Composition of mineral lick

Redsunrise

New member
Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Dear Members,

I’ve been doing some research but haven’t found an answer yet. What composition of (trace) elements should a mineral lick stone have for Africa (Tanzania)?
I’ll be buying it in Europe (the Netherlands) but have no indication as to which ingredients should be in it, for they are made specifically for sheep, horses, game &c. It’ll be placed on our piece of land just outside of a major city so most likely only jackal, duiker, Dik dik & the smaller cats will frequent it (if they will come at all).
And secondly where and how to place it?

Thanks in advance
 
Salt Licks

Redsunrise,
I do not know the composition of trace elements that a mineral lick stone should have for Africa however you should be able to purchase salt / mineral licks in Tanzania, products that will, I think, be more appropriate than the ones that you will find in the Netherlands. Otherwise I would suggest for you to be looking at getting some from South Africa or Namibia.

Salt Licks

watermark.php

Kudus enjoying the salt lick on a plain which is strategically placed on the border of the bush should they need to take coverage.

A salt lick is a salt deposit that animals regularly lick. In an ecosystem, salt / mineral licks often occur naturally, providing the sodium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and zinc required in the springtime for bone, muscle and other growth in wildlife. Harsh weather exposes salty mineral deposits that draw animals from miles away for a taste of needed nutrients. The ability of animals to select nutrients from their environment has been amply documented. Herbivores in nutrient poor ecosystems may be able to overcome deficiencies in essential elements by using natural mineral licks. In parts of Africa, elemental analyses of soils, licks, and vegetation eaten by herbivores have shown that sodium to be the element sought by mammals at mineral licks. Some farmer groups in Africa even make their own salt lick mixture themselves from bones, termite mounds, bricks and common salt.

watermark.php

Bongos getting their nutrients at a natural salt lick.

Salt licks can be placed just about anywhere, the key is for the animals to find their locations. People use salt licks to attract or maintain wildlife, whether it be for viewing, photography, farming, or hunting purposes.

Salt licks are usually placed by water points as the animals already congregate such areas on a regular basis and it is easier for them to find. Also the fact that they can drink to quench their thirst and replenish their nutrients at the same time is an attribute. From personal experience, at a water point the animals will usually drink first and finish at the salt lick, but they will also sometime just come for the minerals and not even bother drinking.

watermark.php

Kudus and Impala on the border of a clearing getting nutrients out of natural salt lick blocks directly placed on the ground.

Salt licks are also often placed on plains, open areas or clearings. Game will often feed or pass through those open areas making the salt licks easy to find along one of the major artery or used trail. The salt licks will usually be strategically placed in the open, sometimes under a tree for shade, but close to a more dense area where the game can take refuge in if predators are around.

If a salt lick is used for hunting purposes, you will have to consider the surroundings, the dominant wind direction as well as the location of the blind, and distance may be a factor if bowhunting. Salt licks can usually also be moved easily with the seasons or need.

If you are concerned with poaching, I would make sure that the salt lick is placed in an area not exposed to everyone's view.

If you use a salt lick with the intention to put a trail camera on it, try to find a location that you can access easily without disturbing the area too much.

A salt lick can also be placed by a specific location, like by a lodge, to attract game for viewing.

watermark.php

White Rhinos at an elevated salt lick made out of a metal drum cut in half, usually to hold powder or granules salt licks as well as other feed. The elevation of the drum is such that small mammals will also have access to the content.

Salt lick comes in powder and granules which can be placed in a feeding container or incorporated straight into the soil making it a lick surface. It comes also in blocks, natural or man-made, that are usually placed directly on the ground. Slat Licks can be also placed in elevated containers or posts in order to restrict the feed of some animals.

watermark.php

Here, a couple of Giraffes at a salt lick comprised on the left of a natural salt lick block on the ground and on the right of an elevated containers made out of metal drum cut in half, high enough to restrict the access of some of the smaller mammals.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Forum statistics

Threads
53,616
Messages
1,131,189
Members
92,671
Latest member
MorrisFloc
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Impact shots from the last hunt

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top