Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Advice for salt/ mineral lick setup

I'm looking to put out some salt and mineral supplements, but don't know much about them. When/where do you put it out, how frequently, what do you use? Does it need to be near water source? There are cattle on much of the property I hunt, and I want to keep them from finding it. Thanks!

I hunt near Auburn. We use 1 white block + 2 brown mineral blocks to start 1 lick. Make a hole about 3ft in diameter and 5-6 inches deep. Bust up the blocks with a sledge hammer mix back into the hole with the dirt. Our deer tear them up and dig in them all summer. We go back once a month and spice them up with cain, crush or more mineral. We have 550 acres and have 4 major lick sites spread across the property. 2 are near water but we see the same activity on those as we do the others farther away from water. Usually they stop hitting them about this time of year. Figure it must be more of a hot weather need for them. We had far less results when we use to just drop the block on top of the ground. Just telling what we see and experience on our Lee County property. Others probably have good results with other methods.

�1 part Di-Calcium Phosphate ◦This is mainly used as a dairy feed additive and for livestock. Comes in 50lb bag, usually around $12
�2 parts Trace mineral salt ◦Red and loose, non medicated. Comes in 50lb bag, usually around $5
�1 part Stock salt ◦The same salt you use for making ice cream. Comes in 50lb bag, usually around $4
Directions:
�Mix your mineral mixture together.
�Dig a hole in the ground about 6 inches deep.
�Pour your mixture into the hole. You can also use a tree stump and pour your mixture on and around.
�Place your trail cam next to your salt lick to see what deer you are attracting.
This is the best one ive ever used

50 lbs bag of white salt. Just pour it on the ground and walk away.

Ok thanks. From what I've read, I should wait til spring to put it out, correct? I hope I can find a place to put it so the cows won't find it

The best time to put it out is when you can. If you can put it out now, then put it out now. If you can't put it out until Spring, then do it then.

You can put it out when ever you have time. I need to but haven't refreshed mine in the last two seasons and they still use it on a daily basis, once the minerals are in the soil it stays active for quiet some time, they have dug it out from a small 2inch to 3inch deep and probable 1ft by 3ft hole and its now close to a foot to a foot and a half deep and about four times the size. The Di-Calcium Phosphate serves well for antler growth be careful not to use to much though it is very bitter and the deer don't care to much for the bitterness! and its always best to try getting out before it rains so it can soak in the soil make sure you cover it up with the excess dirt from digging!

How do they find it? They smell it?

I'll take several bags of that $12 di-cal, where you getting it that cheap?

id say put it off a main trail 5yards to 10 yard preferable between there bedding area and there main food source!!! Smell is the main attractant so if your wanting them to find more quickly after you put the lick down top it off with some Molasses or something of that nature once one deer finds it they all seem to follow!!!

I use 1 part (1/2 a 50 lb bag) of di-cal phosphate to 2 parts ( 1 50 lb bag) of red trace mineral. No need to add plain salt as the trace mineral is 90% or more salt. Just find a slight depression in the ground or dig a shallow hole, pour it in and mix it up with a stick, hoe or such.

Yea I know I just found the mix I use and copied and pasted it on here. I know the price of di-cal is quiet a bit more than that now days!! I didn't realize it even added the prices when I posted it.

actually last time I mixed mine I didn't use plain salt just so happened I thought the same thing its just a waste of money to add salt on top of salt!

Yep, close to double that. Trace mineral is not bad, but di-cal has went thought the roof last few years.

Last I check trace mineral was about $7 for a 50lb bag and di-cal was right at $28 for a 50lb bag from the local co-op!

Regular trace mineral is all I've ever used.. They also like ice cream salt. Had a lot of luck starting a lick with just ice cream salt. Then bout 20lbs of trace every 4 weeks.. Got several holes dug out the size of truck beds and larger..

We have been putting out pool salt and they tear it up.

x2
I do the same thing, it's better than a salt block because you can divide it up and make multiple scrapes for the same price as buying one block

Trophy rock! I dump a bag of corn on it if its in a spot I have never had one out before. The corn is so they find it pretty quick then I never put corn on it again. Keep a rock out year round.

Take block and put into burlap feed bag, hit with hammer, split into quarters..