Chasing Giants with Don Higgins Terry Peer

Summary
In this episode, Terry and Don discuss their recent trail camera findings and when to plant fall plots. They also touch on their thoughts about recent political events. Don shares his experience speaking at an event in Wisconsin and talks about the abundance of fawns he's seen on his trail cameras. They emphasize the importance of timing when planting fall plots and recommend backdating from the expected first frost. They also address a listener's question about dealing with reed canary grass in deer habitat. In this conversation, Don and Terry discuss topics related to deer hunting and land management. They cover subjects such as converting reeds canary grass sites, the effectiveness of mineral blocks, the challenges of getting products into major retail stores, the impact of EHD on deer populations, and their personal hunting and life goals. Don shares his goals of shooting a 180-inch buck on public land and two more bucks over 200 inches, while Terry emphasizes the importance of using his new business as a ministry and leaving a legacy for his children. They also address the misconception that Don only hunts big bucks on his special property.

Keywords
trail cameras, fall plots, planting, timing, reed canary grass, deer habitat, deer hunting, land management, reeds canary grass, mineral blocks, EHD, retail stores, hunting goals, life goals

Takeaways

Timing is crucial when planting fall plots, and it's important to backdate from the expected first frost.
Planting fall plots too early can result in the plants becoming too mature and losing their palatability.
Reed canary grass is a challenging grass to deal with in deer habitat, but burning it off and planting potted trees can help establish better vegetation.
Spraying around the trees to keep the reed canary grass at bay is necessary for the trees to thrive.
Observing the abundance of fawns on trail cameras can indicate a successful fawning season. Glyphosate and clethodim can be used to convert reeds canary grass sites into better quality deer cover.
Mineral blocks like Trophy Rock may attract deer, but they do not provide the same nutritional benefits as products like Maximizer.
Getting products into major retail stores like Amazon can be challenging due to the demand for high profit margins.
The recovery of deer populations after an EHD outbreak can take several years, especially if hunting pressure remains high.
Don's hunting goals include shooting a 180-inch buck on public land and two more bucks over 200 inches.
Terry's life goals involve using his new business as a ministry and leaving a legacy for his children.

Summary
In this episode, Terry and Don catch up on their recent activities, including filming with Steve Shields and preparing for the Midwest Sportsman's Classic. They also discuss the new Ninmax batteries and answer questions about deer movement and tree planting. Don emphasizes the importance of playing the wind when hunting mature bucks, despite a study that suggests otherwise. He also provides advice on shading potted trees to prevent heat damage. In this part of the conversation, Don and Terry answer questions from listeners about scenting rope scrapes, promoting bedding in cattails, learning the movement of bucks, managing overgrown fields, and shooting albino or piebald deer. They also share updates on Lester's Feet and upcoming events. Don mentions that his days of seminar tours are winding down, and Terry shares his travel plans to Tennessee and the Gulf of Mexico.

Keywords
podcast, filming, weather, food plots, trail cameras, deer block, batteries, hunting show, tree planting, wind, deer movement, scenting rope scrapes, bedding in cattails, learning buck movement, managing overgrown fields, shooting albino or piebald deer, Lester's Feet, upcoming events, seminar tours, travel plans

Takeaways
Playing the wind is crucial for hunting mature bucks
The new Ninmax batteries are now available on the Real World website
The Midwest Sportsman's Classic will feature a Legends Roundtable and more events
Shading potted trees can help prevent heat damage Scenting rope scrapes can be done in the fall, but it wouldn't hurt to try it earlier
Aged rope scrapes and natural materials like pine branches or grapevines can attract deer
Trail cameras are essential for learning buck movement and determining stand locations
Overgrown fields with weeds and saplings can provide excellent cover for deer
Switchgrass is not necessary if you already have good cover in an overgrown field
Shooting albino or piebald deer is a personal choice, but legality and the buck's size and age should be considered
Lester's Feet continues to make a positive impact on children with disabilities
Don's seminar tours are winding down, so take the opportunity to see him if he's in your area

Summary
Don discusses his recent activities in scouting deer properties and the progress of his Ohio property. He also shares the emotional journey of hunting and harvesting a buck named Babe, and the impact it had on his perspective and relationships. Don and Terry also answer questions about feeding and baiting deer, and Don expresses his preference for gravity-fed feeders. In this part of the conversation, Don and Terry answer questions from listeners about antler development conditions, hunting strategies, and dealing with hunting neighbors. They discuss the varying growing conditions across different regions and emphasize the importance of playing the wind when hunting mature bucks. They also address the challenge of hunting with family members who have different hunting approaches and stress the importance of valuing relationships over deer. Additionally, they discuss the use of Miscanthus as a screen to block a neighbor's view and mention that

Keywords
deer properties, scouting, Ohio property, emotional journey, relationships, feeding deer, baiting, gravity-fed feeders, antler development, hunting strategies, hunting neighbors, playing the wind, family hunting, Miscanthus, Real World Wildlife Products

Takeaways
Scouting deer properties and setting up trail cameras is an important part of deer hunting preparation.
The emotional journey of hunting and harvesting a buck can have a profound impact on a hunter's perspective and relationships.
Gravity-fed feeders are preferred over automatic feeders for feeding deer, as they are more reliable and keep other animals away from the feed.
Revolutionary advancements in gravity-fed feeders are on the horizon, which will improve feed capacity and reduce feed loss. Growing conditions for antler development vary across different regions.
Playing the wind is crucial when hunting mature bucks.
Valuing relationships with family members is more important than hunting success.
Miscanthus can be used as a screen to block a neighbor's view.
Real World Wildlife Products will not be going public.

Summary
In this episode, Don and Terry discuss Don's trail camera deployment, his creative spring on his property to keep deer off his soybeans, and the recent changes to deer hunting regulations in Iowa. They also provide an update on Don's daughter's health and answer a question about preparing fall plots when weeds have taken over. In this conversation, Don and Terry discuss various topics related to habitat management and deer hunting. They provide advice on managing weeds in food plots, the timing of herbicide application, and the importance of not disturbing the soil after spraying. They also discuss the benefits and challenges of frost seeding switchgrass and the use of cover crops. The conversation touches on the age of harvested does and the impact of bobcats on the deer population. They also mention the upcoming release of Real World batteries.


trail cameras, deer hunting, soybeans, herbicides, Iowa, cancer, fall plots, weeds, habitat management, deer hunting, weed control, herbicide application, frost seeding, switchgrass, cover crops, doe harvest, bobcats, Real World batteries

In this episode, Don and Terry discuss a new product they will be offering on the Real World website: trail camera batteries. Don explains the challenges he faced in finding affordable batteries and how he found a brand that is as good as the popular Energizer batteries but at a lower price. They also discuss the impact of the delayed hay harvest on fawn mortality and the benefits of planting potted trees in the fall. Don addresses the question of planting cedars and explains that while they can be invasive in some regions, they make great cover in others. They also touch on the possibility of a trail camera manufacturing partnership and the placement of mineral sites and predator activity. In this part of the conversation, Terry and Don discuss the adaptability of predators and the regret of shooting a particular buck. They also talk about the impact of Babe's story and how hunting goes beyond just hunting. They answer a question about when to put up trail cameras and discuss the challenges of land consulting. They end the conversation by sharing special memories of their fathers on Father's Day.

trail camera batteries, hay harvest, fawn mortality, potted trees, cedars, predator activity, predators, adaptability, regret, shooting, buck, Babe's story, hunting, trail cameras, land consulting, fathers, Father's Day