How long does it take deer to get used to a salt/mineral block?

If in south LA and it’s a red salt block as opposed to a true mineral only block they will find it. But they are deer and we know how they are with new things. Its like you would be if a strange bottle of good bourbon turned up on your front porch. Too good to be true so nose, eyes and ears in high alert. As hot as it’s been they will hammer it if they are there.

In my experience they take about two weeks to get over something new. Your mileage may vary. On July 3rd I put out a feeder on a fire break that deer were walking every evening in front of a cam, got the first two does at the feeder Monday.

It depends on if they are lacking a mineral in your area. If they are getting what they need already they won’t do much with it

Built a 3’ high fence with a 20’ diameter to keep the hogs out. Feeder on the middle. Took the deer about 4 days to get comfortable hopping in and eating. Now they hit it all night long.

quote:

---

I put out a 50 pound mineral lick this past Saturday

---

I've keep salt and mineral out for my cows and sometimes it seems like months will go by without them touching it. Then all of the sudden it is gone in a week. Just seems like they only get some when they need it, maybe as the seasons change.

They will eventually hit it. I have a feed ring that hasn't had food or mineral block now since deer season. I am still getting pictures of deer in the feed ring hitting the ground where the mineral block dissolved into the soil.

quote:

---

Equal parts red cattle salt, white salt, and dicalcium phosphate.

---

someone posted this a few years ago and its all I've been using since. The deer have wallowed out a hole in the ground getting to it. When I recharge every spring, I dump a jug of deer cane juice over it all to "remind" them where it is. Just give them a few days...they can't help themselves.

I'll add this: you can get mineral salt and white salt blocks from Tractor Supply and bust them up with a sledge hammer, spread the DiCal Phosphate all over it and then the molasses, deer cane juice, acorn rage, whatever all over it to soak in.

I have not seen evidence of pigs in our mineral sites, but we dont use kool-aid or any attractants that pigs like.

I have a few pics on camera of hogs checking it out, but no real interest. It’s great for pregnant Does and buck’s racks. The Dicalcium Phosphate is the key