Habitat & Food Plots — Listener Q&A

Questions 414–556 of 556 in this category (page 5 of 5). ← previous · All listener questions

Trees & Timber

Question: Terry asked how to navigate spraying Mike’s Mighty Micros on fruit trees through spring and summer. 13:46 — Grow Bigger Food Plots, Gardens & Fruit Trees – Mike Mitchell Breaks It Down | Chasing Giants #324

• Answer: Mike explained he doesn’t spray Mike’s Mighty Micros on apple trees until bloom petals fall and apples have formed. 13:58

Question: Terry asked whether the micros absorb through green leaves and stop once leaves dry up. 15:28 — Grow Bigger Food Plots, Gardens & Fruit Trees – Mike Mitchell Breaks It Down | Chasing Giants #324

• Answer: Mike confirmed absorption stops once leaves change color, usually around October. 15:39

Question: Terry asked whether wildlife orchard owners should wait for bloom petals to fall before spraying, then spray every mowing. 15:49 — Grow Bigger Food Plots, Gardens & Fruit Trees – Mike Mitchell Breaks It Down | Chasing Giants #324

• Answer: Mike said not to spray wildlife orchard trees more than about once a week to ten days, with every two weeks being ideal. 16:05

Question: Terry asked whether Mike’s Mighty Micros should be applied with a fine mist sprayer. 16:20 — Grow Bigger Food Plots, Gardens & Fruit Trees – Mike Mitchell Breaks It Down | Chasing Giants #324

• Answer: Mike advised spraying until the mix runs off the leaf, ideally in the evening or morning when the leaf stays wet longer for better absorption. 16:44

Question: Terry asked what Mike recommends for trimming young fruit trees before they’re strong enough to bear fruit. 43:07 — Grow Bigger Food Plots, Gardens & Fruit Trees – Mike Mitchell Breaks It Down | Chasing Giants #324

• Answer: Mike said he cuts young trees low to establish starter limbs, then saves three to five main limbs on each side of the trunk. 43:43

Question: Terry asked what to do with a first-year fruit tree that’s blooming — grow apples or remove the blooms? 46:03 — Grow Bigger Food Plots, Gardens & Fruit Trees – Mike Mitchell Breaks It Down | Chasing Giants #324

• Answer: Mike said he would cut off every limb bearing bloom or apple on a first-year tree, letting it restart growth. 46:13

Question: Terry asked how many years growers should remove blooms before letting a young tree bear fruit. 47:08 — Grow Bigger Food Plots, Gardens & Fruit Trees – Mike Mitchell Breaks It Down | Chasing Giants #324

• Answer: Mike said trees planted using Brian’s method are typically big enough to let crop at three years old. 47:18

Question: A listener asks whether Don prunes the lower branches off his apple trees and how high off the ground the first branch is left. 33:07 — asked by Russell Morris — Don Shares Personal News + The #1 Mistake Hunters Make | Chasing Giants Podcast 322

• Answer: Don said he prunes the bottom branches on his apple trees, leaving the first branch roughly two and a half to three feet off the ground. 33:26

Question: An anonymous listener asks whether logging-created stagnant water holes that drew away his mature bucks are creating a self-inflicted disaster for his buck herd. 50:30 — Don Higgins Breaks Down His Favorite Properties of 2026 - Chasing Giants #320

• Answer: Don says if EHD is going to hit an area it will, and while controlling water sources may help some, it likely can’t be fully stopped. 50:58

Question: Terry asks whether it’s typical to go back in and finish a TSI after a logger leaves smaller trees behind during a harvest. 4:46 — Cut More Trees! How Aggressive TSI Creates Better Deer Habitat

• Answer: Don says he wants mature timber harvested first, then comes in after the logger to do the TSI cut, leaving the nicer smaller oaks and walnuts, doing both steps. 4:56

Question: Houston Gregory asked when to start spraying fruit trees with Mike’s Mighty Micros and whether to spray year-round. 45:34 — asked by Houston Gregory — Permission Properties, Scrape Magnet Explained, and Our Health Journeys | Chasing Giants Ep. 315

• Answer: Don advises waiting to spray fruit trees until after the buds and blooms have set, since spraying during bloom introduces moisture that causes blight. 46:04

