how long does a salt block last

I was going to put out some salt this year for deer.

I notice that you can get tiny ones (4lbs) and large ones (44lbs) for about the same money, the larger ones of course are more plain than the small ones.

Question: How long do they last (small vs. large).

I am just wondering if I put out a 44lb block, am I good for the whole season, or should I expect to be putting a new one in place every week... every month... ???

Do the small 4lb blocks tend to get lost (I could see a deer just picking it up in it's teeth and walking away with it). so same question, do they last a week, month, full season?

Any hints on usage (on the ground, on a rock, put on a piece of plywood... or perhaps on a dinner-plate with a knife and fork on either side and a softly burning candle?)

Thanks!

In my experience, the large blocks last almost a full year. This will vary depending on how much exposure to rain the block gets.
I generally put the blocks on any large fallen logs that are in the area because the salt soaks into the log and allows the salt lick to be active even after the block has dissolved. If there are no large logs in the area, I just put them on the ground. The salt will also soak into the ground and the deer will dig a pit there, but I don't find that the salt lick will be active for as long after the block dissolves compared to using a log.

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Originally Posted by scarkner

... or perhaps on a dinner-plate with a knife and fork on either side and a softly burning candle?)

Thanks!

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Can see this going along the lines......How much wood can a Woodchuck chuck if a Woodchuck could chuck wood?

Put down 10 Kg blocks last fall, one was gone in 5 months, the other just on tail end now. Moisture in the ground, rain exposure, wildlife usage all have an impact, I think its safe to say a 44 pounder will easily last a year unless its getting flooded all the time. You don't say how your going to get it to the lick site, if your packing it that can have an impact on your selection.

Go with the big boy, that way you don't have to worry about it for a long while (10-15 months). As stated above anything that will soak up the salt is the best, I'd say an old stump is #1 but they will still come to lick/eat the dirt where a block was.

I put one of the big ones out this spring and it has barely dissolved in 4 months. Since I plan to put another one out next year, I cracked it up a bit to get more of it dissolved into the mud. I I could definitely expect to see that thing lasting till next spring if it was whole.

Awesome responses!!!

Thanks for your input. I don't have to carry the block too far and there are a number of boulders and rocks in the area I can set it on. Good to know that they last so long.

let me see salt licks, feeding, baits, food plots etc. Heck why not put up a high fence? Its called hunting, not herding. It was not that long ago when even putting apples out was baiting and illegal. though one could argue that calls and decoys are baiting. But I disagree, outside of electronic calls, it takes talent to actually use them and decoys can spook as well as attract. Scents too, take some sort of experience and skill to attract. just putting out scent does spook them. But when you start putting out salt licks, and deer feedng, this actually changes the feed patterns of the deer.

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Originally Posted by wolfhunter

let me see salt licks, feeding, baits, food plots etc. Heck why not put up a high fence? Its called hunting, not herding. It was not that long ago when even putting apples out was baiting and illegal. though one could argue that calls and decoys are baiting. But I disagree, outside of electronic calls, it takes talent to actually use them and decoys can spook as well as attract. Scents too, take some sort of experience and skill to attract. just putting out scent does spook them. But when you start putting out salt licks, and deer feedng, this actually changes the feed patterns of the deer.

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I'm not aware that baiting deer in Ontario was ever illegal.

Salt licks won't change deer feeding patterns - so you've mixed apples and oranges here - food plots and bait piles - I concede will though.

yes, it was,in fact a friend got charged in 1989 for baiting. He paid a 250 dollar fine and his license was suspended or 2 years. All he did was put a bunch of apples out close to his treestand. My cousin in the late 90's, was also charged when he was using deer cocaine. It may be legal now, but is it moral or ethical? Also when do you seperate baiting from feeding.

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Originally Posted by wolfhunter

yes, it was,in fact a friend got charged in 1989 for baiting. He paid a 250 dollar fine and his license was suspended or 2 years. All he did was put a bunch of apples out close to his treestand. My cousin in the late 90's, was also charged when he was using deer cocaine. It may be legal now, but is it moral or ethical? Also when do you seperate baiting from feeding.

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And what are you're thoughts on hunting bears over bait piles?

I've done it, just not a fan of it. However I do use a "honey burn" or tampons at times. Generally I don't use anything, always get my bear.

can anyone tell me where I can buy these salt blocks near or around Toronto.

