Chasing Giants with Don Higgins

Deer season is officially here, and Chasing Giants is back with plenty to talk about. Terry kicks off Episode 341 with an update from his first hunts of the 2026 Kentucky season, including a fascinating Western Kentucky property where years of habitat improvement, food plots, bedding cover and disciplined buck management are beginning to show major results. Don and Terry discuss why buck management can have such a dramatic impact on a property—not because hunters are “changing genetics,” but because they can influence which bucks are allowed to reach older age classes. They also talk about last-minute food plot work, overseeding standing corn and soybeans, hairy vetch, cereal grains, miscanthus screens and preparing properties for the heart of deer season. Then the conversation takes a turn. Don is going old school. His grandson Walker has developed an interest in trapping, and Don is pulling out knowledge and equipment from a part of his outdoor life that predates his obsession with giant whitetails. Their goal includes catching 50 raccoons and eventually pursuing the different Illinois furbearers together. From there, Terry brings up a fascinating debate happening in another outdoor industry: forward-facing sonar in fishing. It raises a much bigger question: What happens when technology becomes so effective that the younger generation experiences hunting and fishing completely differently than the generation before them? Trail cameras. Cell cameras. Drones. Forward-facing sonar. Where is the line between using technology and losing the skills that originally defined the outdoors? Don gives his perspective on the generational divide and why passing along woodsmanship, character, integrity and faith may be more important than ever. Plus, this week's listener questions include: • Would Don consider becoming Illinois DNR Director if Darren Bailey asked him? • What's the big buck that Don still thinks he should have killed? • Do trail cameras take some of the excitement out of hunting? • How should you hunt a small rut funnel surrounded by larger properties? • How does Don deal with criticism and haters on social media? • Will a buck with an abnormal extra beam grow it again next year? And perhaps one of the best reminders of Episode 341: Keep hunting fun. Hunt the way that makes YOU happy. You don't have to impress social media, Don, Terry or anybody else. Thanks for listening, watching and being part of the Chasing Giants community. BOONE BROTHERS Kentucky hunters have an incredible opportunity to turn their deer harvest into meals for hungry children. One donated doe can provide approximately 115 meals through Boone Brothers. Deer season is officially here, and Chasing Giants is back with plenty to talk about. Chasing Giants TV Sponsors: Real World Wildlife Products Asio Gear Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors: Asio Gear Real World Wildlife Products Hawke Optics Novix Outdoors Midwest Land Group 360 Hunting Blinds Mike’s Mighty Micros Gingerich Tree Farms TagOut Technique Grubb Implement Brenton USA Mathews Archery Victory GMC & Auto Group Wildlife Farming WiseEye Technologies Chasing Assurance Podcast Sponsors: Heartwood Planning Group WiseEye Technologies Coonless Feeders Green Prairie Seed Company © 2026 Chasing Giants Podcast. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts during this episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Chasing Giants, our sponsors, advertising partners, affiliates, or associated organizations. This interview is presented for informational purposes and to encourage respectful discussion. Copyright Notice: Any unauthorized reproduction, rebroadcast, redistribution, recording, or use of this audio or video, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Chasing Giants LLC is strictly prohibited.

Don Higgins’ annual Big Buck Forecast is here—and his outlook for the 2026 whitetail season may surprise a lot of hunters. After decades of running trail cameras across multiple properties, counties, and states, Don says this has been the worst summer he can remember for finding mature bucks. So what is happening to our mature whitetails? In Episode #341 of Chasing Giants, Don and Terry break down what Don is seeing across his trail-camera network, how mature buck numbers have changed, what role increased hunting pressure and technology may be playing, and why Don believes hunters who want to continue chasing mature whitetails need to start paying attention. They also discuss: • Why hot weather has crushed recent deer movement • Hard-horn bucks beginning to show up • Whether you should plant fall food plots in extremely dry conditions • The winner of the Lester’s Feet South Texas hunt • Why Don believes fewer 150"+ bucks are surviving to maturity • How technology is changing mature buck hunting • Whether the world-record typical whitetail will ever be broken • Why the next world record could be getting killed every year before reaching its potential • Whether mature bucks actually seek out areas without hunting pressure—or simply get lucky • One large hunting property vs. owning multiple properties • Don’s aggressive approach to managing his buck herd this season • Russian olive and honey locust for whitetail habitat • Apples vs. pears vs. persimmons for deer orchards • The importance of creating something on your property that your neighbors don't have Plus, we share an important update on Robin, talk about the incredible mission of Boone Brothers, and celebrate another successful Lester’s Feet fundraiser. As hunting seasons begin opening across the country, we wish every member of the Chasing Giants family a safe and successful 2026 season. God bless, and thanks for chasing giants with us. #ChasingGiants #DonHiggins #WhitetailDeer #DeerHunting #BigBucks Chasing Giants TV Sponsors: Real World Wildlife Products Asio Gear Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors: Asio Gear Real World Wildlife Products Hawke Optics Novix Outdoors Midwest Land Group 360 Hunting Blinds Mike’s Mighty Micros Gingerich Tree Farms TagOut Technique Grubb Implement Brenton USA Mathews Archery Victory GMC & Auto Group Wildlife Farming WiseEye Technologies Chasing Assurance Podcast Sponsors: Heartwood Planning Group WiseEye Technologies Coonless Feeders Green Prairie Seed Company © 2026 Chasing Giants Podcast. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts during this episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Chasing Giants, our sponsors, advertising partners, affiliates, or associated organizations. This interview is presented for informational purposes and to encourage respectful discussion. Copyright Notice: Any unauthorized reproduction, rebroadcast, redistribution, recording, or use of this audio or video, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Chasing Giants LLC is strictly prohibited.

