Gear & Optics — Listener Q&A

Questions 1–119 of 119 in this category. All listener questions

Trail Cameras

Question: Neil Compton asked whether bucks shift summer ranges or avoid areas used by does with newborn fawns, since bachelor groups vanished from his cameras after fawns dropped. 62:21 — asked by Neil Compton — #330 - Can Supplemental Feeding Add 15”+ to a Buck? Don Higgins Answers

• Answer: Don explained the pattern reflects survival instinct: nature has geared deer for survival of the species, not just each individual animal, during summer. 62:49
• Answer: Don added that does take over the best available habitat to hide and nurse fawns, often pushing bucks out of the area during summer. 63:14

Question: Terry asked Joe what he had going on so far with his trail cameras. 8:00 — asked by Terry — Episode 280 - Trail Cams, Big Cats, and Camo Drops | Special Guest Joe Miles

• Answer: Joe said his bow season opens August 15, which is when trail camera focus fully kicks in. 8:03

Question: Are you still using BuckView software by Reconyx to manage trail camera pictures, or have you switched systems? 21:28 — #279 - Live Hot Seat! Don Higgins Faces Tough Questions from Dealers | 2025 RWWP Summit

• Answer: Don is still using BuckView since switching would mean losing years of stored trail camera history. 21:43
• Answer: Terry has standardized on Hunt Control, needed to manage roughly 45,000-50,000 trail camera pictures a week during hunting season. 21:58

Question: Terry asks whether waiting until July 1 for trail cameras risks missing bucks that return to their summer range from wintering areas. 33:05 — Episode #261 - Does GMO Traits Reduce Deer Attraction?

• Answer: Don says he isn’t worried since he rarely has many bucks on his property at all during summer, aside from occasional pass-through deer. 33:21

Question: What is the best way to age a buck on the hoof with no prior history on him? 14:25 — Episode #258 - Live Podcast from Mt. Hope Ohio

• Answer: Playing opposite-Don, Ray jokes that a tiny-looking deer is actually old. 14:46
• Answer: Terry explains a trail camera aging trick: as bucks age, the sagging distance in rear body proportions increases, letting you scale photos to judge age. 16:45

Question: Terry asks if Don’s view on trail camera data has changed since the Smokey and Trump years, given he now uses cell cam intel to plan hunts. 29:54 — asked by Terry — Episode #257 - Too Early to Shed Hunt - Show some compassion!

• Answer: Don says better cell-camera technology, not a change of heart, let him pinpoint bucks like Smokey precisely. 30:11
• Answer: He now feels using cell cams to catch a buck moving to bed borders on cheating. 32:46

Question: Mark Godfrey asked whether he should relocate a trail camera after a mature buck spots it and ‘wins the game.’ 56:44 — asked by Mark Godfrey — Episode #249 - Another Big Archery Buck! Terry Peer and Don Higgins Discuss

• Answer: Don said he’s had mature bucks appear on camera only once at a spot, believing they stay on the property but learn to specifically avoid that camera afterward. 57:28

Question: Adam Norton from Ankeny, Iowa asks whether Iowa should ban trail cameras on public land and if there are benefits to doing so. 48:17 — asked by Adam Norton — Episode #246 - Don Says - Best November Hunting in 50 Years

• Answer: Don says there are some benefits, since hunters would have to scout in person rather than rely on cameras. 48:46
• Answer: Don adds he’s unsure it’s fair to take away trail cameras from public-land-only hunters who already face disadvantages. 49:42

Question: Drew Wright from Clifton, Illinois asks whether out-of-the-way cover spots typically show big buck sign, or if sign is minimal there. 49:55 — asked by Drew Wright — Podcast #241 - Don’s Target Buck Revealed - Non-Typical Giant!

• Answer: Don says most out-of-the-way spots that actually hold a mature buck don’t have much sign at all, since the buck rarely moves in daylight there. 50:42
• Answer: Don’s approach is to find these spots and put a trail camera there, letting it soak, sometimes adding a mock scrape to concentrate the buck’s movement. 52:14

Question: Matt Mickelson asked whether reduced cell-camera photos of mature bucks might be caused by the camera connecting to the cellular network. 32:54 — asked by Matt Mickelson — Episode 238 - 2024 Buck Forecast - MORE GIANTS SHOT THIS YEAR

• Answer: Don suggested cell cameras sending photos might emit an inaudible noise, like a silent dog whistle, that spooks mature bucks, though he wasn’t certain. 35:13

Question: Austin Williams asks whether a big buck that appeared once then vanished made an early jaunt to his fall range or is still in his summer range. 31:24 — asked by Austin Williams — Episode #236 - Antler Genetics Follow Mother or Father?

• Answer: Don guesses the buck made an early jaunt into his fall range rather than remaining unseen in his summer range. 31:37

Question: Casey Larson asks why Don didn’t leave trail cameras on the Ohio dream buck’s property in case he survives and grows into a record. 38:24 — asked by Casey Larson — Episode #235 - Is EHD Back in 2024? Bucks Dead in Indiana!

• Answer: Don explains he skipped leaving trail cameras because the Ohio property was six hours from home; he’d have left cameras if it were within an hour or thirty minutes. 38:52

Question: Kyle from Oakland City, Indiana asks how to find a target buck’s rut range once you know his velvet summer range. 57:51 — asked by Kyle — Episode #235 - Is EHD Back in 2024? Bucks Dead in Indiana!

• Answer: Don says the secret is trail cameras, since knowing a buck’s summer range doesn’t mean you know where he goes in fall. 58:17
• Answer: Don adds hunters may need cameras in all four directions, since visual sightings or trail camera photos are really the only ways to relocate the buck. 59:53

Question: Cody wants to know where the cruising giant bucks that show up during the rut on his property are coming from. 41:16 — asked by Cody Zimmerman — Episode 230 - Don says Switchgrass is not the best bedding.

