If you are interested in attracting deer to your property, a salt lick is a good way to do it. You may be a hunter or maybe just a wildlife enthusiast who is interested in attracting whitetail deer to your land. There are many formulas listed online that will attract deer, and I believe most of them would be effective. I have used several over the years and have had good luck with them.
If there is deer sign on your land or a game trail with deer tracks, you are way ahead of the game. And, if there is a source of water on the land, chances are high there are deer around -- especially if there are white oak trees producing mast nearby. Deer love acorns and will oftentimes leave corn alone in order to go after acorns.
Some may be curious as to what the difference is between feeding deer corn and having a salt lick on your place. One difference is that a well-maintained salt lick is useful year round while corn is usually fed in the colder months. And, a salt lick provides nutrients that aren't found in corn. The salt lick obviously provides sodium, which is essential to life, but it also contains other important nutrients that deer and other animals need. I am not sure about claims that certain minerals produce bigger antlers. The jury seems to be out on that at present. I tend to think antler size is a product of genetics. One thing is certain, salt is the one mineral that deer crave. Even a simple salt block will see some action if there are deer around.
Some folks spend an incredible amount of money on mixtures with fancy labels sold at sporting goods stores, but the cheapest place to buy your supplies is at your local feed supply. They will probably have what you need or can get it quickly.
Here is a good recipe for a whitetail salt lick:
- 1 part Di-calcium phosphate. This is a dairy feed additive you can buy at the feed store.
- 2 parts Trace mineral salt, loose in the bag, without the medications. Some call it Red Salt.
- 1 part Stock salt or ice cream salt.
This mixture works well as is, but you can also add some corn and dried, powdered molasses if you want to give the deer a real treat.
The other day, Linda and I took our grandson Landon down to our farm on Flint Creek to make a salt lick. I found what looked like a good spot close to a game trail and, using a rake, I pulled the grass and weeds aside. I then chopped the soil up with a shovel, working up an area about a yard and a half in diameter. Then I scattered my mixture on this spot, mixing it well with the soil. Then I poured a little corn mixed with dried molasses on top of the pile. Next to this I placed a mineral block. That's all it took to make a salt lick. I plan to keep an eye on this lick as we move into the fall deer season.
Now, I need to tell you that the best time to make a salt lick is in the spring. But I take the position that it's better late than never. Summer is a good time as well. If you do make your salt lick in the spring, it may need to be replenished sometime in the fall.
A well-placed salt lick will, in time, become a gathering place for many types of animals, including deer, raccoon, fox and birds. It can be a real source of blessing to the landowner who is witness to the wildlife that makes its way to the lick.
Salt licks are easy to establish and are easily maintained. All it takes is a good location -- which could be anywhere from your backyard to an isolated site in the deer woods -- and a commitment to keeping the salt lick going. Your efforts in such an endeavor will be well rewarded.
Sam Byrnes is a Gentry-area resident and weekly contributor to the Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 09/14/2016