Chasing Giants with Don Higgins

When Managing Deer Means Saying NO to Giants | Chasing Giants Podcast #304

Management Bucks, Passing Giants, Early Shed Antlers & Hard Winter Decisions In this episode of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer tackle one of the most misunderstood and controversial topics in modern whitetail management — passing a mature target buck and choosing instead to harvest a management buck. Don recently filled his second Illinois buck tag, but not in the way most hunters expected. After years of habitat work, nutrition planning, selective harvest, and disciplined decision-making, Don explains why he passed his #1 target buck after gun season, a decision that left many people scratching their heads — and voicing their opinions loudly on social media. This episode pulls back the curtain on what real deer management actually looks like, including: Why some mature bucks should be passed — even late in the season How years of selective harvest change your perspective as a hunter The emotional and mental side of letting giants walk Why “success” isn’t always measured in inches or score The conversation also dives into unusually early antler shedding, with Don sharing firsthand trail-camera evidence from his own farm. Together, Don and Terry discuss how extreme cold, stress, nutrition, and a hard rut can impact deer health and behavior — and what land managers should be paying attention to as winter sets in earlier than normal. Listeners will also hear detailed discussions on: Winter nutrition and food plot carryover Supplemental feeding myths and dangers Why running out of food in late winter is a management failure How harsh winters can shape antler growth the following year The second half of the episode features an extended listener Q&A, covering: How many acres it really takes to grow mature bucks Crossbows, youth hunters, and earning the right to hunt Buck-to-doe ratios and Illinois deer management challenges Ethical ways to handle doe harvest and venison donation How faith and stewardship play a role in responsible hunting This episode isn’t about chasing inches — it’s about discipline, stewardship, patience, and faith. Whether you’re managing 40 acres or 400, this conversation will challenge how you define success in the deer woods. 🤝 EPISODE SPONSORS Asio Gear • Midwest Land Group • Novix Outdoors • Mike’s Mighty Micros • Victory Auto Group • 360 Hunting Blinds • Real World Wildlife Products • Mathews Archery • Gingerich Tree Farms • Brenton USA • Vortex Optics • Grubb Implement • TagOut Technique • Wildlife Farming ⚠️ DISCLAIMER Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

Episode 303 – Late-Season Deer Movement, Winter Food Strategy & The Future of Big Bucks

Late-season hunting is here — and with brutal cold, snow, and pressure setting in, deer behavior changes fast. In Episode 303 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Terry Peer and Don Higgins break down: - How cold weather, snow, and cover crops impact late-season deer movement - Why grain vs. green food sources matter as temperatures drop - The role of big food sources and “feeding areas” in pulling deer all winter - Don’s real-world experience with hairy vetch overseeding and regenerative practices - Honest conversation about late-season hunting ethics, pressure, and knowing when not to hunt - A hard look at which states could be producing giant bucks — and why many are failing Listener-submitted Higgins Hot Seat questions covering blinds, heaters, logging timber, buck limits, and winter projects This episode is packed with practical deer management insight, real-world experience, and unfiltered opinions from decades in the whitetail woods. 🎯 Whether you’re hunting late season, planning habitat improvements, or thinking long-term about deer herd health — this one is for you. This episode of the Chasing Giants Podcast is proudly brought to you by: Asio Gear – https://www.asiogear.com Midwest Land Group – https://www.midwestlandgroup.com Novix Outdoors – https://www.novixoutdoors.com Mike’s Mighty Micros – https://www.mikesmightymicros.com Victory Auto Group – https://www.victorykc.com 360 Hunting Blinds – https://www.360huntingblinds.com Real World Wildlife Products – https://www.realworldwildlifeproducts.com Mathews Archery – https://www.mathewsinc.com Gingerich Tree Farms – https://www.gingerichtreefarm.com Brenton USA – https://www.brentonusa.com Vortex Optics – https://www.vortexoptics.com Grubb Implement – https://www.grubbimplement.com TagOut Technique – https://www.tagouttechnique.com Wildlife Farming – https://www.wildlifefarming.com Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

