Which mineral block?

[Pat B]

For the last few years we have been keeping a trail camera out all year long. Here are a few pics I got back in June. Note on the right where the roots are exposed. I walked by today and that hole is about 2' deep. I usually put out one 50# mineral blocs right after hunting season and another in early spring. I've been doing this for almost 20 years. It has become a major crossroads on my property. Here are a few of the visitors...
 

 

 

[Bud B.]

I checked the trophy rock yesterday. There's a worn path to it now and it's licked glossy glass smooth on top. It has only been out for about three weeks..

[ALwoodsman]

For the last several years I have been mixing the following with great results:

2 parts trace mineral
2 parts white salt
1 part dicalcium phosphate

You can buy the ingredients in 50 lb. bags for about $40 total.  That will give you 150 lbs. which will last quite a while.  I have been mixing a 5 gallon bucket full and putting it in the same spot every year.

[Bud B.]

I checked my trophy rock again and it is still licked glass smooth but noticeably smaller.  The ground around it is worn to bare dirt in spots. It's in a stand of Virginia pines and the pine needles and sticks are pushed aside.

It's been roughly a month and I'm not sure this one will last another 7 weeks until season start. The deer must be going crazy over it.

[toppredator]

I've had a Trophy Rock out for almost a month and they've licked it down to about half it's size.  It's the first time I've tried it and they seem to really like it.  TRW

[Gary Logsdon]

I pick up bags of each ingredient from my local Southern States Coop and mix my own.  It works great and is cheaper.  Basically I dig a shallow hole, pour a good quanity in the center and taper the rest outward to the edges.  After mixing the soil and salts/tracemineral/dical with a heavy garden rake I'm good to go.  A lot of guys around here like to sweeten the mix with dry molasses . . . they claim that it gets the deer on the licks sooner.

[deadmule]

Another vote for Trophy rock. The deer will have it gone in less than 2 weeks.

A note to Iowa hunters, my game warden friend says that even though the Trophy Rock and other mineral blocks are sold in Iowa, they are not legal here. Game wardens will accuse you of baiting if they are anywhere near where you are hunting.  Personally, if they were to be used as vitamin and mineral supplement for the deer, i would use them for the deers health if I had my own land.