• Answer: Don says trail cameras are the key to gathering intel and learning about neighboring bucks’ ranges. 41:36

Question: Adam Rosendale asked for an update on Don’s possible trail camera manufacturing partnership. 31:23 — asked by Adam Rosendale — Ep. #226 - Mineral Site Placement and Predator Activity Special Memories of Fathers on Father’s Day

• Answer: Don says he has no update yet from the person considering the project, who remains busy with his own successful business. 31:36

Question: Ethan Jansen asked whether Don and Terry have found success hunting a pinch on the downwind side of bedding when the wind is out of the south. 22:53 — asked by Ethan Jansen — Episode #219 - The Most Important Aspect of Hunting Whitetails

• Answer: Don suggested the pinch might be too tight for a mature buck, recommending a roughly 20-yard-wide travel corridor instead of a narrow ten-foot gap. 24:03
• Answer: Don added that a south wind alone won’t shut down rut activity, though it may reduce daylight movement; hunters should still get at least night camera pictures. 25:24

Question: Chase Nicely asked what Don looks for in trail camera placement when trying to locate and pattern a specific target buck. 26:27 — asked by Chase Nicely — Episode #219 - The Most Important Aspect of Hunting Whitetails

• Answer: Don explained that what matters most is learning a target buck’s range and how much time he spends within a specific area, rather than pinpointing exact travel details. 27:37

Question: Ethan Jansen asks where to draw the line on not hunting a spot due to no shooter bucks on camera, and on trusting trail cameras too much. 53:55 — asked by Ethan Jansen — Episode 200 - Journey to 200

• Answer: Don says he won’t seriously hunt a spot unless he has firsthand confirmation, via photo or sighting, that a shooter buck is actually using the property. 54:10
• Answer: Terry says trail cameras are a vital management tool, though average hunters may over-rely on them since cameras can miss deer that are actually present. 55:58

Question: Terry asked Don to explain his social media post about a trail camera spooking a mature buck. 36:02 — Episode #187 - Do Trail Camera’s Spook Mature Bucks?

• Answer: Don explained that in his trail-camera photos, a buck looked directly at the camera and spooked, causing the whole group to flee. 37:23
• Answer: Don added that some bucks tolerate trail cameras repeatedly while others never do, since the camera signals danger to certain deer. 37:59

Question: Trevor asks how Don would use trail cameras to hunt a mature buck on new property with no prior year’s data. 56:55 — asked by Trevor Pomeroy — Episode #186 - Disappointing 2023 Buck Forecast

• Answer: Don says without prior data you’d use cameras like most people do, acting on the intel as you get it. 57:07
• Answer: Don adds that missing the buck the first season sets you up with a big advantage the following year once you have that data. 57:33

Question: Zach Zimmerman also asked how sensitive Don is about wind direction when pulling SD cards from his trail cameras. 41:49 — asked by Zach Zimmerman — Episode #185 - Bucks are starting to shift - Fall Plots, GET THEM IN

• Answer: Don says he becomes much more cautious about camera checks as hunting season nears. 46:24
• Answer: He prefers checking cameras on windy days since blowing vegetation and noise help mask his approach. 46:51

Question: Steve Sheber asked whether Don creates scrape trees near his stand or blind, what design he’d use, whether he’d put a trail camera on them, and if cellular cameras help. 49:01 — asked by Steve Sheber — Episode 184 - the new G Series no till drill from PH Outdoors.

• Answer: Don said cut scrape trees work somewhat, but he prefers Wes Delks’ approach of planting live shingle oaks near stands since bucks scrape under them without needing replacement. 50:05
• Answer: Don said he prefers keeping trail cameras away from stand sites since mature bucks often avoid walking in front of a camera, and less intrusion works better there. 52:29

Question: Keith Martin asks whether Don deliberately keeps trail cameras low to the ground and if it matters if deer notice the camera light. 48:08 — asked by Keith Martin — Episode 178 - The Bucks and The Corn are Growing Fast

• Answer: Don explains camera height varies by situation, but he tries to position cameras so deer aren’t looking straight at the lens at eye level. 48:50

Question: Terry asked how to build a trail camera site as deliberately as a stand site, given how deer are funneled through certain travel routes on Don’s farm. 22:28 — Episode #176 - Don’s Advice for Battery High Prices

• Answer: Don said the key is forcing deer through a restricted travel area with fewer route options rather than a broad zone with multiple trails, which reduces cameras needed. 22:41

Question: If trail cameras had never existed, how and when would you scout for a mature buck and go about hunting him? 31:00 — asked by Lone Fry — Episode #172 - Don is really worried about EHD in 2023

• Answer: Don says before trail cameras he scouted heavily after season for shed antlers and big rubs, then spent summer evenings glassing back roads and secluded soybean and alfalfa fields for bachelor groups. 33:10

Question: Lyle Bontrager asks whether previous years’ trail camera history or current in-season data matters most for patterning and killing mature bucks. 37:10 — asked by Lyle Bontrager — Episode #171 - Take What a Property Gives You!

• Answer: Don says previous years’ trail camera history is more valuable than current-season data, since current photos are already outdated by the time hunters see them. 37:32

Question: An audience member asked for advice after having trail cameras stolen off his own property. 64:16 — Episode 159 - Captive Deer Breeding… Why Don Got Out

• Answer: Don suggested hanging an obvious camera while hiding a second camera nearby to catch the thief. 64:26

Question: Billy Ayers also asks if Don has seen bucks rub-urinating and pawing at scrapes as late as February, even with antlers still on. 40:07 — asked by Billy Ayers — Episode #158 - Is Hunting Contests Hurting the Hunting Industry?

• Answer: Don says he has seen scrape activity in nearly every month, including February multiple times, especially at community scrapes. 42:13

Question: Terry asks Don to explain his tip about leaving cards in trail cameras until checking them at home. 11:13 — Episode #156 - Looking for a Buck Bed…

• Answer: Don explains he leaves the card inside each camera and brings the whole unit home to test it, so he can pinpoint which camera has an issue rather than mixing up cards in the field. 12:46

Question: An audience member asked the best way to age a buck off a trail camera picture. 11:27 — Chasing Giants #155 - Hilarious Episode Live from Middlefield, OH

• Answer: Don said there is no way to accurately age a buck from a trail camera picture alone. 11:32

Question: The listener also asks how Don decides exactly where to set up a trail camera when he finds a small out-of-the-way patch of cover. 41:06 — Episode #154 - Dogs Running Loose on Don’s Farm. HE IS NOT HAPPY!