Late Season EXPLOSION! Why Giants Are Falling Everywhere | Chasing Giants #302

Late season is HERE—and Don Higgins and Terry Peer break down why mature bucks are hitting the dirt all across the Midwest. Episode 302 dives deep into the “perfect recipe” created by snow, cold temps, and strategic food sources. If you’ve waited all year for the best chance at a giant—this is it. In this episode Don and Terry discuss: • Why cold + snow is the ultimate late-season trigger • Why bedding and food MUST be separated • How buck ranges shrink during brutal weather • Why soybean shatter resistance matters right now • Massive deer movement and new bucks showing up daily • The Real World dealer conference + big business announcements • A HUGE upcoming Lester’s Feet fundraiser • Listener Q&A on rope scrapes, permission setups, doe management & more If you want to understand exactly what deer are doing this week, this is MUST-WATCH content. 👉 Watch Joe Miles’ 204” South Texas Buck Hunt on Chasing Giants TV: (Insert link) 👉 Apply for the new Content Creator position: terry@realworldwildlifeproducts.com 👉 Dealer Conference Info (Feb 25–26, Arthur IL): Real science. Real results. Nutrition, land management, business growth, and network opportunities. Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors Asio Gear – www.asiogear.com Midwest Land Group – www.midwestlandgroup.com Novix Outdoors – www.novixoutdoors.com Mike’s Mighty Micros – www.mikesmightymicros.com Victory Auto Group – www.victorykc.com 360 Hunting Blinds – www.360huntingblinds.com Real World Wildlife Products – www.realworldwildlifeproducts.com Mathews Archery – www.mathewsinc.com Gingerich Tree Farms – www.gingerichtreefarm.com Brenton USA – www.brentonusa.com Vortex Optics – www.vortexoptics.com Grubb Implement – www.grubbimplement.com TagOut Technique – www.tagouttechnique.com Wildlife Farming – www.wildlifefarming.com Any reproduction, redistribution, or re-uploading of this content without written permission from Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

Late Season Starts NOW — Cold Fronts, Bucks on Food, and Thanksgiving Reflections | Episode #301

In this powerful Episode 301 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer record on Thanksgiving Day and bring you an in-depth breakdown of the late-season whitetail transition that is unfolding across the Midwest. With temperatures plummeting nearly 20+ degrees, snow stacking up in northern states, and food sources becoming the #1 priority, Don lays out EXACTLY what mature bucks do physiologically, nutritionally, and behaviorally as they shift from the rut into winter survival mode. Key topics in this episode include: • Why the post-rut transition is sharper this year than ever • How mature bucks’ metabolism shifts like “a bear going into hibernation” • What REALLY drives late-season buck movement • Why soybeans beat corn during extreme cold • The truth about deer and winter weight gain • Late-season bedding, range shrinkage, and food-source dependency • How doe harvest affects buck daylight activity • Stories from brutal late-season hunts (including Don’s blizzard stalk in a white hazmat suit 🤣) • Viewer Q&A covering big timber strategy, Nutri-Crave corn, herd structure, habitat decisions & more Plus, Don and Terry share heartfelt Thanksgiving reflections and gratitude for the Chasing Giants community. 🎯 If you’re entering December with a buck tag in your pocket… this episode is for you. Chasing Giants TV Sponsors Real World Wildlife Products – www.realworldwildlifeproducts.com Asio Gear – www.asiogear.com Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors Asio Gear – www.asiogear.com Midwest Land Group – www.midwestlandgroup.com Novix Outdoors – www.novixoutdoors.com Mike’s Mighty Micros – www.mikesmightymicros.com Victory Auto Group – www.victorykc.com 360 Hunting Blinds – www.360huntingblinds.com Real World Wildlife Products – www.realworldwildlifeproducts.com Mathews Archery – www.mathewsinc.com Gingerich Tree Farms – www.gingerichtreefarm.com Brenton USA – www.brentonusa.com Vortex Optics – www.vortexoptics.com Grubb Implement – www.grubbimplement.com TagOut Technique – www.tagouttechnique.com Wildlife Farming – www.wildlifefarming.com Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

EPISODE 300! Don Changes His Mind on the Rut + Drone Debate Heats Up!