What is the #1 factor controlling whitetail deer movement? According to Don Higgins, it isn't the rut. It isn't the moon. It's TEMPERATURE. In Episode 340 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don shares a recent real-world example from his trail cameras. After averaging roughly 100–400 photos per day across eight cameras, a temperature change caused activity to explode to more than 1,500 photos per day — and the movement wasn't limited to nighttime. Don and Terry break down why weather can trump nearly everything else when it comes to mature buck movement and how hunters can use cold fronts throughout the entire deer season. Also in Episode 340: • Why 2026 is producing an incredible hard and soft mast crop • Acorns, apples, persimmons, chestnuts and other fall food sources • How abundant food can change deer patterns • October morning hunting — when does it actually make sense? • A mature buck encounter that completely changed how Don hunts • Why giving up the wind can ruin even a great stand location • What "woodsmanship" really means • Why trapping can make someone a better deer hunter • Teaching the next generation traditional outdoor skills • Using hairy vetch for soil health and whitetail food plots • Hunting over bait: the difference between legal and ethical • How to prepare for the moment of truth on a giant buck • Listener questions and important prayer requests With hunting seasons beginning across the country, this episode is packed with information you can put to use immediately. Subscribe to Chasing Giants and join Don Higgins and Terry Peer each week as they discuss mature whitetails, habitat management, hunting strategy, faith, and lessons learned from decades in the whitetail woods. #ChasingGiants #WhitetailDeer #DeerHunting #MatureBucks #ColdFront #DeerMovement #WhitetailHunting #HuntingPodcast #FoodPlots #DeerHabitat Chasing Giants TV Sponsors: Real World Wildlife Products Asio Gear Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors: Asio Gear Real World Wildlife Products Hawke Optics Novix Outdoors Midwest Land Group 360 Hunting Blinds Mike’s Mighty Micros Gingerich Tree Farms TagOut Technique Grubb Implement Brenton USA Mathews Archery Victory GMC & Auto Group Wildlife Farming WiseEye Technologies Chasing Assurance Podcast Sponsors: Heartwood Planning Group WiseEye Technologies Coonless Feeders Green Prairie Seed Company © 2026 Chasing Giants Podcast. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts during this episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Chasing Giants, our sponsors, advertising partners, affiliates, or associated organizations. This interview is presented for informational purposes and to encourage respectful discussion. Copyright Notice: Any unauthorized reproduction, rebroadcast, redistribution, recording, or use of this audio or video, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Chasing Giants LLC is strictly prohibited.

