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.