nubo,

Actually, a thicket is a great place to put it as the deer will tend to visit it more if they think it is a very secure location. Both of those locations that I have been putting mine are in very thick undergrowth with just a bit of an open clearing for them to "socialize". When I say "clearing" I am talking about an 8-12 foot opening....little more.

As for the debris issue....you should clear a four foot spot of bare earth out of the area that you plan on putting the minerals into. The deer will eat the roots and the plants surrounding the location as they in turn absorb the minerals from the ground.

Hope this helps.