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Chasing Giants with Don Higgins

Terry Peer

Chronicling the constant pursuit of World Class Whitetails. Follow an experienced land manager, consultant, writer, and hunting industry expert throughout the year as he finds, targets, and hunts world class whitetail bucks. Hunting tips and tricks that can be used no matter your skill set, property, or goals this hunting season.

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28 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 7 min
English

Episodes 28

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#348
Yesterday · 1 hr 17 min
Our Trail Cameras Went DEAD… Where Did All the Deer Go? | Chasing Giants #343
Something strange happened in mid-September — our trail cameras practically went DEAD. Don went from getting hundreds of deer pictures a day to virtually nothing. Terry started seeing the same thing on multiple properties spread across a huge geographic area. Is it weather? A seasonal transition? Bucks shedding velvet? EHD? Or something else entirely? In Episode 343 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer compare what they're seeing and ask listeners across the Midwest to ch
#347
September 13 · 1 hr 5 min
One Minute Too Late… The Giant Buck That Got Away | EP 341
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 b
#346
September 6 · 1 hr 14 min
Don Higgins’ 2026 Big Buck Forecast: The Worst He’s Ever Seen
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 r
#345
August 30 · 1 hr 8 min
The #1 Factor for Deer Movement — It’s NOT the Rut | Chasing Giants #340
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 ne
#344
August 23 · 1 hr 8 min
Someone Sends You a Tip on a 200” Buck… What Do You Do? | Chasing Giants 339
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 dr
#343
August 19 · 46 min
Does Your Life Show That You Know Jesus? | Chasing Assurance Ep. 61
Can people tell that you have been with Jesus? Study Guide Link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/szh5hyszp4m56rzyrft25/Study-Guide-Chasing-Assurance-61.pdf?rlkey=qlyxuknfu5pgt9a8jmbqkjkux&dl=0 In Acts 4:13, Peter and John stood before the religious leaders as ordinary, unschooled men. Yet there was something unmistakable about them. Their courage, their conviction and the way they lived caused those watching to recognize one thing: **These men had been with Jesus.** In Episode 61 of the Chasi
#342
August 16 · 1 hr 9 min
Legal Doesn’t Mean Ethical: Where Do YOU Draw the Line? | Chasing Giants 338
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 ep
#341
August 9 · 1 hr 2 min
You Spent WHAT on a Deer Crossing?! | Chasing Giants #337
What would you spend to make one of your best hunting setups even better? On Episode 337 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins breaks down one of the most elaborate habitat projects he's tackled on his farm—a creek crossing built specifically to influence deer movement. After a previous crossing was destroyed by flooding, Don isn't taking any chances this time. He's rebuilding it with a massive repurposed steel tank, crushed limestone, rebar and approximately eight inches of concrete. Th
#340
August 2 · 1 hr 7 min
Thermal Drones, Food Plot Mistakes & Buck Dispersal | Chasing Giants Podcast #336
As deer season gets closer, Don Higgins and Terry Peer cover some of the biggest topics facing deer hunters right now. This week they discuss: • Thermal drones and why Don installed drone detection technology on his farm. • Herbicide updates after a challenging growing season. • Why residual herbicides performed differently this year. • Johnson grass and waterhemp management. • Scrape Magnet tips and the biggest mistakes hunters are making with mock scrapes. • Summer buck dispersal and what ha
#339
July 26 · 1 hr 7 min
You're Planting Fall Food Plots TOO EARLY! (Most Hunters Get This Wrong)
Many hunters make the same mistake every summer—they plant their fall food plots too early. This week, Don Higgins and Terry Peer discuss what they discovered while checking food plots in southern Illinois after weeks of heavy rain and mature Johnsongrass infestations. Topics include: • When to actually plant fall food plots • How weather changes your planting strategy • Mature Johnsongrass control in soybeans • Why bigger food plots aren't always better • Business advice from Don Higgins • L
#338
July 19 · 1 hr 12 min
The Biggest Food Plot Mistakes We're Seeing Right Now | Chasing Giants #334
Many food plotters are struggling after one of the wettest growing seasons in years. In Episode 334 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer explain why spring food plots have struggled, when it's time to terminate a plot and start over, and how to prepare for a successful fall planting. They also discuss: Why excessive rainfall has created major weed problems Robin Higgins' latest cancer treatment update Lessons learned from the Darren Bailey episode Why herd management start
#337
July 12 · 1 hr 14 min
Can Politics Save Illinois Deer Hunting? Darren Bailey on Illinois Deer Hunting