Its prob a fine line for alot of people whether its ethical or not.......but for most it prob does not change anyones hunting style regardless whether they drop out salt or not for them (which is actually good for the does during lactation). Most hunters are still going to hunt the same spots regardless whether they have salt out or not, if you think about it your not going to randomly drop out salt anywhere, you would still be scouting out an area finding a well used trail and most likely drop it there. I use salt and its mostly for gathering intel as to what deer are in the area using trail cameras, but I assure you I do my fair share of scouting and putting in time as well.......and I dont generally hunt directly over the salt site as I do over intersecting portions of a well used trail that I would hunt regardless whether there was salt along the trail or not. People use it for all different reasons and I dont believe it to be any less ethical then using scent elimination products or olfactory jamming products or even camo for that matter they all pertain to giving the hunter the upper hand....and if thats the case we would all have to go back to hunting in nothing but a loin cloth with spears.

It is what it is...and too each their own and unless it becomes illegal to do so, nothings going to change it.

Oh and you can buy these blocks at TSC or any farm supply store lol.

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Originally Posted by wolfhunter

let me see salt licks, feeding, baits, food plots etc. Heck why not put up a high fence? Its called hunting, not herding. It was not that long ago when even putting apples out was baiting and illegal. though one could argue that calls and decoys are baiting. But I disagree, outside of electronic calls, it takes talent to actually use them and decoys can spook as well as attract. Scents too, take some sort of experience and skill to attract. just putting out scent does spook them. But when you start putting out salt licks, and deer feedng, this actually changes the feed patterns of the deer.

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We use a water salt softener. You can dilute or just let the rain do it.
We put it on the soft ground and it gets right down. Deer will dig a
huge hole even the next year. Mineral licks are great also. My pics
from the cams are at camp. I've got 3 bucks, (one monster) and 2 does
coming in. But there feeding pattern is not concentrated on the salt.
They come and go, one deer per week sometimes. It's have a big bush.

I just put a big block on a stump somewhere near my blind. In a couple of years the stump is gone....

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Originally Posted by skully1021

can anyone tell me where I can buy these salt blocks near or around Toronto.

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Canadian Tire carries large 44lb blocks. Not all stores carry them, but if you do a stock check you will quickly find which store do and do not carry them in your area. I am sure Bass Pro must carry them too.

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Originally Posted by skully1021

can anyone tell me where I can buy these salt blocks near or around Toronto.

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Try to avoid buying them at a 'hunting' supply store....you'll pay more.

If you can find a livestock feed store locally, they sell a variety of salt blocks much cheaper. They also sell a powder salt (used to mix in feed) that works great to pour over an old stump.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...Pal06/salt.jpg

If you want to be adventurous, you can buy 50 lb tubs of a mineral Sheep Lyx..it's filled with molasses ect that deer love. Bury in the ground and once they find it they come year round.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...D/DSCF0003.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...D/DSCF0004.jpg

You may also find porcupines attracted to your salt licks.....be prepared.

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Originally Posted by Pat32rf

You may also find porcupines attracted to your salt licks.....be prepared.

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EVERYTHING in the bush is attracted to a good salt source....it's a requirement of their diet. If you set up a trail cam you will get hundreds of pics of all sorts of critters....

especially if you mix it into the soil, so it's a more natural presentation....some animals won't 'lick' a salt lick.

depends on how much they hit it and if you keep it out of the rain and snow, i have had a lg one out for two year in a slow area and one in a busy area which i have to replace yearly

which block are you using, brown trace mineral, blue cobalt, or just plain white. Whch do they prefer. I put out a blue block this spring, haven't been in to check it, it is near a deer runway, under an apple tree. I would think that mineral and molasses tub would be great, never thought of that. When I had cattle they would clean one up in no time, come to think of it I have a pail of molasses in the barn yet. Probably a mix of molasses , corn and oats would be popular, think I have an empty tub as well. Used to get dried sugar beet pulp , from the co-op, maybe that could go in the recipe too. Will let you know how it turns out. old243

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Originally Posted by old243

I would think that mineral and molasses tub would be great, never thought of that. When I had cattle they would clean one up in no time, come to think of it I have a pail of molasses in the barn yet.

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They do work great....from experience I might however suggest that you drill holes in the bottom or cut the tub off. The first year I did it I found it collected too much water and it when mouldy.

I use those boulder like red blocks mined from Redmond Utah.
About 16 pounds each.
Put out early April and finally gone by early September.
But lots must be dissolved into ground. Deer dig and lick the 10x15 pit that surrounds it.

Used only to inventory deer on the property.
Trail cam shows they stop using the area by October, even if a part of the block still remains.
Seems like in my area they only want salt spring and summer.