Small 8 W/Small Buck, &

[BHC]

First bear in 2 weeks

[NotJust22s]

Bear looks like a 1 year old.

[BHC]

Just now, NotJust22s said:

Bear looks like a 1 year old.

I would agree

[jumpthestring]

Bear looks thin , you need to throw more food out there.

[BHC]

4 minutes ago, jumpthestring said:

Bear looks thin , you need to throw more food out there.

No food, minerals.  Plenty of natural food.for him

[BHC]

[Lunatic]

Nice buck!!

I appears you spread the mineral in a very wide circle. I do the opposite. I pile the mineral in a very small area +_ 18”. I start by digging out abut 6” of soil and then deer, with time keep on digging, making a nice depression. This way I always have several inches of mineral, and most of it is not in contact with soil.  I also get water in the depression and I see deer hitting it harder after it rains. 
I think with a large thin layer good part of your mixture is wasted, never consumed and you end up using more than needed. 
IMO
 

[BHC]

Reason for spreading is that di calcium phosphate is very bitter, mix it around with the other products takes away the bitterness.  They paw the ground eat the soil with minerals,  and there are two holes dug and agree water is key

[Lunatic]

24 minutes ago, BHC said:

Reason for spreading is that di calcium phosphate is very bitter, mix it around with the other products takes away the bitterness.  They paw the ground eat the soil with minerals,  and there are two holes dug and agree water is key

I’m not sure what mixing it with other products has to do with spreading it wide, unless you tell me you mix it this way on the ground? I mix it at home before I go out

[BHC]

I mix it completely on site, been doing it this way for 4 yrs never an issue...in fact during the hunting season at times they come in and start digging for the minerals in the dirt  

[Greybeard]

Bucks want nothing to do with the minerals by me this year.  Usually they hit it hard and the bears don't stay on it.  This year it's almost all does hitting it and the bears are constantly in it.