Illinois was once considered the greatest whitetail state in America. So what happened? This week on Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer sit down with Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey for an in-depth discussion about the future of deer hunting, conservation, farming, and wildlife management. Topics include: • The decline of Illinois' legendary deer herd • Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) • DNR leadership and wildlife management • Bringing hunters and farmers together
#336
July 5 · 56 min
Summer Scouting Secrets + A Life Lesson Every Hunter Needs | Chasing Giants #332
This week on Chasing Giants... Don shares a heartfelt update on Robin's cancer treatments and explains how life's hardest moments have reshaped his priorities. Then the conversation shifts into summer scouting as Don discusses trail camera deployment, early buck observations, food plots, water sources, and what he's seeing after the recent heat wave. The guys also talk about the incredible response to the Doubting Thomas film, discuss legacy, answer listener questions, and remind everyone why
#335
June 28 · 1 hr 4 min
Making Good Tree Stands GREAT | Don Higgins' Best Habitat Tricks + Doubting Thomas Premiere
Most hunters hang a tree stand and hope for the best. Don Higgins explains why that's not enough. In this episode of Chasing Giants, Don shares several habitat improvements that can transform an average stand location into a consistent mature buck hotspot. Learn how simple changes—including sprayed travel corridors, habitat manipulation, and stand setup—can dramatically increase your odds this fall. We also discuss: • Why July 1st is Don's favorite time to deploy trail cameras • The upcoming
#334
June 21 · 1 hr 16 min
#330 - Can Supplemental Feeding Add 15"+ to a Buck? Don Higgins Answers
Can supplemental feeding actually add 10-15 inches to a mature buck's antlers? In this episode of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins tackles one of the most controversial topics in deer management. Don explains the long-term impact of supplemental feeding, fetal programming, mineral nutrition, genetics, and why hunters often misunderstand what feed can and cannot accomplish. We also discuss: • Storm damage across Kentucky and Illinois • Soybean browse pressure and utilization cages • Rea
#333
June 14 · 1 hr 3 min
#329 | Why Don Higgins Gets More Excited About July Than Opening Day
Episode 329 of the Chasing Giants Podcast is all about preparation for velvet season. Don Higgins and Terry Peer discuss: • Why July 1st is the most important date of the summer • When mature bucks start revealing themselves • Trail camera deployment strategy • Food plot updates and spraying schedules • Rope scrapes and Scrape Magnet tips • Managing cedar thickets for better habitat • Hairy vetch questions answered • Don's thoughts on woodsmanship, technology, and reconnecting with nature Plus
#332
June 7 · 1 hr 22 min
The Biggest Mistake Food Plotters Make in June | Chasing Giants #328
On this episode of Chasing Giants, Don Higgins and Terry Peer discuss one of the most critical times of the year for food plot success. Topics include: • When to spray soybeans and why timing matters • Weed control strategies for Gen 2 soybeans • Nutrient-dense crops and how deer select food sources • Deer repellents and upcoming product testing • Summer food plot management questions from listeners • Habitat improvements and switchgrass discussions • Updates from the farm and current growing
#331
June 5 · 1 hr 11 min
Why BIG BUCK Areas Often FAIL Deer Hunters | Chasing Giants 327
In this episode of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer discuss one of the most misunderstood topics in deer hunting: Why some of the “best” big buck neighborhoods actually become the hardest places to consistently kill mature deer. Don explains: how hunting pressure changes deer movement why mature bucks adapt how his Illinois farm transformed over decades why property layout matters more than reputation The guys also discuss: planting soybeans during a wet spring using L
#330
May 31 · 1 hr 11 min
Why BIG BUCK Areas Often FAIL Deer Hunters | Chasing Giants 327
In this episode of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer discuss one of the most misunderstood topics in deer hunting: Why some of the “best” big buck neighborhoods actually become the hardest places to consistently kill mature deer. Don explains: how hunting pressure changes deer movement why mature bucks adapt how his Illinois farm transformed over decades why property layout matters more than reputation The guys also discuss: planting soybeans during a wet spring using L
#329
May 24 · 1 hr 8 min
Why Mature Bucks Go Nocturnal | Chasing Giants Podcast 326
In this episode of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins returns after spending time helping Robin recover from major surgery at Mayo Clinic. Don shares an emotional update on Robin’s condition, the road ahead with chemo treatments, and thanks the Chasing Giants family for the overwhelming prayers and support. Terry also recaps an unforgettable Manitoba black bear hunt filled with giant bears, unbelievable footage, close encounters, and stories that will eventually become two full Chasing Gia

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