Chasing Giants with Don Higgins

Welcome back to Chasing Giants Podcast Episode 289 with Don Higgins & Terry Peer! In this episode, Don and Terry dive into:

Velvet Shedding & the Fall Buck Shift: What’s happening with bucks right now and how their ranges change as testosterone rises.

Yearling Buck Movement: Why young bucks are wandering and what that means for your property.

Late Food Plot Planting Tips: Strategies for using Mike’s Mighty Micros to boost late plantings.

The Hunter Podcast Recap: Don openly responds to long-standing rumors, shares his heart, and discusses integrity in the hunting industry.

Faith & Kingdom Impact: How partners like Mathews Archery are spreading the Gospel through the new film Light of the World.

Listener Q&A: Fences for deer management, switchgrass bedding cover, aging bucks, consulting insights, and much more.

Prayer & Encouragement: The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer from Devon Hurley of Antioch Church of Christ.

🙏 Thank you for supporting a hunting platform that keeps faith front and center. Please share this episode to encourage other hunters, families, and land managers.

🔗 Sponsor & Partner Links

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

Chasing Assurance Podcast Sponsors:

- Heartwood Planning Group – www.heartwoodplanning.com

- Coonless Deer Feeders – www.coonlessfeeders.com

- WiseEye Technologies – www.wiseeyetech.com

- Green Prairie Seed Company – www.greenprairieseeds.com

📜 Any reproduction of this content without written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

Hunting season is here, and Don Higgins and Terry Peer break down the 2025 Buck Forecast like never before. In this powerful episode, we cover:

📸 Trail Camera Intel: What Don’s 55+ cameras revealed about bachelor groups and shifting buck patterns

🌱 Habitat Lessons: How aggressive doe management and habitat changes impact deer movement

🦌 EHD Crisis: The heartbreaking early EHD outbreak in SE Ohio and what it means for deer hunters

🎯 Elite Hunters vs. Reality: Are all those giant racks legit? Don gets brutally honest about the industry

🏹 Recurve vs. Compound: Don’s quest for a giant buck with a recurve and why he’s switching this season

🌾 Food Plots & Rain Strategy: How to save late plots and boost tonnage with Mike’s Mighty Micros

🙏 Prayer Requests: Jason Beachy (JB’s Feed) & Brent Henderson

Whether you’re strategizing for opening day, trying to understand deer behavior, or simply love authentic hunting talk, this is a must-watch episode of Chasing Giants!

Platform Sponsors & Partners:

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

Chasing Assurance Podcast Sponsors:

Heartwood Planning Group – www.heartwoodplanning.com

Coonless Deer Feeders – www.coonlessfeeders.com

WiseEye Technologies – www.wiseeyetech.com

Green Prairie Seed Company – www.greenprairieseeds.com

Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

In this week’s Chasing Giants Podcast (Ep. 287), Don Higgins and Terry Peer cover everything from fawn recruitment and predator impacts on whitetails to the perfect timing for fall food plots. They also dive into industry news, including the long-awaited Winslow Brothers’ film, and give a no-filter take on the Cracker Barrel controversy.

Key topics this episode:

🌱 Food plot timing, soybeans, and overseeding strategies

🦌 Predator pressure & declining fawn recruitment

🎬 The Winslow Brothers’ new hunting film

🚜 Farm Progress Show & conservation updates

🔥 Higgins Hot Seat: Cracker Barrel, Bud Light, and “woke” companies

🙏 Special invite: Men’s Retreat with live podcast & Terry’s one-time-only talk

📺 Don’t forget—exclusive hunt videos drop soon on Chasing Giants TV, plus Chasing Assurance for weekly encouragement.

💬 Comment below: Have you noticed fewer fawns on your property this year? What’s your predator situation like?

👍 Like, Subscribe & Hit the Bell 🔔 so you don’t miss hunt season uploads and live updates.

🎯 Proud Sponsors of Chasing Giants TV

Asio Camo 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

⚠️ Disclaimer: The views shared in this podcast reflect personal opinions of the hosts. Listener discretion advised.

📌 Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

📖 Summary

In Episode 286 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer cover critical late-summer whitetail strategies as hunting season draws near.

🌱 Food Plots & Timing – Don and Terry discuss when to plant brassicas vs. cereal grains, overseeding into beans, and why rain timing can make or break your fall plots.

🌽 Nutri-Crave Corn Results – They share yield estimates topping 250–300 bushels per acre and explain why late rains can still turn a crop around.

🦌 Trail Cameras & Pre-Season Prep – Don explains how he shifts cameras from summer to fall ranges, while Terry shares stand setup and habitat projects.

⚠️ EHD & CWD Insight – Don gives a unique perspective on why wiping out herds may not be the solution, comparing disease resistance to nature’s own balance.

🙏 Faith & Reflections – The hosts remind listeners of God’s design in creation, share upcoming events, and close with encouragement for the hunting community.

Whether you’re managing plots, battling EHD, or just itching for season to start, this episode delivers practical insight and thought-provoking discussion for every serious whitetail hunter.

In Episode 285 of Chasing Giants, Don Higgins and Terry Peer cover a wide range of topics that every serious deer hunter needs to hear:

Early EHD reports from Ohio and Indiana — why this year’s outbreak is unusual and what you can (and can’t) do to help your herd.

Late-summer habitat projects using new forestry mulching technology — see how Don and Terry are improving deer movement without disturbing sanctuaries.

The truth about Don’s past high-fence operation — what really happened, how that land is used today, and why it matters for habitat management.

Listener Q&A on property distances for multiple buck groups, planting strategies for Plot Topper, Harvest Salad & Deadly Dozen, and corn vs. soybeans for browse.