• Answer: Don says the key to camera placement is figuring out exactly where a buck enters and exits that pocket of cover. 43:54

Question: Matthew Montag asks whether they recommend trail camera maintenance in late winter/spring to prevent moisture damage. 47:28 — asked by Matthew Montag — Episode #153 - What Should Buck Doe Ratio Be?

• Answer: Don leaves the SD card in each camera when pulling it, bringing the whole camera inside so he can trace any problem card back to its camera. 48:19
• Answer: Terry recommends removing battery trays and batteries and letting cameras dry completely inside to prevent corrosion. 50:30

Question: Steve Myers from Terre Haute, Indiana asks what rationale Don uses to pick sites for cellular trail cameras versus card-read cameras. 47:46 — asked by Steve Myers from Terre Haute, Indiana — Episode #152 - Are Trade Shows Dying?

• Answer: Don explains he uses trail cams mainly to know when a buck is on a property, not to time a specific stand. 48:05
• Answer: Don says the deciding factor for choosing a cellular camera is mainly a property’s distance from his home. 48:29

Question: Clint Cross asks how Don is placing trail cameras this time of year—only on food sources, on travel trails, or another approach. 59:05 — asked by Clint Cross — Episode #146 - Late Season Decisions and Tactics

• Answer: Don explains that for a new property this time of year, he’d key trail cameras on food sources since deer will use them the rest of winter. 59:35
• Answer: Terry adds that trail camera locations, like stand locations, can be developed and refined over time, not just placed once. 61:00

Question: Brian Byers asks how Don and Terry handle trail camera time stamps that don’t auto-adjust for daylight saving time while minimizing intrusion. 46:57 — asked by Brian Byers — Chasing Giants Podcast #141 - Scrapes are hot… So is the weather!

• Answer: Don says Reconyx’s newer HyperFire trail cameras now automatically adjust for daylight saving time, so that’s no longer an issue. 47:35
• Answer: Don says the exact hour on a photo doesn’t matter much to him — what matters is the date being correct, since deer patterns repeat by date, not by the minute. 48:18

Question: Terry asked Don how many more trail cameras he still had to move to be ready for the fall shift, and roughly how far along he was. 17:52 — Episode #134 - Bobby Worthington talks Buck Forecast Part 3

• Answer: Don said he still has cameras to put up at his newly purchased Ohio farm, where he plans a food plot, and has no exact count of remaining cameras. 18:28

Question: Terry asks Mark Lester how many states he is running trail cameras or scouting in this season. 44:50 — Episode #133 - Special Guest Mark Luster - Buck Forecast Part 2

• Answer: Mark Lester says he is currently monitoring deer in Kentucky, Illinois, and Iowa. 45:10

Question: Terry asked how to tell from trail-camera photos whether a buck’s antler tine tips indicate the antlers are done growing or still have more to go. 65:23 — Episode #127 When to Plant Fall Food Plots?

• Answer: Don said pointed, sharp tine tips mean growth is essentially finished, while rounded, dark tips mean the antlers still have considerable growing to do. 65:35

Question: Ron Eddinger asks whether a buck with split brow tines on one side last year could be the same buck now showing split brow tines on the opposite side. 44:01 — asked by Ron Eddinger — Episode #126 - Should we have deer hunting competitions?

• Answer: Don says it’s fairly common for an antler trait to appear on one side one year and switch to the opposite side the next, so it could well be the same buck. 44:34

Question: Terry asks Don how many Energizer lithium batteries he stockpiled before the season started. 2:18 — Episode #123 - How much does Don spend on batteries for trail cameras?

• Answer: Don says he ordered over $800 in batteries a few months prior and spends roughly $1,500 to $2,000 a year on batteries and camera running costs alone. 2:52

Question: Ryan Norton asks whether Reconyx, once frustrated Don with poor customer support, is now standing behind their product since he now sells them. 31:25 — asked by Ryan Norton — Episode #123 - How much does Don spend on batteries for trail cameras?

• Answer: Don explains he was upset with Reconyx because he had sent them dozens of emails about a product issue that went unanswered. 36:31
• Answer: Don says that after listeners told Reconyx about his complaints, the company now treats him noticeably better than before. 36:45
• Answer: Don claims he’s likely in the top 1% of all Reconyx dealers based on how many cameras he sells. 38:47
• Answer: Terry notes they’ve never received sponsorship from Reconyx, which may explain the harsh comments they made about the company. 37:29

Question: Ennis Miller asks the hosts to finally explain the running joke about the ‘king buck.’ 37:36 — asked by Ennis Miller — Episode #122 - Extreme Heat Really Hurts the Doe and Fawns!

• Answer: Terry recounts a seminar speaker’s claim that a buck photographed with a leg raised can’t be the area’s dominant deer, since a true dominant buck would never expose itself to a camera. 48:59

Question: Austin Williams asks whether the ‘same time, same place’ theory applies to bucks reappearing biannually as crops rotate on his farm. 34:53 — asked by Austin Williams — Chasing Giants Episode 121 - Residual Herbicide Discussion & Don is Buying a Farm

• Answer: Don advises tracking whichever crop type a buck was photographed in, then moving cameras to the nearest field with that same crop when rotation changes. 36:20

Question: Jesse Decker asks how to differentiate an abnormally large two-year-old buck from an average three-year-old, since body shape is hard to judge. 60:18 — asked by Jesse Decker — Episode #119 - Memorial Day Tribute and Aging Bucks on Trail Cam Pics

• Answer: Don says reliably distinguishing a big two-year-old from an average three-year-old is impossible, citing skeptics who doubted his buck Mel’s age. 61:00
• Answer: Terry says the key is looking for commonalities across annual trail camera data over multiple years. 61:23
• Answer: Don explains that brow tine size and main beam shape rarely change year to year, making them reliable identifiers. 63:25
• Answer: Terry advises protecting young bucks with unusually wide frames regardless of age, since that frame has special potential. 65:20

Question: If Don set hunting laws, would he keep cell camera regulations the same or outlaw them during hunting season? 15:38 — asked by Ben Sweeney — Episode #116 - Broadhead Debate with Don Higgins and Joe Miles

• Answer: Don doesn’t think cell cams cost him mature bucks; he believes crossbow legalization has a much bigger impact than trail cameras in his area. 16:11
• Answer: Don says it isn’t his place to push his personal ethics about camera use onto everyone else. 16:41

Question: Are you still using a spreadsheet for camera locations, or are you pinning them on a map now? 2:23 — Episode #114 - FOOD PLOT SEASON IS HERE!!!!!