What would you do if somebody sent you a photo — and the exact location — of a 200-inch whitetail? On Episode 339 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer dive back into one of the most debated subjects in hunting: the difference between what is legal and what is ethical. After last week's discussion generated more than 100 comments, Don explains why hunting ethics have to go beyond simply asking whether something is legal. That conversation leads directly back into thermal drones — including the story of a hunter who spent $10,000 on a thermal drone, used it for only a few months, and then sold it because he believed the technology crossed an ethical line. Then Don addresses controversy surrounding a recent Whitetail Master Academy clip about receiving tips on giant bucks. Don explains exactly what happens when somebody sends him information about a big deer, why most tips never make it beyond his computer, and why he has walked away from opportunities to hunt tremendous bucks when doing so would step on another hunter's toes. Don also shares an incredible story about locating a giant Nebraska buck on public land. After tracing the trail-camera photo back to the young hunter who originally captured it, Don called him directly and asked for his blessing before hunting the deer. The hunter said no — and Don walked away. Plus, Don and Terry answer listener questions covering: Why Don is cautious about river-bottom hunting properties Whether NutriCrave high-oil corn is difficult for deer to digest Whether shooting a cull buck can push a target buck off your property How to recognize hunting content that may not tell the entire story How Don chooses stand locations based on wind Why sometimes the best hunting decision is simply staying home The episode closes with Sunday Night Prayer Time with Ty Miller and a challenge to stop merely reacting as Christians and begin intentionally viewing our lives, neighbors, challenges and priorities through God. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Chasing Giants 339 00:25 Update on Robin Higgins 03:00 Prayers for Gene Wentzel & Kevin Thayer 05:00 Legal vs. Ethical Hunting 09:40 Are Thermal Drones Unethical? 11:00 Hunter Buys a $10,000 Drone — Then Sells It 14:15 Protecting Your Property From Drones 16:25 Boone Brothers & Donating Deer in Kentucky 18:45 What Happened to Whitetail Master Academy? 21:00 Don Responds to the Big Buck Controversy 23:30 Rumors About Don Higgins 25:55 Don Knows Where Two 200” Bucks Are Right Now 28:10 Treat Other Hunters the Way You Want to Be Treated 30:35 Should You Share Pictures of Giant Bucks? 32:55 How Don Handles Tips on Big Bucks 35:20 The Giant Nebraska Public-Land Buck 37:40 River Bottom Properties — Good or Bad? 40:05 Can You Keep Mature Bucks on Your Property? 42:30 Is High-Oil Corn Hard for Deer to Digest? 44:50 Will Killing a Cull Buck Push Away Your Target Buck? 46:55 Is Hunting Content Becoming Fake? 49:20 Smoke, Mirrors & Hunting Personalities 53:15 Does Don Know Every Mature Buck on His Farm? 55:10 Choosing Stands for Different Winds 59:30 Sunday Night Prayer — Seeing Life Through God YouTube Tags Chasing Giants, Don Higgins, Terry Peer, Chasing Giants Podcast, whitetail deer, whitetail hunting, deer hunting, mature bucks, big bucks, giant whitetails, 200 inch buck, hunting ethics, hunting controversy, thermal drones, deer recovery drones, hunting drones, trail cameras, trail camera pictures, public land bucks, hunting permission, deer hunting tips, habitat management, land management, food plots, deer behavior, river bottom hunting, deer hunting pressure, bowhunting, Kentucky deer hunting, Whitetail Master Academy, Don Higgins whitetail, Christian hunting podcast Chasing Giants TV Sponsors: Real World Wildlife Products Asio Gear Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors: Asio Gear Real World Wildlife Products Hawke Optics Novix Outdoors Midwest Land Group 360 Hunting Blinds Mike’s Mighty Micros Gingerich Tree Farms TagOut Technique Grubb Implement Brenton USA Mathews Archery Victory GMC & Auto Group Wildlife Farming WiseEye Technologies Chasing Assurance Podcast Sponsors: Heartwood Planning Group WiseEye Technologies Coonless Feeders Green Prairie Seed Company © 2026 Chasing Giants Podcast. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts during this episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Chasing Giants, our sponsors, advertising partners, affiliates, or associated organizations. This interview is presented for informational purposes and to encourage respectful discussion. Copyright Notice: Any unauthorized reproduction, rebroadcast, redistribution, recording, or use of this audio or video, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Chasing Giants LLC is strictly prohibited.

Are drones becoming one of the biggest threats to ethical deer hunting? In Episode 338 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer revisit the growing controversy surrounding drones and deer hunting—and Don doesn't hold back. After seeing firsthand just how quickly thermal drone technology can locate mature whitetails, Don explains why his opinion has changed and why he believes the hunting community needs to seriously consider where the ethical line should be drawn. But this episode goes much deeper than drones. Don explains why he gets so passionate—and sometimes fired up—when discussing hunting and deer management. Terry brings up the influence longtime friend and mentor Al Foster had on Don, challenging him years ago to think beyond simply asking, "Is it legal?" and instead ask, "Is it right?" They also tackle a great listener question about something many passionate hunters wrestle with: Can hunting become an idol? How do you balance your dedication to whitetails with your walk with Christ, family, church, and the things that should come first? PLUS: • Don sees his first wild badger in Illinois • Excellent rainfall has Don excited about this year's soybean crop • Mid-August fall food plot preparation • Weed wipers for controlling weeds in soybeans • Fall vs. spring fruit tree planting • Bare-root vs. potted fruit trees • Don's favorite low-maintenance wildlife fruit trees • Why transplanting wild apple trees usually isn't worth it • Updates on the NEW Chasing Giants website and merchandise • A new FREE call-in option being developed for listeners without internet access • And yes... more discussion about "jackasses." Episode 338 is a mix of hunting strategy, habitat management, ethics, faith, listener questions, and a few classic Don Higgins rants. We may not always agree—but hopefully Chasing Giants makes all of us THINK. Thanks for being part of the Chasing Giants family. Subscribe and join us every week as Don Higgins and Terry Peer talk mature whitetails, habitat management, hunting strategy, faith, and everything that comes with Chasing Giants. Chasing Giants TV Sponsors: Real World Wildlife Products Asio Gear Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors: Asio Gear Real World Wildlife Products Hawke Optics Novix Outdoors Midwest Land Group 360 Hunting Blinds Mike’s Mighty Micros Gingerich Tree Farms TagOut Technique Grubb Implement Brenton USA Mathews Archery Victory GMC & Auto Group Wildlife Farming WiseEye Technologies Chasing Assurance Podcast Sponsors: Heartwood Planning Group WiseEye Technologies Coonless Feeders Green Prairie Seed Company © 2026 Chasing Giants Podcast. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts during this episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Chasing Giants, our sponsors, advertising partners, affiliates, or associated organizations. This interview is presented for informational purposes and to encourage respectful discussion. Copyright Notice: Any unauthorized reproduction, rebroadcast, redistribution, recording, or use of this audio or video, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Chasing Giants LLC is strictly prohibited.