Hunting strategy tips for accessing stands across open fields in November.

Plus, updates on the upcoming Midwest Sportsman’s Classic and a preview of fall Chasing Giants TV hunts.

📅 Midwest Sportsman’s Classic: Feb 19–21, 2026

🎥 Don’t miss exclusive habitat project footage coming soon to Chasing Giants TV.

In Episode 284 of Chasing Giants, Don Higgins and Terry Peer dive deep into the current state of deer hunting in Illinois—and why it’s more frustrating than ever. Don shares raw insight from recent trail camera checks across six properties, and the results are not encouraging.

Topics covered:

Disappointing buck numbers across key Illinois locations

Why DNR and political decisions are crippling herd health

A surprising take on nuisance tags and sharpshooting

How cover crops could revolutionize permission hunting

Don’s next legacy project with his grandsons

Big updates on Chasing Giants TV filming and special projects for the Midwest Sportsman's Classic

If you care about land, legacy, and the future of hunting, this episode is a must-listen.

🎯 Leave your thoughts on Don’s take in the comments—especially if you live in Illinois!

In this week’s episode, Don and Terry recap what might be the best food plot season they’ve ever experienced. With towering test corn, lush soybeans, and strong weed control results, the 2025 growing season is shaping up to be a game-changer.

🌽 They cover:

Massive Nutri-Crave corn and test plot performance

Pre-emergent herbicide success using Resicore

Tips for planting fall plots at the right time (and what happens if you plant too early)

🎯 Don announces a free land manager training event for Real World dealers this winter — an educational day packed with hands-on strategy, product walk-throughs, and a special session with Dr. Aaron Gaines to explain the science behind Real World’s Maximizer nutrition.

📸 They also dive into:

Velvet trail cam updates (and a flashback to Don’s legendary buck, Smokey)

Habitat projects in the works for the Midwest Sportsman’s Classic

Listener questions on rut funnels, doe adoption behavior, and managing cattle and deer on one property

🎁 Plus — Don gives Chasing Giants listeners early access to a 75-acre turnkey hunting farm in Ohio before it’s listed online.

It’s a packed episode with strategy, stories, and practical tips to help you get the most out of your land this fall.

Podcast Episode Summary:

In Episode 282, Terry returns from vacation with renewed perspective, while Don shares major insights from a recent thermal drone survey on his property. The guys break down how advanced technology is reshaping whitetail land management—from drone herd counts to trail camera testing.

You’ll also hear:

Don's thoughts after shooting more deer last season than ever before

A head-to-head comparison of WiseEye vs. Reconyx trail cameras

Why Grubb Equipment and Tagged Out Technique are game-changers for habitat managers

Listener questions on cover crop management, buck genetics, bedding area size, and how to evaluate the best deer hunting farms acre-for-acre

Whether you’re a weekend food plotter or serious trophy hunter, this episode is full of real-world insights to help you grow, hold, and hunt mature whitetails.

Watch Chasing Giants TV for more habitat and hunting content

Our sponsors for Chasing Giants TV include: -

Asio Camo Gear - www.asiogear.com -

Midwest Land Group - www.midwestlandgroup.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

Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

Don Higgins and Terry Peer are back with a packed episode of the Chasing Giants Podcast, diving deep into trail camera strategy, food plot updates, listener questions, and some wild woods stories you won’t believe.

🦌 Topics This Week:

Don’s July 4th trail camera deployment strategy

Tracking a buck across 4.5 miles and multiple years

Don’s tiers of camera locations: Bachelor Groups, Strategic Monitoring, and Exploratory Placement

Food plot updates — what’s working in the drought and how herbicide programs saved the season

Funny trail cam encounters — including a Christmas Day turnip theft and a legendary woods story

Listener Q&A on deer movement, food plot weed control, and managing doe populations

The truth about managing genetics — and a teaser for next week’s deep dive on how Don’s long-term strategies have altered the buck genetics on his farm

📸 Trail Cam Tip of the Week: Use every summer picture as a data point — even if the buck’s not a shooter yet!

🎯 Listener Questions Sponsored by: Midwest Land Group

🦾 Blind Sponsor: 360 Hunting Blinds – Check out the Chasing Giants Edition Blind

▶️ Subscribe and turn on notifications — Season is almost here and these strategies are dialed in!

Our sponsors for Chasing Giants TV include: -

Asio Camo Gear - www.asiogear.com -

Midwest Land Group - www.midwestlandgroup.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

Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.

🎯 Episode 280 - Trail Cams, Big Cats, and Camo Drops | Special Guest Joe Miles

In this special 4th of July weekend episode, Terry and Don welcome Joe Miles of Osseo Gear and Mission Whitetail. Joe shares the jaw-dropping story of his 19-day leopard hunt in Zimbabwe—and how the same attention to detail applies to hunting mature whitetails.

We dive into:

Trail camera strategies for velvet season 📸

Updates on the Chasing Giants Wildlife Orchard 🌳

New products and a second camo pattern launch from Osseo Gear 👕

Lessons from chasing big bucks across North America

The scariest moments these hunters have faced (you won’t believe Don’s elk camp story!) 😳

Listener Q&A on deer repellents, cattle pastures during the rut, and food plot rotation 🌾

Don’t miss this jam-packed episode full of insights, laughs, and serious deer strategy from three seasoned hunters.

📌 Subscribe now and visit www.osseogear.com for pre-orders

📌 Watch Chasing Giants TV for more habitat and hunting content

Our sponsors for Chasing Giants TV include: -

Asio Camo Gear - www.asiogear.com -

Midwest Land Group - www.midwestlandgroup.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

Any reproduction of this content without the written permission of Chasing Giants TV LLC is strictly prohibited.