• Answer: Don says he still just uses a spreadsheet for his trail camera locations rather than pinning them on a map. 2:31

Question: How do you decide which bucks are worthy of harvest on new farms before you can build trail-camera history, or when a new buck moves in? 22:43 — asked by Easton McNeil — Episode #112 - Chasing Giants in the Big North Woods

• Answer: Don says if a buck looks mature with a rack worthy of his time he’ll shoot it, regardless of whether he later learns it was four or ten years old. 23:21
• Answer: Terry adds that on farms hunted for years, brand-new mature bucks rarely appear during the rut; most inventory can be traced back through prior photos. 23:59
• Answer: Don notes it’s extremely rare to gain permission on a brand-new property that already holds a true shooter buck. 24:33

Question: Clint from Southern Indiana asked what the best way is to find a giant buck, starting fresh without a home property. 20:16 — asked by Clint — Episode #110 - Double Episode live from Master Class - Al Foster gives great advise

• Answer: Don said finding giant bucks is 99% about trail cameras. 20:49

Question: Terry asked Joe Miles, who hunts all over the country, whether he has insights on finding big deer beyond trail cameras. 24:48 — Episode #110 - Double Episode live from Master Class - Al Foster gives great advise

• Answer: Joe Miles said there are only three ways to locate a big buck: a trail camera photo, seeing him in person, or human intelligence, calling the last the least reliable. 24:58

Question: An audience member asked how you can accurately tell a buck’s age just from a trail camera photo. 110:34 — Episode #110 - Double Episode live from Master Class - Al Foster gives great advise

• Answer: Don said he doesn’t believe a deer’s age can be judged from a photo alone, joking that whoever started QDMA’s ‘age this buck’ exercise needs their ears smacked. 111:05

Question: Luke Burrow asked about trail camera setups, timing, and tips to improve performance. 58:37 — asked by Luke Burrow — Episode #105 Live from Shipshewana, IN - 2 Episodes in One!

• Answer: Don said a mature buck will go far out of his way to walk through an open gate rather than jump a fence. 60:01
• Answer: Don called trail cameras the biggest game changer in his forty-plus years of deer hunting. 63:38
• Answer: Terry said handling cameras roughly, like tossing them in a backpack in the cold, would upset Steve Shields, stressing careful camera care. 64:07

Question: Mark Phillips from North City, Illinois asks how Don checks trail cameras regularly without causing human intrusion. 55:34 — asked by Mark Phillips — Episode #103 - Frost Seeding Tips and Tricks - NO SHORTCUTS!

• Answer: Don explains most of his trail cameras sit on easy-to-access field edges, minimizing intrusion into cover. 56:03
• Answer: For cameras placed deep in a property’s interior, he sets them right before season and doesn’t check them again until after season ends. 56:11

Question: Garrett asked how the hosts store and organize trail camera photos, what app they use, and how many photos to keep per deer. 55:57 — asked by Garrett — Episode #98 - Don’s Trophy Room, Stolen Gun, and New Title Sponsor

• Answer: Don said he uses Reconyx’s free BuckView software and saves photos organized by camera location. 56:17
• Answer: Don said for a target buck, save at least one photo from every camera-trigger series. 56:37

Question: A friend claims Don only shoots big bucks every year because he watches cell camera footage from his office and rushes out when a booner appears. 67:38 — asked by Richard Beachy — Episode #95 - Live from Guthrie, KY

• Answer: Don pushed back, saying if it were that easy everyone would have a wall full of booners, and people always find excuses for others’ success. 67:59

Question: Does Don use TactiCam Reveal cell cameras, and what does he think of them? 72:32 — Episode #95 - Live from Guthrie, KY

• Answer: Don said he’s never used TactiCam Reveal and has little faith in cheaper cameras, since you get what you pay for. 72:55

Question: What time of day and weather conditions does Don recommend for checking trail cameras? 104:47 — Episode #95 - Live from Guthrie, KY

• Answer: Don said he checks cameras in the middle of the day, ideally on windy days for extra noise cover. 104:55

Question: Brandon asked what time of year bucks move from their fall range onto their summer range. 46:08 — asked by Brandon Workman — Episode #93 - Don decides to take a break…

• Answer: Don said he found a bachelor group already on its summer range by around April 1, based on scouting bucks with just-emerging antler knobs. 47:06

Question: Kent Sawyer asks whether Don and Terry use picture or video mode on trail cameras, and if video spooks deer more. 63:13 — asked by Kent Sawyer — Episode #90 - November 7th - WHERE IS THE RUT

• Answer: Don keeps cameras on photo about 99% of the time, switching to video only when targeting a specific buck for a story. 63:42
• Answer: Terry says with card pulls yielding roughly 20,000 photos, it’s impossible to review that volume in video form. 64:45

Question: Don asks Terry for advice on a target buck that keeps showing up on trail camera about half an hour after dark. 22:02 — asked by Don — Episode #86 - 17,764 trail cam pics in 25 days - no bait or attractant

• Answer: Terry advises Don to wait for a cold weather front, saying the bucks should hopefully start moving a little earlier that evening. 22:25

Question: Terry asks whether moving cameras from summer field edges and inside corners to rut season means placing them on scrapes or in funnels. 15:24 — Episode #81 - TIPS FOR TRACKING YOUR DEER

• Answer: Don clarifies he doesn’t move every camera; some stay in place year-round. 15:44
• Answer: The cameras he does move go from field edges into funnel areas along confined travel corridors that bucks use once they start running during the rut. 16:22

Question: When do you start transitioning cameras from summer locations to fall scrapes and funnels? 39:52 — Episode #80 - Don’s 2021 Buck Forecast

• Answer: Don typically starts moving cameras to fall scrape and funnel locations around Labor Day weekend. 40:25

Question: Chris Chapman asked if trail cameras hinder hunting’s unknown-factor thrill, and whether Don or Terry would hunt an unfamiliar property without camera intel. 49:36 — asked by Chris Chapman — Episode #78 - People ask questions but do not like the answers!

