Deer Salt Licks and Mineral Blocks

Check Your State Rules First

Before anything else, look up the rules where you hunt or own land. Some states allow mineral sites year round, some limit them to certain seasons, and some restrict them in certain areas. Rules can also differ for private and public land and can change from year to year. Your state wildlife agency is the place to check. Nothing on this page means a product is legal to use everywhere.

How a Deer Mineral Site Works

Deer seek out salt and minerals, and a site where they can find them gives deer a reason to come back. That makes a lick or mineral site a popular way to watch deer on a property, take inventory with a trail camera and learn travel patterns. Wildlife watchers use the same approach simply to see more deer.

Over time, deer paw and lick the soil where minerals have soaked in, so a good site can stay active well after the product itself is gone.

Blocks, Granular or Liquid?

Salt and Mineral Blocks

Blocks are the easiest place to start. Set one on the ground or on a stump and leave it. The Evolved Infuzed Salt Block comes in a 25 lb apple block or a 20 lb protein block. Buck Lickers Flavored Mineral Blocks are 4 lb blocks in acorn, apple, persimmon and sweet corn, and the Evolved Habitats Mineral Block is also 4 lb.

Granular Minerals

Granular mixes are poured onto the ground or into a stump, where rain carries them into the soil. Evolved Buck Licker Apple Deer Mineral comes in a 30 lb size, Lucky Buck Mineral Deer Supplement and Big Buck Magnet Amped in 20 lb sizes, and Deer Cane offers Deer Cane Granular Deer Mineral at 6.5 lb and Deer Cane Black Magic at 4.5 lb.

Liquid Minerals

Liquids soak into the ground right away and are handy for starting a new site or refreshing an old one. Evolved Habitats Deer Mineral Liquid comes in 1 gallon jugs in apple, acorn and molasses flavors, and Deer Cane Liquid Deer Mineral Attractant also comes in a 1 gallon size.

Himalayan Salt Licks

The Himalayan Salt Lick with Rope comes in 4.4 lb and 8.8 lb sizes. The rope lets you hang it from a branch for wildlife, or in a stall for horses. It is also listed in our livestock and mineral salt collection.

Deer Minerals Compared

Which One Should You Buy?

• Just getting started: a block, such as the Evolved Infuzed Salt Block or a Buck Lickers block, is simple and low effort.
• Building a long-term site: a granular mineral in a 20 or 30 lb size lets you work product into the soil over time.
• Starting fast or refreshing: a 1 gallon liquid soaks in right away.
• Mixing it up: many landowners pair a block with a granular or liquid at the same site.

How to Set Up a Site

• Check your state regulations for your county and season.
• Pick a quiet spot near cover and deer travel routes, away from roads and buildings.
• Clear a small patch of ground, or use an old stump.
• Place the block, pour the granular mix or apply the liquid, following the label.
• Add a trail camera facing the site to see what visits and when.
• Refresh the site as the product wears down.

How Much to Order

One block or one bag is enough to start a single site. If you plan to run several sites across a property, or want to refresh them through the season, order enough for each site plus a refill. Weather and deer numbers change how fast product goes, so a trail camera and a quick check each visit will tell you when to add more.

What to Watch Out For

• State rules. This is the big one. Always check your state regulations before placing salt or minerals.
• Livestock and pets. Keep deer sites where livestock and pets do not use them, and use livestock products for livestock.
• Water and wells. Keep sites away from wells, ponds and streams so salt does not wash into them.
• Plants. Salt kills vegetation around a site. Choose a spot where that is not a problem.

Buying More at Once

Clubs and landowners setting up many sites can order larger quantities. Pallets ship by LTL freight from Williamstown, NJ, with only the freight quoted, and the per-item price is the same for everyone. Start on the bulk and pallet orders page. For stock salt and blocks, see livestock and mineral salt, and for bait brining salt, see specialty salt.

Quick Answers

Is it legal to use a salt lick for deer in my state?

It depends on where you are. Baiting and mineral rules vary by state and can change, and some areas restrict them. Check your state wildlife agency rules before you set anything out.

Do deer prefer salt or mineral blocks?

Deer seek out both salt and minerals. Many hunters try a mineral product and a plain salt lick at different spots and let a trail camera show which site gets more visits.

When should I put out a salt lick for deer?

Many landowners set up mineral sites in spring and summer. Whatever the timing, check your state regulations first, since some states limit when minerals can be out.

How long does a deer lick last?

It depends on the product, the weather and how many animals use the site. Blocks wear down slowly, while granular and liquid minerals soak into the soil and may need refreshing.

Salt block or mineral block for deer?

A salt block is mainly salt. A mineral block or mix adds other minerals and often a flavor or scent. Read the label to see what each product contains.

Not Sure Which Mineral to Try?

Tell us about your property on the contact page and we will help you choose. Our FAQ covers shipping and ordering. And one more time: check your state regulations first.