern when you concentrate animals with artificial feeding or salt and with CWD spreading in the west, I won't be doing it anymore.
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Controlled studies have shown elk and deer use salt licks mostly while feeding on lush vegetation i.e. spring and early summer. Disease transmission is always a concern when you concentrate animals with artificial feeding or salt and with CWD spreading in the west, I won't be doing it anymore.
I have read this too but it doesn’t make sense to me. Elk are concentrated most of the time. I have seen herds of 100 plus elk together? During rut a herd bull has a bunch of cows with at least a few satellites running around? I rarely see one elk all by itself. I don’t get how a salt lick would lead to them being more concentrated. To each there own 👍
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Controlled studies have shown elk and deer use salt licks mostly while feeding on lush vegetation i.e. spring and early summer. Disease transmission is always a concern when you concentrate animals with artificial feeding or salt and with CWD spreading in the west, I won't be doing it anymore.
I have read this too but it doesn’t make sense to me. Elk are concentrated most of the time. I have seen herds of 100 plus elk together? During rut a herd bull has a bunch of cows with at least a few satellites running around? I rarely see one elk all by itself. I don’t get how a salt lick would lead to them being more concentrated. To each there own 
This is spot on. It kinda of like covid you are going to get it or not. Cwd in elk is going happen or not they always live in herds. Same with mule deer they are always more than likely bunched up. Whitetail aren't that way as they run in smaller groups. I do not believe salt licks would have any effect on cwd. Sounds like a commission statement to get the general public to ban it.
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You have to establish a salt or mineral site.
It takes time for them to find it. There are tricks and tips that can go with ,where to put it with terrain ,game trails and such.
The most important,you can't put it out opening day and expect results ,it doesn't work that way.
I have some spots that I've been dropping salt for 5+ years.
If your gonna use salt this late in the year.
Get it in there asap.
On a trail that has fresh Elk tracks from yesterday.
That's my advise.
I have some other tricks,but those are stuff my kids and brothers only know.
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Alright after the beaver attracting tool.
One more tip.
Take woman's once a month products.....used....save them till season ,hang them down the trail you want the biggest bull to go down.
Bingo/bango
Bull down.
I have heard of this before,but never tried it.
Up to you.
Id hate to pass by your stand 🤪
Itd be like WTF is up with a bunch of used mice on strings hanging ?
Old timer told it to me ,not sure if he was pulling my leg or what.
But he said it worked for WT deer . :dunno:
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Controlled studies have shown elk and deer use salt licks mostly while feeding on lush vegetation i.e. spring and early summer. Disease transmission is always a concern when you concentrate animals with artificial feeding or salt and with CWD spreading in the west, I won't be doing it anymore.
What about the mineral tubs the cattle guys put out on their grazing leases that get hammered by deer/elk/moose as well as cows ? What about the concentrations of deer/elk that flood the areas cattle guys roll out bales for their cows ? Deer always clean up after cows all winter here anyway.
Studies are agenda driven, lets not forget that.
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Controlled studies have shown elk and deer use salt licks mostly while feeding on lush vegetation i.e. spring and early summer. Disease transmission is always a concern when you concentrate animals with artificial feeding or salt and with CWD spreading in the west, I won't be doing it anymore.
What about the mineral tubs the cattle guys put out on their grazing leases that get hammered by deer/elk/moose as well as cows ? What about the concentrations of deer/elk that flood the areas cattle guys roll out bales for their cows ? Deer always clean up after cows all winter here anyway.
Studies are agenda driven, lets not forget that.
Yup totally agree.
Deer and elk always clean up after livestock .
Never hurt them before.
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Deer Cocaine black magic. You won’t be disappointed
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Controlled studies have shown elk and deer use salt licks mostly while feeding on lush vegetation i.e. spring and early summer. Disease transmission is always a concern when you concentrate animals with artificial feeding or salt and with CWD spreading in the west, I won't be doing it anymore.
What about the mineral tubs the cattle guys put out on their grazing leases that get hammered by deer/elk/moose as well as cows ? What about the concentrations of deer/elk that flood the areas cattle guys roll out bales for their cows ? Deer always clean up after cows all winter here anyway.
Studies are agenda driven, lets not forget that.
Yup totally agree.
Deer and elk always clean up after livestock .
Never hurt them before.
Never had CWD as a threat before. In the past I've placed tons, yes tons, of salt in the woods of western Oregon. It would be hammered in late spring/early summer but would be mostly abandoned by fall. It just wasn't worth the effort for the dubious benefit and not worth the risk of starting a disease outbreak.
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Salt blocks and apples been working for years. You can try the deer blocks but the elk prefer salt
How much success have you had with salt blocks on the coast?
