When I run across inventions that I think will benefit the BHN readers, I like to share them. Well, with that being said I crossed paths with a very cool product that can benefit the BHN deer hunters. It is the Hodag Licking stick.
I purchased 3 licking sticks and immediately placed them at strategic locations on my ranch In North Texas. Choosing the correct location is the key!
The Hodag Licking Stick can be placed on food plots, woods roads, field edges and heavily traveled deer trails. If you are using this licking stick as a hunting tool, make sure you place at a good shot location. The first thing you have to decide is, are you going to use it as a hunting tool or a scouting tool? With that in mind, this tool will work well in both scenarios.
After you determine a proper location, level out an area a couple inches deep. (there is a demonstration video on the https://thelickingstick.com website) Make sure to level out the flexplate and trade. Make sure it is level and flat, this will make the licking branch stay level and be at optimal performance. Drive the two stakes and cover up the flexplate with dirt.
Now you need to choose the proper branch or sapling. You want a branch that is approximately ¾ of an inch or less in width. I tried three branches until I had one that fit properly.
Then insert the branch into the top of the spring. Use the 3 thumbscrews to tighten the branch into the base. Bigger is not better when it come to a licking stick.
Once you have the licking stick established use the included dripper to apply the AllSeason Scent to the leaves and branches. Be sure to cover all areas of the branch-sapling. Apply the scent lure liberally. After a week or so the leaves will dry out and fall off, don’t worry that is ok.
As I alluded earlier, I picked out three locations to put my licking sticks. I placed one in a shooting location and the other two as an attractant to take game camera pictures. The one at my shooting location was phenomenal. One hour after I put it out I had the bucks below come up to it. Absolutely incredible!
Does this product work? Absolutely 100%! To learn more about the Licking stick, please jump out to www.thelickingstick.com
My assessment is based on past experience, and not on this product in particular, especially since I have never used it. As hunters, we are as influenced by advertisement as anyone (just as the person who buys a $400 plus Yeti cooler, then derides someone else buying a $5000 purse).
I think this product will go by the wayside, just like that green “Slime” Michael Waddell peddled (Remember that?) and the many others I’ve since forgotten. Remember too the study on scents that found the evergreen car scent hangers attracted as many deer as the urine scents. While my studies are anecdotal at best, making a mock scrape with no scent will get you as much if not more activity than with most scents. All that being said, I appreciate the review and more so, Bowhunting.net. Keep up the good work!