• Answer: Don admits he misses the old unknown-factor thrill but still doesn’t want to give up his trail cameras. 52:22
• Answer: Don says while hunting new Iowa ground without camera history, the next buck he sees could easily be one he has no pictures of. 53:24
• Answer: Terry adds they still get excited by unknown bucks, but personally he’s more drawn to the land management side of hunting. 55:30

Question: Terry asks what advice Don has for hunters using trail camera photos to decide which buck to target as mature. 10:04 — asked by Terry — Episode #77 - Would you shoot this buck? Still looking for a shooter.

• Answer: Don says he judges maturity mainly by antler mass, since two- and three-year-olds lack mass but heavy-based antlers usually indicate four years or older. 10:18

Question: Mark Paris asks how summer trail camera placement should differ from in-season placement, given his neighbors feed deer nearby while he does not. 47:16 — asked by Mark Paris — Episode #74 Don denied access to hunt and more velvet talk (how does weather affect growth?)

• Answer: Don recommends placing summer cameras on mineral licks to inventory bucks without needing bait or corn. 47:57
• Answer: Don moves his cameras from summer feeding areas to fall funnels and rut travel routes as the season nears. 48:31
• Answer: Terry, who feeds year-round in Kentucky, keeps his cameras fixed on food sources and hanging scrapes all year without moving them. 49:54

Question: Chad Dial asks how to get summer velvet buck pictures with no soybean or green fields nearby, only corn and wheat. 40:32 — asked by Chad Dial — Episode #71 - Trail Cam Deployment, Giant Bucks of Social Media Misused, Raffle Closing Soon!

• Answer: Don recommends creating legal mineral sites on hunting properties since Ohio allows minerals even during hunting season. 41:29
• Answer: Don says two good mineral licks on 100 acres will get pictures of nearly every buck in the area throughout the summer. 42:36

Question: Reese Ealy asks when Don puts trail cameras out and why. 44:40 — asked by Reese Ealy — Episode #71 - Trail Cam Deployment, Giant Bucks of Social Media Misused, Raffle Closing Soon!

• Answer: Don waits until July 1 in Illinois before putting cameras out, unlike his early Iowa start where he lacks prior history. 45:25
• Answer: Don wants any single trail-camera picture of a mature buck to show enough antler development to judge the deer’s potential. 46:35

Question: Ryan Elenbaas asks how Don checks trail cameras without human intrusion, given Don’s view that intrusion is key to killing mature bucks. 44:15 — asked by Ryan Elenbaas — Episode #68 - Germination, Browse Pressure, When To Spray - DON PICKS IOWA UNIT…

• Answer: Don says edge cameras only need checking about once every sixty days, which keeps intrusion minimal as long as hunters stay out of the sanctuary. 47:53
• Answer: Terry adds that Don places cameras at travel pinches far from his stands, reachable by QuietKat or side-by-side without ever touching the ground. 49:09

Question: Terry asks what Don’s plans are between now and deploying trail cameras into velvet season. 5:57 — Episode #61 - Live from the Midwest Sportsman Show - TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM LIVE CROWD

• Answer: Don says he hung two new cell cameras this week to learn to use them before deploying more across the properties in July. 6:08

Question: Al Foster asks how Don catalogs and tracks bucks over time as they grow up, and when he starts focusing on hunting a specific one. 28:27 — asked by Al Foster — Episode #57 - Discussion about Ethics Continues as guest at the 2nd Master Class put Don on the spot with live questions.

• Answer: Don uses Reconyx BuckView software to organize trail camera photos, and doesn’t focus on a buck until it survives gun season at three and a half years old. 29:23

Question: Terry asks whether Don categorizes trail camera photos by location, by the individual buck, or both. 30:47 — asked by Terry — Episode #57 - Discussion about Ethics Continues as guest at the 2nd Master Class put Don on the spot with live questions.

• Answer: Don says he categorizes all his trail camera photos by location rather than by buck. 30:55

Question: Don asks Terry how he went about picking the cameras for this trail camera test. 1:45 — Episode #55 - 2020 Cell Camera Test - The Truth and probably some Hurt Feelings

• Answer: Terry says he identified cameras generating hype online that he had no prior personal experience with, so he could give unbiased feedback. 2:33

Question: Don asks what specific parameters Terry was testing, such as battery life, trigger speed, or missed photos. 10:22 — Episode #55 - 2020 Cell Camera Test - The Truth and probably some Hurt Feelings

• Answer: Terry says his early field testing focused simply on picture quality, since he couldn’t yet quantify battery life fairly across cameras and environments. 11:32

Question: Don asks whether Terry checked the SD card after his test to see how many pictures were never sent to his phone. 22:21 — Episode #55 - 2020 Cell Camera Test - The Truth and probably some Hurt Feelings

• Answer: Terry says no, explaining that relying on an SD card would defeat the purpose of paying a monthly fee for the cell camera’s data plan. 22:33

Question: Curtis Vance from Paxton, Illinois shares that a WiseEye owner personally called him and ended up charging only the card balance despite his offer to pay more. 18:38 — asked by Curtis Vance — Episode #43 - Making Good Stand Great, Broadhead Debate Update, How We Celebrate a Kill, and Customer Service

• Answer: Terry explains WiseEye and Exodus stand out among cell camera makers because their owners personally help customers rather than giving standard callback responses. 23:59
• Answer: Don says he must choose before next season between a camera brand with superior image quality and one run by people he prefers supporting, like WiseEye or Exodus. 25:55

Question: Patrick Taylor from Grenada, Mississippi asks why mature bucks that notice a trail camera often are never photographed there again. 59:56 — asked by Patrick Taylor — Episode #38 Terry Kills a Illinois 8 Pointer and Don gets wound up on some industry topics! REALLY WOUND UP!