Ive used the salt blocks back when i hunted Nemah area. I hear you on the apples. ya got to have a good supply and its alot of work. But i know a camp in St Helens thats starts in with the apples in august and keeps it going right threw the season. they actually hunt over the apples from stands and do quite well.
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Deer Cocaine black magic. You won’t be disappointed
marketing gimmick to lure in hunters and charge tons of money for sodium. What the elk and deer want in that product is plain and simple its the salt(sodium) go to the feed store and buy a 50lb bag for $9 and achieve the same thing
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Deer Cocaine black magic. You won’t be disappointed
marketing gimmick to lure in hunters and charge tons of money for sodium. What the elk and deer want in that product is plain and simple its the salt(sodium) go to the feed store and buy a 50lb bag for $9 and achieve the same thing
Yup
Totally agree
A lot of hype ,my opinion better stuff at the feed store for the price.
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love it when people argue and say no its the product! no its salt!
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love it when people argue and say no its the product! no its salt!
Ya that salt.
I'm sure you might agree with this.
I like to make sure there is a water source within a quarter mile or closer.
Just like any animal that takes in a lot of salt ,will need a water source.
Something eles I've noticed over the years ,
When we are having extreme heat temperatures,cob,corn,any super high protein feed isn't good for deer or elk.
But the old salt ,next to a water source,doesn't seem to effect deer and elk year round.
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I just buy salt blocks and break into chunks that will fit in my backpack.
Or you can buy the smaller ones.
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this time of year elk, deer and moose get a ton of water from their feed. Its also why there is huge draw to salt for the animals as they are basically washing out any sodium they do obtain from moisture rich food. When the vegetation drys up you usually notice a drop in salt activity
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this time of year elk, deer and moose get a ton of water from their feed. Its also why there is huge draw to salt for the animals as they are basically washing out any sodium they do obtain from moisture rich food. When the vegetation drys up you usually notice a drop in salt activity
That sounds about right.
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love it when people argue and say no its the product! no its salt!
Ya that salt.
I'm sure you might agree with this.
I like to make sure there is a water source within a quarter mile or closer.
Just like any animal that takes in a lot of salt ,will need a water source.
Something eles I've noticed over the years ,
When we are having extreme heat temperatures,cob,corn,any super high protein feed isn't good for deer or elk.
But the old salt ,next to a water source,doesn't seem to effect deer and elk year round.
Why is the cob bad for them during the heat? I know it’s bad during the winter because their gut is not able to process the high protein when they are on diets of sticks and pine needles. I’ve been told some will even die on green grass if it comes on too quick in the spring. Just wondering what the negative effect is during the heat? I want to help the herd not hurt it. I also thought this applied more to deer than elk.
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Deer Cocaine black magic. You won’t be disappointed
marketing gimmick to lure in hunters and charge tons of money for sodium. What the elk and deer want in that product is plain and simple its the salt(sodium) go to the feed store and buy a 50lb bag for $9 and achieve the same thing
I’ve bought the 50lb bags. Didn’t work nearly as well. There’s more than just salt in these bags.
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Go Check Out Blacktail Drop Zone's Minerals. I've had great results using them. Go Check them out on Facebook. They are based out of S. Oregon. I've got some great Rosie's and Blacktail Bucks on camera this year using their products.
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It is easy to custom blend anything you want and yes things change as food sources change. Selenium is important in most of the PNW, absolutely required for reproduction and natural sources are near zero here. Be very careful with it, the correct amount makes things work, as little as 3x that can be toxic.
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love it when people argue and say no its the product! no its salt!
Ya that salt.
I'm sure you might agree with this.
I like to make sure there is a water source within a quarter mile or closer.
Just like any animal that takes in a lot of salt ,will need a water source.
Something eles I've noticed over the years ,
When we are having extreme heat temperatures,cob,corn,any super high protein feed isn't good for deer or elk.
But the old salt ,next to a water source,doesn't seem to effect deer and elk year round.
Why is the cob bad for them during the heat? I know it’s bad during the winter because their gut is not able to process the high protein when they are on diets of sticks and pine needles. I’ve been told some will even die on green grass if it comes on too quick in the spring. Just wondering what the negative effect is during the heat? I want to help the herd not hurt it. I also thought this applied more to deer than elk.
It's all the same year round.
It takes time for there gut to adjust no matter the season or diet they are on.
Just in the summer dehydration comes into play.
If you feed cob or corn year round ,with a feeder that throws a certain amount everyday is best.
With the bluetongue ,movement to reach water daily with drought conditions I just assume leave there diet to nature.
In the hot summer months.
After last summer I almost think these drought /extreme heat is just as bad as winter months.
It's just my opinion ,no real facts,sorry.
