How To Use The Licking Branch
Choosing A Location
The best location to place a licking branch are areas devoid of low hanging scrape branches. Mature timber, food plots, logging roads, field edges, & heavily traveled deer trails are all great options for the HODAG Licking Branch. We DO NOT recommend placing your licking branch near a bait or mineral site.
When creating a mock scrape with a HODAG Licking Stick think about your goals for your setup. If you're using it as a whitetail hunting aid, place your licking stick where you would like a deer to stop for a shot from your deer stand. If your goal is to inventory your deer herd, place your licking stick in a heavily traveled area in front of a trail camera.
Watch the full installation video
Each location is somewhat unique. This video demonstrates how to set up your Licking Branch in a very common scenario, but feel free to experiment based on your surroundings.
Watch VideoStep 1:
Select & Install A BRANCH
When it comes to selecting a branch to use, different areas, tree types, and individual deer's preference are all variables to consider. As always, don't be afraid to experiment. It is recommended to start with a species of tree that you find rubbed or have seen used as a natural licking branch scrape in your area. It is most effective to install the branch you've chosen prior to strapping or screwing the baseplate to the tree. This allows you to determine the right spot in which you anchor the plate to achieve ideal licking branch height.
Step 2:
INSTALLING YOUR HODAG LICKING BRANCH FlexPlate™
The specific height you anchor your FlexPlate to the tree at will depend on the stick or branch you chose to use. In most cases, your FlexPlate base will be between 4 and 5 feet off the ground. Keep in mind that terrain and elevation will dictate changes to the height necessary for installation. In the end, the goal is to have your HODAG Licking Branch at a mature deer's eye level, or slightly above (3.5-4ft off the ground). To attach the FlexPlate to the tree, use the provided washer head screws with your cordless drill and T30 sized Torx bit. The FlexPlate has a pattern of 5 pre-drilled holes that will allow you to anchor to the tree in a variety of configurations. As an alternative to screws, you may use a one inch ratchet strap to securely strap the FlexPlate to the tree by threading the strap through the two side slots on the plate.
Step 3:
Scenting The Branch or Vine
Use the dripper to apply AllSeason™ Scent to the "stem", leaves, and branches. This will help attract the deer to interact with the branch, leaving their own scent. This is what helps get your licking branch started. Be sure to cover all areas of the branch.
Quick Tip #1
Placing Your Trail Camera
For those who want to use this device as a scouting tool as well, it works great to place a trail camera 15’-30’ from the Licking Branch for best results. Be sure to clear away brush that may trigger false pictures. We recommend setting your camera to 10 second videos, in 30 second intervals using "normal" sensitivity settings. Please share your videos, pictures & best practices with us!
Quick Tip #2
CREATING A MOCK SCRAPE
Setup you licking branch knowing that the leaves of your cut branch will fall off with time, causing your branch to raise slightly. We also recommend creating a mock scrape underneath your setup as an additional means of gathering the deer's attention. The smell of freshly disturbed dirt combined with the visual change is likely to stimulate curiosity and encourage the deer to investigate and interact, leaving their scent behind.
Quick Tip #3
Refreshing Your Licking Branch
Once deer start using the Licking Branch they will provide their own glandular scents to your branch. From time to time, reapply Scent to your licking branch to keep deer interest high.
Not Getting Interaction?
We always encourage our customers to experiment with their setups, if you're not seeing the amount of interaction your looking for, change the location, experiment with the type of branch (and its height off the ground), and put a fresh coating of AllSeason™ Scent on.