Have you checked the USFS MTNF hunting regulations? You can't bait deer in the MTNF. Get caught deer hunting over a bait pile in the MTNF and you get a ticket to the federal court system. Not sure about salt/mineral licks.
Salt/mineral licks MTNF?
Mineral licks should be legal on MTNF right? In the regulations, it only says that they are prohibited on Conservation Areas.
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Yeah, I've looked everywhere for it. I called the Ranger office and the woman I spoke to was clueless either way lol. I mean, the state regs are explicit that mineral/salt licks are NOT bait. It does say they are prohibited in the CWD zone and on conservation areas, but since they don't mention the national forest in non-CWD counties, I have to conclude they are legal.
I think this also leads to a slippery slope answer the same way marijuana is placed in. Both state and federal laws both apply on MTNF lands. You will need to check both sets of laws to know the answer. As in many instances, the individual you talk to can be oblivious to the laws that govern the federal land.Have you checked the USFS MTNF hunting regulations? You can't bait deer in the MTNF. Get caught deer hunting over a bait pile in the MTNF and you get a ticket to the federal court system. Not sure about salt/mineral licks.
Is she going to call you back with the info, or have someone else call you?Yeah, I've looked everywhere for it. I called the Ranger office and the woman I spoke to was clueless either way lol. I mean, the state regs are explicit that mineral/salt licks are NOT bait. It does say they are prohibited in the CWD zone and on conservation areas, but since they don't mention the national forest in non-CWD counties, I have to conclude they are legal.
I usually ask them to find the info for me..
salt mineral licks are usually good until mid September...after that deer and hogs go elsewhere, elk too...
I'm going to call around tomorrow, but I don't really agree that it's a slippery slope at all. The Federal regulations are silent on the subject, while the state regulations only mention conservation areas.I think this also leads to a slippery slope answer the same way marijuana is placed in. Both state and federal laws both apply on MTNF lands. You will need to check both sets of laws to know the answer. As in many instances, the individual you talk to can be oblivious to the laws that govern the federal land.
If you called rolla and the woman that answered doesnt know much ..ask for someone else ....i think your good to go for the salt blocks
Lawyers live in the Grey areas of ambiguity.... I recommend a conversation with the agent or agents that patrol the MTNF you intend to hunt on... or have an attorney on speed dial...I'm going to call around tomorrow, but I don't really agree that it's a slippery slope at all. The Federal regulations are silent on the subject, while the state regulations only mention conservation areas.
Totally your call, but if I were you I would just use a granular mineral product and not a block. It will absorb into the dirt quickly and still get hit hard by the deer and you won't have a massive block sitting out there like a sore thumb to catch an MDC agents eye. I used to always buy Trophy Rocks, but this past year I started to buy the 30lb bag of Granular trophy rock.. it's great because I can spread it all around a stump. The deer have dug down nearly a 15 inch trench all around the stump.
Are they digging because your not providing enough mineral on the surface.. I tend to baby my local deer herd... I've been using Trophy Rocks and replacing them for several years... The areas that I started out placing TR compared to DIY's mineral licks/granular minerals is Night and Day drastically different as it pertains to soil disturbance and holes being created via deer digging. An argument could be made that a larger area might be more advantageous...Totally your call, but if I were you I would just use a granular mineral product and not a block. It will absorb into the dirt quickly and still get hit hard by the deer and you won't have a massive block sitting out there like a sore thumb to catch an MDC agents eye. I used to always buy Trophy Rocks, but this past year I started to buy the 30lb bag of Granular trophy rock.. it's great because I can spread it all around a stump. The deer have dug down nearly a 15 inch trench all around the stump.
I honestly don't know or even think it matters, They are hitting my mineral licks like clock work and keep coming back for more. I'm still using Trophy Rock, its just the granular form rather than the rock. I posted some pics the other day under the trail cam forum titled "Bucks are starting to show up" (link below). It's hard to tell how deep the deer have dug in these photos. It's not uncommon for us to see 6-8 deer in a picture on any given day. Also, on the plus side, it's going to make it a lot easier to remove this stump whenever we finally decide to do so. To summarize.. I love Trophy Rock irregardless of form, I prefer the granular type for tree stumps because it allows for better distribution. I've never seen comparable results with DIY mineral licks. I posted this because I think granular mineral licks look more natural than a huge rock sitting in mud pit. https://www.missouriwhitetails.com/threads/bucks-are-starting-to-show-up.232559/Are they digging because your not providing enough mineral on the surface.. I tee mond to baby my local deer herd... I've been using Trophy Rocks and replacing them for several years... The areas that I started out placing TR compared to DIY's mineral licks/granular minerals is Night and Day drastically different as it pertains to soil disturbance and holes being created via deer digging. An argument could be made that a larger area might bre advantageous...
So are you saying TR is superior to DIY mineral licks?Are they digging because your not providing enough mineral on the surface.. I tend to baby my local deer herd... I've been using Trophy Rocks and replacing them for several years... The areas that I started out placing TR compared to DIY's mineral licks/granular minerals is Night and Day drastically different as it pertains to soil disturbance and holes being created via deer digging. An argument could be made that a larger area might be more advantageous...
I’ve used mineral sites in the past on MTNF and still have deer coming to them. State and federal laws aren’t the same. Just like the feral hog debate on MTNF. Call the GW that would likely be writing the ticket.
In my opinion.. yesSo are you saying TR is superior to DIY mineral licks?
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