Welcome to EPISODE 300 of the Chasing Giants Podcast — brought to you by ASIO Gear! Hard to believe we’ve made it this far. When we started, we didn’t know if we’d even make it to 10 episodes… yet here we are thanks to all of YOU. This week is PACKED with big-picture learning and controversial topics: ⭐ What We Cover in Episode 300 • Don admits he was WRONG about the rut After decades of preaching November 7th–8th as the magic days, Don explains why his in-the-woods observations and trail-camera data have changed his mind. This is the most in-depth rut discussion we’ve ever had. • Why this year’s best movement was Nov 18–19 And why that might become the new trend. • Weather, pressure, and the REAL triggers behind daylight activity It’s not one factor. It’s multiple things stacking up. • A brutally honest recap of Terry’s rough season Including EHD impacts, low deer numbers, and chasing one specific Illinois giant. • Big announcements for the Midwest Sportsman’s Classic in Shipshewana – All FOUR of Don’s 200” bucks on display – A massive Chasing Giants booth – An expanded art contest – The bake-off – The first-ever release of the full Doubting Thomas hunt video • The Drone Debate Both Don and Terry recently posted about this — and it blew up. We break down: – When drones are useful – When they become a danger to the resource – Why the Illinois DNR’s stance matters – Abuse of thermal drone tech in hunting This is one of the most important discussions we’ve ever had on the podcast. • Listener Questions Including: – Do mature bucks “leave” your property once they wise up? – Should you shoot does with buck fawns? – How fast can a new property improve? – When to start habitat work after gun season – What happened to Steve Shields? (the real answer!) ⭐ Plus… A reminder to check out the Chasing Assurance Podcast, where Terry’s father is teaching a biblical study on divorce, church history, and truth vs. tradition. 🔥 Chapter Markers (Copy/Paste) 00:00 – Episode 300 Opening 01:00 – Reflecting on 300 Episodes 02:45 – Don’s Rut Observations 06:30 – Why Don Says He Was Wrong 10:00 – Breaking Down Weather, Movement & Pressure 12:45 – Terry’s Tough Season (EHD, Low Deer Numbers) 17:00 – South Texas Trip & Future Plans 18:40 – ASIO Gear Black Friday Announcement 19:30 – Shipshewana Show Updates 22:45 – Doubting Thomas Hunt Video Details 24:45 – Taking Walker Hunting for Gun Season 25:50 – Rain, Movement & Late-Season Weather 27:00 – Higgins Hot Seat 30:40 – Listener Questions Begin 32:00 – The Drone Controversy 48:30 – Should You Shoot Does With Buck Fawns? 54:40 – Speed of Habitat Improvement 59:20 – Final Thoughts & Sunday Prayer 📸 Thumbnail Text Options Option A: “Episode 300!” Don Changes His Mind About the Rut Option B: “We Need to Talk About Drones…” (Episode 300) Option C: “Best Rut Days? It’s NOT Nov 7–8!” Option D: “Everything Changes at 300.” Option E: “Don’s NEW Rut Theory!” 🧩 Thumbnail Image Suggestions • Split-screen photo of Don & Terry with a bold “300” graphic • Background faded image of a rutting buck • A small drone silhouette to hint at the controversy • Gold or orange Chasing Giants branding strip for continuity 🎤 Sponsor List (Full, With Websites) Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors Asio Gear – www.asiogear.com Midwest Land Group – www.midwestlandgroup.com Novix Outdoors – www.novixoutdoors.com Mike’s Mighty Micros – www.mikesmightymicros.com Victory Auto Group – www.victorykc.com 360 Hunting Blinds – www.360huntingblinds.com Real World Wildlife Products – www.realworldwildlifeproducts.com Mathews Archery – www.mathewsinc.com Gingerich Tree Farms – www.gingerichtreefarm.com Brenton USA – www.brentonusa.com Vortex Optics – www.vortexoptics.com Grubb Implement – www.grubbimplement.com TagOut Technique – www.tagouttechnique.com Wildlife Farming – www.wildlifefarming.com 📢 Social Media Caption Options 1. 🎉 EPISODE 300 is here! Don drops a bombshell: he says he was WRONG about the best rut dates. We talk rut activity, drones, tough seasons, big bucks, and the upcoming Shipshewana show. Full episode is live now! 2. 300 episodes later… and Don Higgins changes his mind about the rut. This is a must-watch episode for serious deer hunters. 3. The drone debate is getting heated — and Don and Terry aren’t holding back. Episode 300 is now live! 🔒 Required Copyright Disclaimer (Add at Bottom of Description) Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants LLC is strictly prohibited. If you'd like, I can also create: ✅ A matching YouTube Community post ✅ A Facebook + Instagram post promoting Episode 300 ✅ A custom title graphic or thumbnail concept layout Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors Asio Gear – www.asiogear.com Midwest Land Group – www.midwestlandgroup.com Novix Outdoors – www.novixoutdoors.com Mike’s Mighty Micros – www.mikesmightymicros.com Victory Auto Group – www.victorykc.com 360 Hunting Blinds – www.360huntingblinds.com Real World Wildlife Products – www.realworldwildlifeproducts.com Mathews Archery – www.mathewsinc.com Gingerich Tree Farms – www.gingerichtreefarm.com Brenton USA – www.brentonusa.com Vortex Optics – www.vortexoptics.com Grubb Implement – www.grubbimplement.com TagOut Technique – www.tagouttechnique.com Wildlife Farming – www.wildlifefarming.com