Illinois salt lick question

Dairy King · 06-11-2005, 12:04 AM

Is it illegal to have salt or salt blocks in Illinois at anytime?

1sagittarius · 06-11-2005, 05:28 AM

Yes, unless it is specifically put out for cattle .... but even then you cannot hunt over it.

IL Rancher · 06-11-2005, 06:16 AM

Yeah, illegal and if you get caught you part of the punishment is digging the dirt up around the block/pit and replacing it with fresh ground. Sounds like fun. As far as the hunting over a block put out for cattle or other livestock yeah, it would be like hunting over a creep feeder you had out for calves. That being said, I did talk to a CPO who frequents the shop I go to about this once and it is not super clear cut according to him. When you put a block out it rains and it tends to leach into the soil. If you have an area that you feed blocks in 6 months out of the year you can end up with an almost natural (Almost because the mineral is in the soil, not because you did put it there basically) salt/mineral lick that deer will visit after the blocks and cattle are gone. I'm trying to remember exactly what he said about it but something to the affect of caused by basic and accepted agriculutrual practices and it would be okay but frowned upon.

Disclaimer: If your family has cows, sheep or horses I still wouldn't get int the habbit of hunting anywhere near old mineral feeding places. I feed my mineral blocks in old protein supplement barrels so there is no leaching into the ground, that and most of my pastures wouldn't be condusive to deer hunting. Better safe than sorry because I really don't want a visit from the CP.

Don K · 06-11-2005, 08:49 AM

From the Illinois Hunting regulations page 7 (can be read at http://dnr.state.il.us/)

Feeding or Baiting of Wildlife

It is unlawful to make available food, salt,
mineral blocks or other products for ingestion
by wild deer or other wildlife in areas
where wild deer are present. Except:
"¢ elevated bird/squirrel feeders providing
seed, grain, fruit, worms, or suet for
birds or squirrels located within 100 feet
of a dwelling devoted to human occupancy.
"¢ incidental feeding of wildlife within
active livestock operations.
"¢ feeding of wild animals, other than wild
deer, by hand as long as a reasonable
attempt is made to clean up unconsumed
food.
"¢ feeders for wildlife other than deer so
long as deer are excluded from the
feed in and around the feeder by fencing
or other barriers.
"¢ standing crops planted and left standing
as food plots for wildlife.
"¢ grain or other feed scattered or distributed
solely as a result of normal agricultural,
gardening, or soil stabilization
practices.
"¢ standing, flooded, or manipulated natural
vegetation or food/seed deposited by
natural vegetation.
"¢ grain or other feed distributed or scattered
solely as the result of manipulation
of an agricultural crop or other feed
on the land where grown, for purposes
of dove hunting.
"¢ food material placed for capturing or
killing wildlife pursuant to 520 ILCS
5/2.37, 2.30, and 1.3.
"¢ scientific permits issued pursuant to 17
Ill. Adm. Code 520 that allow food to
attract wildlife.
"¢ any other permits issued by the
Department of Natural Resources that
require the attraction of wildlife for purposes
of management, research or
control.
"¢ Violation of the provisions of this part is
a Petty Offense with a maximum fine of
$1,000.

uncle matt · 06-11-2005, 10:08 AM

I can't understand this. Are food plots included (as bait?). I need some clarification here.

Uncle Matt (in IL)

IL Rancher · 06-11-2005, 10:13 AM

If it is growing it is not bait as far as deer are concerned. Also if it was grown and than left where it was growing it is not baiting as far as the CP was concerend. Now, there are some grey areas that are not good but most of those have to do with migratory birds or doing things like mowing standing corn in its place. That would be non standard agricultural practices. For some reason not harvesting the corn is okay but...

Dairy King · 06-11-2005, 11:19 AM

Ok. Thats what I thought but I wasn't sure. We dont have any salt out, I was just making sure. Because yesterday I was at Farm and Home Supply Store, and they had that Deer Co-Cain. So, why would they sell it? Its bait, meant to bring in deer, correct? Wouldn't that be like selling real cocaine? You can't use it legally, but yet they still sell it.

IL Rancher · 06-11-2005, 12:04 PM

Well cocaine is illegal to possess while this feed is not illegal to posses, just illegal to use. I don't think Farm and Fleet or Farm king or any of the farm stores should be selling the stuff but they all do. You can buy Tekan broadheads in the state too but they are illegal to use on deer in this state... My guess is the stores will say they sell it for people who have ground in states that allow the use of salt licks.. Just a hunch.

uncle matt · 06-11-2005, 12:31 PM

I don't think that deer cocaine is all that great. I mean I must have done about a whole tablespoon full and didn't feel any different.

Uncle Matt (in IL)

GSPsnFORDs · 06-13-2005, 10:43 PM

Yes, feeding deer in any manner (other than a food plot) is now illegal as of last year (I think).

What I want to know is, why after this new law can you still buy the special deer salt, corn, apple, etc blocks & mixes in stores located in illinois? Anybody else find this odd?