Antler Points

The great elk biologist, Olaus Murie, said that a salt lick for elk was like a beer fountain in the town center -- much used, probably appreciated, but not necessary. The same can probably be said for white-tailed deer.

I encourage mineral salt-licks to be placed where deer can be observed. That is one reason for the licks -- observing is one way that the deer resource can be used. The sites should be replenished annually for 3 years, then left for 3 years and moved to a spot 50 feet away to reduce any chance of parasite buildup. The lick is rarely, if ever, used in the winter months; greatest use is in early spring. Selecting a good site for a lick is tough (for example, out of a watershed; not easily reached by a poacher; having a good background for photographers; vegetation readily sacrificed since the salt will kill some nearby).

Deer will lick salt from the ground and consume soil. In areas where the deer take a lot of soil, the fecal pellets are like marbles-solid soil. A pit will be created by deer beneath a place where the salt is placed. These are interesting sites and useful in discussions with school children and nature lovers. My view is that deer do not need soil; they do benefit from salt; and an above-ground lick will better meet their needs than having to get salt (and other controlled things) from the ground.

With my staff I once put out loose salt ... to increase mixing in the soil. I now realize this was wasteful and may have been harmful. I now prefer a covered box. The deer, having returned to a site for salt and finding none, will eat salty soil. The managers job is to supply salt, not salty soil. I see no needs for more than one salt block placed per 200 acres or per ownership to "serve" the home ranges of several deer groups.

There is research on salt to be done. There are many more questions than answers. If you want to participate in the The Deer Group cooperative mineral salt study, send for complete instructions. You will be asked to contribute $500 to participate. When enough contracts have been signed and a solid project assured between individuals, hunt clubs, and a scientist, the project will begin. Money will be used for field work, to analyze data, write it up, and send you a report. This will be a 4-year-long study. It will start when $10,000 has been received. This is a unique way for many people to participate in wildlife research at a reasonable level-well below the $20,000 per year minimum for many wildlife studies.

THE DEER GROUP'S

Salt Lick Project: A Concept Note for Hospitals, Extended Care, and Other Units

If you spend a lot of time looking out a window at an area where you often see deer, then we need your help. The Lasting Forests Deer Group is a dynamic new group seeking to understand and manage the deer resource of Virginia. We need information about many factors of the deer, but you can help us with one that will take years to solve. We'll not wait any longer. We'll not put it off until funds are available and the time is right. You can help now.

We want you to report on when you see deer actively licking on a mineral salt block.

We want you to spend a few dollars on a small mineral salt block (available from any feed/seed store). Use a mineral block (not plain; not sulfur). Put it on a log or post where you can see it well, but at a distance (so the deer will not be frightened away by your presence). (Replace it when it is used up. The deer will continue to lick at the salty ground beneath the block.)

We want to know the day (date) and the time of day when the deer actually use the salt block (not just sniff, etc.), but clearly are taking something from the block. We also need to know whether each deer observed using the salt lick is a buck (with antlers) or antlerless (either a female or a young buck without antlers). Fill in the form for every day you see deer at the lick.

The need is for a consistent, regular record of observations. It is especially suitable that people who regularly watch a yard, field, or forest edge for many hours each day to learn about deer use of salt.

We request you send in a report every 4 months. We shall summarize results from several observers and send you a report. The results will clarify periods of most intense use throughout the year.

This study is part of a research plan for the deer resource for the state, totally supported by private funds and voluntary efforts. This is not a project of the State Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. A copy of the research plan is available for $5.00. It suggests alternative voluntary projects as well as many that can only be completed with substantial investments, both from donations to the Virginia Tech Foundation and from partial funds from all profits made by the The Deer Group. Write for information about this new, unique enterprise.

Citizens wishing to make a voluntary contribution to enhance and expand (or in some cases to reduce deer damage from) the deer resource or research related to it may do so directly to the Lasting Forests. Tax deduction provisions can be made available.

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.