• Answer: Don suggests hanging cameras about eight feet up using screw-in tree steps and angling them downward to keep them above a deer’s line of sight. 61:36

Question: Zach Hartnagel asked why daylight photos of target bucks increase after Halloween while nighttime photos of those same bucks seem to decrease. 35:09 — asked by Zach Hartnagel — Episode #36 Peak Rut Update, Warm Weather, maybe a little election and religion

• Answer: Don explained that bucks range further within their home range at night during the rut, so they’re simply less often in front of a given camera. 35:45
• Answer: Terry said he hadn’t personally observed that nighttime photo slowdown and thought there were too many variables to pin down a clear cause. 36:47

Question: Tony Schrader from La Crescent, Minnesota asked whether checking trail cameras for daylight buck movement contradicts only hunting best spots when conditions are right. 48:53 — asked by Tony Schrader — Episode #35 - Don shoots his 3rd 200”+ Buck - The story of Mel - A 220” World Class Whitetail

• Answer: Don said he avoids placing trail cameras close to stand sites, using them instead for general inventory purposes regardless of whether photos come at night or during the day. 49:34

Question: Kevin Thayer privately messaged Don asking whether bucks avoiding trail cameras is a learned behavior. 29:05 — asked by Kevin Thayer — Episode #29 - Don previews some HIT LIST and UP-AND-COMER bucks while Terry is chasing a good buck in KY

• Answer: Don thinks it’s mostly individual buck personality, with some deer possibly associating cameras with humans, but attributes much of it to scent left behind. 29:38
• Answer: Terry adds that impatient hunters who check cameras too often end up educating bucks through repeated human intrusion. 30:19

Question: Joseph Jansen asks if mature five-plus-year-old bucks avoid areas once they spot a trail camera, and if Don has seen one avoid a camera. 60:05 — asked by Joseph Jansen — Episode #28 - Don’s Buck Forecast and Terry defends Rednecks using zip ties

• Answer: Don confirms mature bucks can and do avoid trail cameras, though not every buck reacts that way. 60:54

Question: Terry asks what techniques increase the odds of getting a picture of the toughest buck to pattern. 62:25 — Episode #28 - Don’s Buck Forecast and Terry defends Rednecks using zip ties

• Answer: Don advises positioning the camera to the side of the trail for a broadside shot rather than facing the deer head-on, making it less likely to be noticed. 62:49

Question: Terry asked Don what specific traits make him save a photo of a young buck rather than discard it during a card pull. 3:49 — Episode #25 - Don and Terry give an update on their hunting spots and discuss getting into the hunting industry.

• Answer: Don said a young buck’s photo only gets saved if it’s exceptional for its age class, and he rarely saves yearling buck photos at all. 4:17

Question: Terry asks whether Don is putting a few trail cameras out earlier than usual this year because of his camera test. 6:47 — asked by Terry — Episode #22 - Special Contest Winner Bryan Medinger and Don has big announcement

• Answer: Don explains the test cameras are only on his home farm and areas away from his stands with heavy nighttime deer traffic, not near mature-buck spots. 7:05

Question: Bryan asks whether Don has a favorite trail camera placement, like pinch points or over food plots. 22:57 — asked by Bryan Medinger — Episode #22 - Special Contest Winner Bryan Medinger and Don has big announcement

• Answer: Don says he favors pinch points such as gaps in old fences where deer funnel through as prime camera locations. 23:09

Question: An audience member asked if Don knew Trump was there because of trail camera photos. 25:04 — Episode #17 - Live from Don Higgins first Master Class of 2020

• Answer: Don explained he’d tracked the buck the prior year after it exploded in antler growth, gaining roughly thirty to thirty-five inches over its previous size. 25:10

Question: An audience member asked how Don balances going in enough to learn a big buck’s pattern without going in so much he bumps or changes it. 30:55 — Episode #17 - Live from Don Higgins first Master Class of 2020

• Answer: Don said most hunters are a step behind their target buck; he uses prior years’ trail camera data to be a step ahead and wait on the buck instead. 32:00

Question: Terry asks Don whether, while scouting other properties, he’s shifting trail cameras back to food sources or leaving them on scrapes. 10:27 — Episode #10 - December Tips - Scouting for 2020 - Big Announcement from Real World

• Answer: Don explains he’s shifting his cameras from scrape locations to well-used trails leading to prime food sources. 10:37
• Answer: Don adds that his cameras are placed not on the food source itself but on major trails leading to it, since food is his focus. 11:03

Question: Terry asks Don what he has been up to outside of Thanksgiving, teasing they’ll get to the buck he shot. 3:20 — Episode #9 - Terry shoots his second buck of the year and Don scouts for 2020 Season

• Answer: Don says the day after Thanksgiving he checked trail cameras on five different properties. 3:33

Question: Terry asks Don what activity and trail camera trends he’s seeing as opening week approaches. 18:39 — Episode 1 - New Show Introduction and Don’s Unique Goal For 2019

• Answer: Don says he runs about 50 trail cameras across 20 to 25 properties in five or six Central Illinois counties to track mature bucks. 18:54

Archery Gear

Question: Damon Marley asks why Don switched from a recurve to a compound bow instead of staying with instinctive shooting. 13:00 — Chasing Giants LIVE at the Midwest Sportsmen’s Classic | Shipshewana, IN | Presented by FAE

• Answer: Don explains he shoots a compound far more accurately than a recurve even inside 20 yards, which is why he switched. 13:21

Question: Do crossbow hunters have a bigger advantage than hunters using trail cameras and cell cameras to watch deer movement? 46:44 — asked by Ben Byler — Texas Hunt, Brutal Cold, Late Rut Behavior & Winter Habitat Decisions | Chasing Giants Podcast #309

• Answer: Don says legalized crossbows made Illinois bow hunters far more proficient, spiking archery harvest above gun harvest. 47:25
• Answer: Don concludes objectively that crossbows have had a far bigger impact on deer harvest than trail or cell cameras ever have. 49:23
• Answer: Terry admits from personal experience that using a crossbow made hunting easier and would have grown his trophy room. 51:12

Question: Adrian Nestle asked why Don dislikes expandable broadheads if shots are close, since a bigger hole would make the deer die faster. 43:44 — asked by Adrian Nestle — The Magic of Late October | Cold Fronts, Big Bucks & Character in the Woods | Chasing Giants #295

• Answer: Don said expandables can leave a bigger hole on a perfect hit but perform poorly on shoulder hits, citing his buck Mel as an example. 44:27

