It's a Stick NOT a Tree

The biggest mistake hunters make with Licking Sticks

The most common phrases from any unhappy customers are "The spring needs to be stronger", "Deer aren't using it", "My tree won't sit up straight", "The spring can't fit a decent sized tree", and more. The most common mistake we see people make with our HODAG Licking Stick is that they buy a Licking Stick but expect a rubbing tree. We often compare this to buying a shot glass but expecting it to hold a gallon of water.

Licking sticks can be found virtually everywhere on every property. Most have never seen one because they are exceptionally unremarkable, like a stick used for roasting marshmallows. What most hunters find exciting is the rubbed bark and disturbed dirt found on and beneath trees during the rut. The only difference is that Licking Sticks are more valuable and heavily used throughout the year (not just limited to the fall).

The spring on our Licking Stick System is designed to give you instant feedback about the sapling or branch you choose to use. If your spring is leaning, then more branches need to be removed. We cut off anything above chest/neck height (5 feet) since deer can't reach that high and trim off most branches from the sapling. Excess branches will act as a sail for the wind to take hold of, which can often lead to false pictures and full SD cards on your trail camera. Hinge cutting branches and letting them hang parallel to the stem of the stick is a great way to balance your Licking Stick, while leaving leaves to apply more AllSeason Scent during initial setup.

When your setup is finished it should look like a stick not a tree. It won't be flashy, but we promise it will be effective. There are millions of trees in the woods, and whitetails don't care about another tree sprouting from the ground. What they will notice is a stick that looks similar to ones they have been using to communicate since they were fawns. If you buy our product expecting to make a rubbing post, then you will likely be disappointed, but if you use it like the name on the packaging describes, than you will reap the benefits of a licking stick in your control. We truly want every customer who buys are products to find success with them and we will help anyone who wants it. Check out our setup videos to see these words in action and take your hunting to the next level.

Shop HODAG Licking Stick: Licking Stick System

Licking Stick Setup Videos: HODAG YouTube Licking Stick Setups