Keep Deer Healthy With the Best Salt Licks for Deer
Deer hunting comes with a fair measure of responsibility for most seasoned hunters. And everyone who is concerned about the ecology and deer habitat will feel compelled to feed and develop the deer herd in order to obtain the best buck for shooting period prep. As a hunter and outdoor enthusiast, providing the proper atmosphere and habitat for deer is a great way to keep them healthy while also scouting their movements in their native habitat. Salts and other minerals aid in the growth of antlers. Salt is beneficial to deer, and they usually crave it. Mineral blocks and salt will entice deer to the hunting places where you place them in a sparse environment. During the spring and summer, for instance, the whitetail deer need salt to aid in the growth of their antlers. It is also the time of year when deer require additional nutrition due to the birth of young fawns. Salt licks will help the deer’s bodies deal with the cold and adapt to it. Below is the list of the best salt licks in 2022
A Complete Buyer's Guide to Salt Lick for Deer
Salt licks can be found in nature or created artificially. A deer is a prominent mammal that goes around hunting for salt licks to combat mineral deficiency. There are a variety of reasons why they travel in search of these minerals, as well as why people want them to. If you want to get one to entice these creatures to your property, here is the comprehensive guide to the greatest deer salt lick.
Why Do Deer Need Salt Licks?
Deer will require additional minerals and salt licks throughout the hotter months of the year. It is because deer hunt for foods high in potassium and water throughout the summer months. As a consequence, a salt deficit is developed. On the other hand, deer will spend the majority of their time seeking salts since their bodies require it.
Salt alone is insufficient for deer, as their bodies require other minerals. It is not what does require in order to give birth to viable deer and produce milk. The minerals must offer the proper mix of phosphorus and calcium for the bucks to develop a healthy antler. According to studies, deer antlers include 11 minerals. However, the majority of them only contribute a small portion of the antler’s survival and prosperity. Calcium and phosphorus account for more than 60% of the antler weight, with proteins accounting for the remaining 40% of the minerals.
However, when the antlers are still velvet and in the growth stage, they will include 80% proteins and 20% calcium and phosphorus. During the spring and fall, most hunters who are aware of this information will set various mineral blocks and salt licks in various deer areas. You should also be aware that no number of mineral licks can miraculously develop deer antlers in a matter of days. It is a management conundrum that has to be solved at the appropriate moment.
How Many Salt Licks Do the Deer Require?
It relies on the size of your land and the region of the hunting spot you are exploring. As a general rule, one location per 100 acres will effectively disperse salt and mineral licks to the deer population. Deer will have exposure to minerals with such a spread, and the majority of the deer population will receive necessary nutrients for growth.
Developing mineral sites is a year-round operation rather than a one-time occurrence. Deer will be drawn to the same areas as long as you keep giving them minerals in the same places. Keeping mineral sites has the benefit of allowing hunters to know where to set up stands while shooting deer during the fair game.
What Are the Various Types of Salt Licks Available on the Market?
Salt licks are available in three different forms: granular, liquid, or mineral block. There is no one thing that is superior to the other because each has its own set of drawbacks and benefits.
Deer hunting using salt licks is not sufficient to keep deer drawn to one location. And hunting is not as organic as supplying these salts and ambushing the deer herd as they graze.
Blocks of mineral
Mineral blocks will take a long time to soak into the earth. The majority of hunters choose to use a block as salts since it lasts longer than other salt licks. Mineral blocks are just salts. However, some may include flavorings and additives to make it more appealing to deer and healthier.
When it comes to blocks, hunters should choose those that mix in well with their surroundings. The goal is to deter other hunters from snatching your feeding spot and setting up camp there. Rock and log forms are popular disguises since they blend in nicely while still attracting deer to your feeding stations.
Granular
Some businesses produce tiny granules that resemble powder. Granules are preferred by certain hunters since they are less noticeable and blend in nicely with the dirt, attracting deer to your feeding place. You must thoroughly mix granular salt licks into the soil before using them. Deer will be fed for a long time at such a location, as it will not need to be replenished regularly.
Granules can contain a mix of popular deer food, like acorns, in addition to minerals and salts. Deer will return to a feeding location to paw and lick it off the ground once it has been established. During hunting season, it will allow a bow hunter more time and space to improve his aim. Varying granules have different levels of success, so you should experiment with them. Try to figure out what the area’s principal diet is and offer the feeds that are not commonly available but are necessary for deer growth.
Granules and powders may deplete fast, and you may need to restock deer-friendly areas on a regular basis. Never use chlorine-containing water when combining granules with water; instead, use only distilled water.
Liquids
Liquids, like granules, sink into the ground fast. Liquids, on the other hand, seem to rinse away faster in areas where there is a lot of rain. They will not endure long, despite their stealth and lack of visibility to other hunters. When using liquids, pick the dry season and return to the location on a frequent basis to replenish lost tastes.
The goal is to start with granular, then build a feeding site, and then back it up with a mineral block, which will persist even if it rains. Lastly, liquid licks are the greatest for reviving previous feeding sites while visiting feeding locations.
Maybe you're wondering what deer like best? You can find out in J&J Acres' video, where they see what deer like to eat.
Where Should You Keep Salt Licks?
There is no assurance that deer will flock to your feeding stations. The best you can do is try out different strategies and feeds to see which ones perform best for your website. You should learn everything you can about the land you are hunting on and set up food and mineral sources that deer will discover and devour. Deer do not like to be seen when they are feeding, so even though the mineral licks are attractive, they will not eat them if they are not safe.
