How To Use The Licking Stick
Choosing A Location
Food plots, logging roads, field edges, & heavily traveled deer trails are all great options. If you are using the Licking Stick as a hunting aid, place the base where you would like a deer to stop for a shot and serve as a yardage making reference. If your goal is more to inventory your herd, place the base in a heavily traveled area. Please note that prior to placement, think about your goals for this tool. Will you want to use it as a hunting aid for when you are on stand, a scouting tool to inventory the herd, or both? Keeping that in mind will help you decide the best place to set up.
Watch the full installation video
Each location is somewhat unique. This video demonstrates how to set up your Licking Stick in a very common scenario, but feel free to experiment based on your surroundings.
Watch VideoStep 1:
Anchoring & Bedding Your FlexPlate™
Once you have your location selected, use your anchoring tool to scrape down a few inches below topsoil to ensure a solid ground base for anchoring your plate, similar to bedding a trap. Be sure to level the FlexPlate the best you can from the start as this will help greatly when balancing your stick. Drive the stakes in firmly to secure enough that it actually flexes the plate into the ground, being careful not to hit your collar or thumbscrews. This step is important, as it will ensure the FlexPlate is bedded and anchored firmly into the ground and won’t wiggle loose.
Step 2:
Choosing a Sapling or Branch
Pick out a branch that is smaller than the inside diameter of the spring. We have seen the best results with sticks that are 4-5 feet tall. Experiment with different types of trees in your area to see what gets the most interaction from deer. Cut your sapling/branch and insert into the top of the spring. Use the 3 thumbscrews to tighten your branch to the base; similar to a Christmas Tree holder. Remember, you are simulating and activating a licking stick, not specifically a Rub Post or Scrape Tree. Bigger is not better when it comes to a licking stick found in the wild.
Step 3:
Scenting The Tree
Use the dripper to apply AllSeason™ Scent to the leaves and branches. This will help stimulate the deer to interact with the stick, leaving their own scent. This is what helps get your licking stick started. Be sure to cover all areas of the stick. After a week or so the leaves will dry out and fall off – don’t worry, that is ok.
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 Stick for best results. Please share your videos, pictures & best practices with us!
Quick Tip #2
Balancing Your Licking Stick
The Licking Stick is most effective when the stick is balanced so it is not leaning over too much in one direction. A sapling is the easiest as it naturally does this on its own while it grows. When cutting a branch, you may have to trim leaves or branches on either side in order to balance out the branch so that it does not lean too far in any one direction. You will also want to be sure the stick is not top heavy. It does not take a large licking stick to get big deer to interact with it.
Quick Tip #3
Refreshing Your Licking Stick
Once deer start using the Licking Stick they will provide their own “Scents” to your stick. From time to time, reapply AllSeason™ Scent to your sapling to keep the deer interest high.
Still Not Getting Interaction?
On occasion you may have a Licking Stick that is not being used. When that occurs, try a new stick, or change the location and put a fresh coating of AllSeason™ Scent on the new stick or both.