Question: Is there a buck Don regrets shooting, and what’s the story behind it? 21:06 — #292 - Public Land Busts, Big Timber Dreams, & Target Bucks

• Answer: Don says the mistaken-identity buck taught him a lasting lesson, and he’s been extremely picky about what he shoots ever since. 26:27

Question: Amber asks for advice overcoming buck fever that hits before she even draws her bow. 36:38 — Episode #263 - Live from the Iowa Deer Classic

• Answer: Don advises getting deer as close as possible, since shorter distances shrink the margin for error from nerves or misjudged range. 37:36

Question: Dell Hoover asked whether Don has ever tried hunting over a deer decoy to draw a buck closer or if it’s simply not part of his approach. 47:23 — asked by Dell Hoover — Episode 238 - 2024 Buck Forecast - MORE GIANTS SHOT THIS YEAR

• Answer: Don said he has only used a decoy once, killing a young buck with a recurve, but has otherwise seen decoys spook far more Illinois bucks than they ever attracted. 48:37

Question: Drake Evans asked whether shot placement is the most important, often-overlooked skill for consistently killing mature bucks. 31:11 — asked by Drake Evans — Episode #218 -Spring Food Plots - Is it time to plant?

• Answer: Don says if a deer is within fifteen to twenty yards, there’s no excuse for missing the shot. 33:21

Question: Given his limited access and opportunities, does Don still think it’s wrong for him to hunt with a crossbow? 68:28 — asked by Matt Kendall — Ep# 205 - Don shares trail camera pictures from 2023

• Answer: Don clarifies he believes crossbows should be legal but shouldn’t be allowed during archery season for able-bodied hunters — that’s just his opinion. 69:03

Question: Would you draw on a target buck near an unaware doe, risking her spooking and ruining the shot? 34:59 — asked by Travis McMurray — Episode #191 - Babe Out In Daylight - Giant Corn Yields for Food Plotters

• Answer: Don says he would absolutely have tried to draw on the target buck despite the risk. 35:05

Question: Garrett asks whether allowing straight-wall rifles in Illinois firearms season will make hunting too easy, like crossbows did. 58:51 — asked by Garrett Rollins — Episode #186 - Disappointing 2023 Buck Forecast

• Answer: Don says no, rifles won’t have nearly the impact crossbows had on archery season. 58:59
• Answer: Don explains the crossbow, unlike rifles, brought an army of gun hunters into the long archery season with a far more effective weapon. 59:42

Question: Parker Redicker asks if Don would switch to a crossbow if guaranteed to kill bigger bucks than with his compound. 42:07 — Episode #179 - Is Antler Growth Behind This Year?

• Answer: Don says he’d stick with his compound bow because how he kills a deer matters more to him than the buck’s size. 44:26

Question: If Don could lobby for one change to Illinois’s deer hunting regulations, what would it be? 43:49 — asked by Jesse Fromm — Chasing Giants Podcast #145 - Bully Bucks and Big Rubs!

• Answer: Don would require every hunter to choose either bow or gun for the season, not both. 45:14
• Answer: Don says this rule would effectively eliminate crossbows from archery season since crossbow users would just pick firearm season. 45:31

Question: Ed Foley asks for advice on tracking and recovering a hit deer after the shot, especially when blood trails are sparse. 55:09 — asked by Ed Foley — Episode #129 - Lessons Learned from a GIANT TYPICAL - Story you haven’t heard!

• Answer: Don advises always waiting at least an hour, or even several hours, before trailing a deer to avoid bumping it out of its first bed. 57:31
• Answer: Don calls Ron’s tracking dog Dio an absolute legend in the deer tracking business. 59:18

Question: Randall Barr asks Don to clarify whether he’d let a grandson hunt with a crossbow if not yet strong enough to draw a compound bow. 76:51 — asked by Randall Barr — Episode #119 - Memorial Day Tribute and Aging Bucks on Trail Cam Pics

• Answer: Don answers that while it’s the parents’ decision, he personally would not allow a child under his control to use a crossbow. 77:42
• Answer: Don argues easing entry requirements has raised killmongers rather than true outdoorsmen who understand real hunting. 77:59
• Answer: Terry pushes back that what someone wants from hunting depends on their own goals, not a fixed definition of success. 83:01
• Answer: Terry criticizes crossbow-on-tripod-with-iPhone-scope setups as training kids to play a video game rather than truly hunt. 83:35
• Answer: Don clarifies he isn’t against crossbows for handicapped hunters, only their use by able-bodied hunters during archery season. 89:01

Question: Have you ever had a target buck pegged, missed the shot, and gotten another chance at him? 43:37 — asked by Jesse Vandenberg — Episode #114 - FOOD PLOT SEASON IS HERE!!!!!

• Answer: Don says one buck, later called the cedar house buck, still haunts him after all his years of hunting. 43:54
• Answer: Don shot the giant buck at 20 yards at dusk and believed he had made a fatal hit, but the deer ran into the brush. 48:47
• Answer: Examining the recovered arrow showed the deer wasn’t hurt, and that missed giant buck still haunts Don to this day. 49:57

Question: Why would Don do a broadhead debate with Joe Miles if he already agrees with Don’s mechanical broadhead concerns? 51:01 — asked by John Peterson — Episode #114 - FOOD PLOT SEASON IS HERE!!!!!

• Answer: Don says he respects Joe Miles as a friend despite their opposite opinions on broadheads. 52:13
• Answer: Don says his only motive is helping hunters avoid wounding and losing deer, since he has no broadhead sponsor. 52:44
• Answer: Don believes mechanical broadheads are a failure waiting to happen, which is the core of the planned debate. 52:50

Question: Ron Eddinger asked what fixed broadhead Don uses, after learning why the podcast dislikes expandable broadheads. 36:14 — asked by Ron Eddinger — Episode #96 - STAY OUT OF THE SANCTUARY!