Exploring the neighborhood to find the best location
Before building a site, select an area with a large deer concentration, and try it out. Identify famous deer locations and paths on foot. Salt licks can be placed in the vicinity of an operating funnel. Instead of placing the mineral licks on the deer pathways, consider placing them just beside them.
Never cause disturbance in the area
Skilled hunters understand the necessity of leaving the area uninterrupted since it may alert deer to human presence, causing them to leave the area and never return. Because there is no methodology, hunters must rely on their understanding of the terrain, other animals’ and humans’ interference, as well as ecological diversity.
Factors To Consider When Buying Salt Lick for Deer
The fundamentals
Because not all minerals are made equal, you cannot utilize the same salt licks for animals such as cattle for whitetail deer. Bucks require extra salt throughout the spring and summer months when their antlers are forming. As a result, deer will utilize more salt licks at specific periods of the year. Although whitetail deer utilize salt licks all year, it is not correct that they are the only thing that will attract them to your feeding spot.
You must give the proper minerals at the right time to boost a buck’s antlers and growth. Antler development does not happen quickly since you need to understand more about the deer’s genes, age, and diet. You have no influence over genetics, but you do have control over the maturity and nourishment of the herd you are in charge of.
Selecting the correct product
You may choose from three different types of salt licks, depending on the geography and weather patterns. In rainy places, block salt licks are the finest since they are sturdy and do not rinse away as quickly.
Certain salt licks, such as granular and gritty salt licks, need water to make them permanent and provide a fragrance that lures deer to the grazing place. The optimal moment to mix your minerals is when you are on the job, not at home or at the campsite. When utilizing salt licks for hunting, utilizing granular and then putting a block salt lick at the same location is the best approach to preserve a site for longer periods of time. Fluids have a shorter shelf life and are ideal for wood and shrubs.
Compare the Best Salt Lick for Deers in Detail
Himalayan Nature Licking Salt
– Best Overall
It provides a crucial trace mineral that aids in the development and growth of deer. These salt rocks come from an old salt source deep within the Himalayan Mountains. It is an organic mineral salt that is nutritious and the deer digest it more quickly. During hot temperatures and rutting, deer instinctively seek salt and minerals to restore electrolytes and minerals lost from antlers. This licking salt is environmentally friendly and doesn’t contain any harmful substances.
Put the salts near the feeding plots or game pathways, and deer will be lured to the flavor and return for more if the ground is level and well-drained. This salt lick aids in the replenishment of electrolytes. The salt stimulates the animal to consume, which can help prevent any digestive issues.
- Required for a healthy life
- Ideal for hunting, observing animals and photographing
- Comes in small-sized pieces that can be tricky to handle while shooting
Compressed Himalayan Salt Licks
– Runner Up
Mineral Salts in the form of Himalayan Compressed Pink Salt are 100% natural and pure. For all animals and cattle, it is a practical and perfect supply of the bio-energetic resource needed for their proper development. The hole in the center of this size allows for easy installation of a pole or rope.
These salt licks minimize stressed behaviors like frequent licking and gnawing on fences, among others. It boosts milk output by 5 to 15 percent and strengthens the immune system to fight against common diseases. It aids in the development of lustrous, healthy fur in animals for a beautiful and attractive coat. Moreover, it aids in the hardening of animal hooves to protect them in the wild habitat. In hot temperatures, it replenishes salt lost by animals via perspiration.
- Has a clean surface for a safe licking pleasure
- Contains 84 natural minerals and trace elements
- A bit overpriced
Exprimir Lick Salt
– Honorable Mention
These salt licks are sourced from ancient Himalayan sources. They include many of the crucial nutrients that your animals require for a nutritious diet, as well as being essential to their health and vigor.
When animals consume salt and minerals, it aids in the development of strong bones and muscles, relieves weary and hurting bones, and improves blood and heart health. These salt licks cater to the nutritional needs of all species of cattle. They serve to alleviate monotony while also providing essential nutrients to your animals.
- Many important minerals are present in it
- Assist in the replacement of electrolytes in all animals
- Dissolves in rain
Himalayan Nature Salt Block
– Contender
It is the finest salt content for deer licking since it organically includes more than 84 mineral ions. When licked by the animal, it tends to fill any mineral shortage that may emerge. It is a potent deer attractant because it includes a high amount of Magnesium, Calcium, and Sodium Chloride, which the deer require.
When deer and cattle come across salt content, they cannot stay away. Therefore, it acts as a wonderful deer attractant for hunters and photographers looking for a picturesque scene of deer and other livestock. The salt block is difficult to chew and, like other salt licks, cannot be shattered by an animal’s lick.
- Comes in natural fruit tastes that cattle and animals like
- Hard to chew and break
- Choosy deer may not like the taste
This Salt on a Rope is the most cost-effective salt lick on the market. It will stay 3 times longer as a genuine stone than a compressed salt lick! It aids in the improvement of the health of your pets and animals.
Instead of nylon or cotton, this Salt on a Rope product comes with a durable and lengthy rope. It aids in the replenishment of the lost mineral without being hard on the stomach. Moreover, it includes up to 84 trace minerals, like Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, which are all essential for your companion’s health!
- There are no stabilizers or additives in this product
- Comes with a long and durable rope
- Starts to dissolve soon in rainy environment
People Also Asked
A: Minerals are always useful to deer. However, they are most active in late winter and early spring, when deer are attempting to gain weight and recuperate from the winter.
A: Salt is a favorite of all hooved animals, hence licks made entirely of salt work well to attract deer. Licks with extra tastes, minerals, and nutrients are even preferable, particularly if you locate one that your local deer adore.
A: The salt may be sensed by deer for kilometers. They will sniff it, want it, and come to you because they will want those minerals.