The deer around my place won't see any cob or corn or heavy protein until late fall.
Now some people will say different,that deer need extra protein now,cause spring food is dryed up. Deer are mainly eating brush type plants as summer and fall come in.
Antler growth this month,ECT,ECT.
But antler growth means nothing to me.
Over all health means more to me,and your deer are all organic meat .
Now I have nothing against anybody that uses cob,corn,or a pellet this time of year.
Just remember that a daily amount that stays the same daily is best.
A lot of guys go out dump the whole bag,they eat it,takes time to adjust,then more time to adjust back to there regular diet,all the while dealing with extreme heat/drought is not good.
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https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-antlermax-deer-block-33-lb-3004575-604
Works like a charm
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https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-antlermax-deer-block-33-lb-3004575-604
Works like a charm
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Have you put one out in elk or bear county? I find that they both like to roll them around and pretty soon it isn't even close to being in front of your camera anymore. Not a problem with deer.
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Deer Cocaine black magic. You won’t be disappointed
marketing gimmick to lure in hunters and charge tons of money for sodium. What the elk and deer want in that product is plain and simple its the salt(sodium) go to the feed store and buy a 50lb bag for $9 and achieve the same thing
I’ve bought the 50lb bags. Didn’t work nearly as well. There’s more than just salt in these bags.
It’s the salt they want. Keep believing. I’ve been running salt licks for 30 years. Never had a single issue getting deer and elk to come in. 2-3k pics a week is all I need :chuckle:
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https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-antlermax-deer-block-33-lb-3004575-604
Works like a charm
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Have you put one out in elk or bear county? I find that they both like to roll them around and pretty soon it isn't even close to being in front of your camera anymore. Not a problem with deer.
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No matter what you put out bears will always be a problem. As for the Elk the bigger herds of cows we have on the east side will wipe it out in a couple days. Usually drop of sack of selenium mineral salt and a block to get them started out.
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also people new to dumping salt there is ways to make 1 bag last a long time. Dump in March if you can during the westseaon and get that salt into the ground. Another tactic is to dump when they wont hit it much in November or december and let that moisture wash it into the ground. Animals will come back to that for a long time. Dumping in dry season and lots of elk not much of it gets into the ground and gets eaten up
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I'm my experience the elk and deer on the west side r not crazy about Mineral blocks like they r on the east side. They go crazy on the east side. I saw some pumpkins in clear cuts.
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https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-antlermax-deer-block-33-lb-3004575-604
Works like a charm
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Have you put one out in elk or bear county? I find that they both like to roll them around and pretty soon it isn't even close to being in front of your camera anymore. Not a problem with deer.
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No matter what you put out bears will always be a problem. As for the Elk the bigger herds of cows we have on the east side will wipe it out in a couple days. Usually drop of sack of selenium mineral salt and a block to get them started out.
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I know bears will come to anything. I have been doing this drill for a long time also so I know the ins and outs. Everything you have said is spot on. My experience with putting out blocks is the bear and elk will push or roll away from the camera so all of a sudden you aren't getting as many pictures because the block has been removed from the camera frame by a critter. That is why I have went to nothing but loose materials that I put down. What is also good about loose materials is that when you do have a big heard of elk come in they trample alot of into the soil, so even in the drier months they still eat most of it but alot gets trampled and turned in the soil keeping it there.
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I haven't had any bear move or touch my salt all year.
And that's all I use.
I've had them try to mess with the camera more than the salt.
Just my experience this year ,so far.
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I get a random bear on my salts, but not many
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Guess I should of been more clear. I was referring to the grain block you shared a link to. I find when I put one of those out the bears will roll it around and usually out of view of the camera
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It’s looking like we all could get rich
$$. Just need to find the miracle west side elk attractant 
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Private property seems to be the best attractant once opening day arrives
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Private property seems to be the best attractant once opening day arrives
The amount of truth in this statement hurts painfully haha
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Private property seems to be the best attractant once opening day arrives
:yeah: or a no hunting/trespassing sign.
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Private property seems to be the best attractant once opening day arrives
:yeah: or a no hunting/trespassing sign.
I agree, the location is near a border of state land from private to free access timberland.
They travel along both sides of a creek, and seem to take several different trails.
I'm trying to figure out how to make them choose one trail so I can get pictures.
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Other than just hoping they cross through the area.
It is crossed with several trails from them wandering through.
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Get apples. Lots of apples. Pick them out of your neighbors yard. Pack them in.
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I've had salt blocks out, cob, alfalfa, and alfalfa pellets out since July 1 in my backyard to see what's back there in my new place. I've had lots of elk hoth bulls and cows and lots of deer but nothing has touched any of the feed. A few pics of them sniffing it but they just walk by.