• Answer: Don said he currently uses Slick Trick Magnum 125-grain fixed broadheads, the biggest model made, and is happy with their flight and blood trail, though not sponsored by them. 36:51

Question: If fixed-blade broadheads were outlawed, would Don keep hunting with mechanical broadheads or quit? 90:12 — Episode #95 - Live from Guthrie, KY

• Answer: Don said he’d probably have to quit hunting rather than use mechanical broadheads. 90:41

Question: Neil Putnam asks how Don fits in practice shooting time, his regimen for staying in control on a shot at a trophy deer, and how many arrows he shoots. 61:49 — asked by Neil Putnam — Episode #81 - TIPS FOR TRACKING YOUR DEER

• Answer: Don says he doesn’t track arrow speed and instead focuses only on placing the broadhead exactly where he wants it at 20 yards. 63:51
• Answer: Once he resumes practice, Don plans to shoot roughly 20 arrows every other day until the season opens. 62:48

Question: A listener asks if a water hole along a travel corridor makes a good bow stand setup for cruising bucks. 38:57 — Episode #61 - Live from the Midwest Sportsman Show - TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM LIVE CROWD

• Answer: Don says water holes have their place but are generally over-hyped. 39:34
• Answer: Don recalls a buck panting from heat near his stand and says a water hole would be fantastic during unseasonably warm falls. 39:57

Question: Linden Derstein asked whether patiently waiting for a perfect low-risk shot, more than broadhead type, is the real key to Don’s success. 43:53 — asked by Linden Derstein — Episode #59 - Habitat Projects like Water Holes, Food in Bedding, Structure in Bedding along with other topics

• Answer: Don agrees shot selection is critical, but argues that since a hunter will eventually not hit exactly where expected, a mechanical broadhead is far inferior to a fixed blade. 44:22

Question: Eric, a first-year hunter from Northern Illinois, asked about arrow and broadhead setup after getting poor penetration with a light mechanical setup. 50:46 — asked by Eric — Episode #58 - Burning Native Grass Tips and Great Questions from 3rd Master Class

• Answer: Don said heavier arrows fly better, are more forgiving, and penetrate deeper than light setups. 52:22
• Answer: Don also keeps his shots short, rarely over 30 yards and usually under 20, to ensure clean kills. 53:40

Question: Eric followed up asking whether Terry pays attention to overall arrow weight or front-loads weight to improve penetration. 59:52 — Episode #58 - Burning Native Grass Tips and Great Questions from 3rd Master Class

• Answer: Terry recommended working with a local archery shop to test different arrow setups for penetration rather than guessing online. 61:05

Question: Now that Don’s killed a 200-inch buck from a barn and a tree stand, is it time to try a love swing and mechanical broadhead crossbow? 59:19 — Episode #46 Dual Bolt Crossbow Opinions and New Products from Real World

• Answer: Don jokingly replies he will never hunt from a love swing or use a mechanical broadhead, though he can’t fully rule out a crossbow. 59:39

Question: Thomas asks for guidance on arrow selection, fletching, and weight for best penetration and more ethical kills. 44:17 — asked by Thomas — Episode #45 - Lessons Learned from Captive Research Deer

• Answer: Don says he strongly prefers heavier arrows with cut-on-contact fixed blade broadheads. 44:47
• Answer: Don emphasizes that making clean, ethical shots on every animal matters more than chasing speed or arrow specs. 45:37
• Answer: Don adds his own max range is 30 yards, though almost every deer he shoots is 20 yards or closer. 45:59

Question: Calvin Hurley asks Don why he prefers fixed-blade broadheads over mechanical ones. 48:54 — Episode #37 - Understanding the Rut, Aerial Photos of Property, Bad Shot Angles and Broadheads Types

• Answer: Don says mechanical heads are an opportunity for failure, while fixed blades have far less chance of failing. 49:02
• Answer: Don adds that mechanical broadheads are simply an unnecessary chance for something to go wrong. 50:00
• Answer: Terry agrees that a fixed-blade broadhead is better out of a compound bow, though he uses mechanicals on his crossbow. 51:14

Gear & Equipment

Question: Jeff Sanil from Breeze, Illinois asked for a deer repellent recommendation to avoid putting up a fence. 28:36 — asked by Jeff Sanil — The Biggest Mistake Food Plotters Make in June | Chasing Giants #328

• Answer: Don said he and Terry are testing deer repellents, including one this week and another developed by a chemical-business consulting client. 29:14

Question: Nate from Byron, Minnesota asked whether to buy a tractor or a Ranger Can Am for his 40-acre property. 54:34 — asked by Nate — Episode #278 - Are Deer Getting Smaller?

• Answer: Don says without hesitation he would buy a tractor over a side-by-side. 55:09
• Answer: Don recommends buying the biggest tractor affordable, at minimum a 50-horsepower model. 56:12
• Answer: Terry agrees a 50-horsepower tractor is the sweet spot for doing real work while staying towable. 56:33
• Answer: Don reiterates he would not buy anything smaller than a 50-horsepower tractor as a sole tractor. 57:43

Question: Terry asks Don what drives him to keep testing new products instead of sticking with what already works, and whether it’s pride. 11:41 — Episode #273 - Clover Maintenance and Spring Planting

• Answer: Don says he wants to be certain Real World is selling the best products, and if something better exists he wants to know it. 11:54

Question: Terry asks Steve Shields how he handled a camera malfunction during the turkey hunt and what it ultimately means. 24:57 — asked by Terry — Episode #216 - Don Shoots His First Turkey - Friends Episode

• Answer: Steve Shields recounts that his main camera shut off just as the tom stepped into the clear during Don’s turkey hunt. 26:04
• Answer: Steve later diagnosed the failure as a dead dummy battery in the external battery pack powering his cameras. 27:40

Question: Levi Yoder asks why Don chose to shoot an older bow instead of his new Mathews bow in a recent photo with Babe. 34:41 — Episode #194 - 2nd Target Buck Harvested by Special Guest

• Answer: Don explained that his new Mathews bow was actually a year old, given to him early, and that he doesn’t sell such gifted bows but donates the old one to charity instead. 36:14
• Answer: Facing a shipping delay, Don grabbed his old bow just days before season and started shooting it again to make sure it was still accurate. 36:53
• Answer: Don believes hunters owe it to the game to be as proficient as possible with their weapon rather than learning a new bow mid-season. 39:22

Unofficial fan project. AI-synthesized from public episodes; may contain errors.