It’s been a year since I’ve put out trail cameras. Thinking about going out to the lease later this month and putting out some mineral sites and putting trail cameras over them. How many of y’all run trail cams all year long? Do you think this is the best way to get an idea of how many deer you have on a property?

Right now is when I probably care the least about trail cam pics. Now is certainly the time to have mineral sites going though. In a month or two when antlers start growing, then I'm running a camera just because I like watching antler development. But yes, I do think a mineral site and a trail camera is one of the most effective and cheapest ways to see what's visiting your property.

would yall make your own mineral site or use something like trophy rock

I usually make my own with di-cal and stock salt. If the deer don't take to it in a couple of weeks I'll throw a trophy rock on it. That usually gets them started on it and they will continue to use it after the trophy rock is gone.

My deer all but left my trophy rock lick when I did the di cal mix. I use the trophy rock 365 now more for cheaper.

I think I’m gonna put out a few bags of the mineral salt that tractor supply sales.

one more time....deer don't really like the taste of Di-Cal. So go light on it.

I learned from a thread on here long ago to use 1 part white stock salt, 1 part trace mineral, and 1/3 part dicalcium phosphate (3 scoops, 3 scoops, 1 scoop, then repeat). All are available at Columbiana co-op in 50lb bags. The di cal is the expensive part. Works great for us, best in clay soil near water. Just dig a hole, and mix it in with the dirt going back into the hole. Deer are already hammering ours, both bucks and does, and they use them until October. Cuts way down on coon and other non-deer pics too.

Yep gotta have the white salt too or they don’t seem to like the mixture where I hunt.