Over the past 3 years, I have set out mineral blocks in areas that I knew had activity, but wanted to make sure the deer didn't move through too fast. Each time I have set out a $5 (now $6) red block from Tractor Supply Co, found here.
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| A pitiful image, courtesy of Tractor Supply |
Whatever the case, it is legal to hunt over bait, and minerals are considered bait, in Ohio. I have found this to be one of the largest benefactors to bringing in deer consistently to an area for hunting.
I'll typically douse it in some type of molasses, whatever is on sale at the time, when I first put it out to kick start the deer's awareness of it. I don't know if it helps, but I think it does.
PLACEMENT
One important thing to consider is where you place the mineral block. As this thing dissolves, the deer will literally eat the dirt out from underneath it. A very common thing to do is put it on a rotten stump. I did this on an old rotten log, about 2' in diameter. Two years later, it looks like a beaver cut the log in half, right where the block was. Now, since I moved from that area, I have a block sitting on a rotting stump... of which much has disappeared in only 9 months time!
Other blocks out there advertised for deer seem to be higher priced AND are smaller. I checked Amazon and Farm and Fleet to see if there was anything better priced and have yet to find a block cheaper and heavier. So if you are just getting started, I highly recommend the cheap red block from Tractor Supply.
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