Question: Terry asked Don what triggers the need to re-address a clear-cut area once invasive saplings regrow into an impassable jungle. 11:40 — Snow, Sheds & Sorghum: Late-Season Deer Survival | Chasing Giants #311

• Answer: Don recommended using an FAE mulcher to reset overgrown clear-cut regrowth, noting it typically only needs to be done about once every five years. 12:50

Question: What is the best time to TSI your property for optimal results next season? 17:47 — LIVE at 360 Blinds: No Script, No Filters — Just Real Questions | Chasing Giants 308

• Answer: Do TSI right now, before spring green-up, so sunlight hits the ground and stimulates new woody vegetation, weeds, and briars. 17:59

Question: What is Don’s philosophy on hinge cutting, where it’s good or bad, especially for creating bedding areas? 18:29 — LIVE at 360 Blinds: No Script, No Filters — Just Real Questions | Chasing Giants 308

• Answer: Don isn’t a fan of hinge cutting; if a tree is worthless enough to hinge cut, he’d rather cut it off entirely and let something better grow. 18:49

Question: In hill country, would you use hinge cutting to funnel deer along a ridge without creating bedding? 20:09 — LIVE at 360 Blinds: No Script, No Filters — Just Real Questions | Chasing Giants 308

• Answer: Yes; create a travel corridor down the ridge and cluster bedding cover at the point where the ridge breaks into a bottom, using fallen or hinge-cut trees. 20:39

Question: Do you prescribe fire before doing TSI? 50:44 — LIVE at 360 Blinds: No Script, No Filters — Just Real Questions | Chasing Giants 308

• Answer: Don isn’t a fan of fire in the woods since it can cut down the understory cover. 50:57

Question: Josh asks for advice on using black plastic drain tile versus spiral wraps to protect apple tree trunks. 41:50 — asked by Josh — Most Hunters Get This Wrong | The Hard Truth About Killing Mature Bucks | Chasing Giants #307

• Answer: Don recommends using both the spiral wrap and plastic tube — the wrap fits snug against the trunk to keep mice from nesting and girdling it, which can happen with only the wider tube. 42:23

Question: Cody Steutzman asks Don’s thoughts on logging a property and how long to wait afterward before starting a deer management plan. 58:16 — asked by Cody Steutzman — Episode 303 – Late-Season Deer Movement, Winter Food Strategy & The Future of Big Bucks

• Answer: Don advises that landowners doing a timber harvest for deer management often shouldn’t cut the entire property at once, but stagger sections over years to maintain quality habitat. 58:46

Question: Greg Schroeder asked whether Steven the mailman is still delivering Don’s mail flawlessly, since he hadn’t heard mention of him lately. 28:39 — asked by Greg Schroeder — #294 From Old School to High Tech: Don Higgins Reflects on 40 Years in the Deer Woods

• Answer: Don said Steven stopped delivering mail about a year ago and, with their encouragement, started his own fencing business instead. 29:01

Question: Jason Hesselberg asked whether his mature bucks will return to his property once ongoing logging finishes, or relocate elsewhere permanently. 43:33 — asked by Jason Hesselberg — #294 From Old School to High Tech: Don Higgins Reflects on 40 Years in the Deer Woods

• Answer: Don said mature bucks rarely relocate outside their home range; they may just shift to using a different part of it due to disturbance. 43:41

Question: Richard Smith asks whether burying whole pears to grow pear trees is viable, or if he should start seeds in pots or just buy started trees. 41:43 — asked by Richard Smith — Chasing Giants Ep. 291 | Don’s Public Land Quest & the “Turning Point” Buck Story

• Answer: Don says it’s far better to buy and cage one quality pear tree than to plant seeds or whole pears, based on his own negative seed-growing experience. 43:23

Question: What are the tree/shrub planting recommendations after a timber harvest? 10:09 — #279 - Live Hot Seat! Don Higgins Faces Tough Questions from Dealers | 2025 RWWP Summit

• Answer: Don says it depends on the site; if desirable hardwoods like white oak and walnut existed before, young trees likely remain, but if junk species dominated he plants potted better-species trees to fill gaps. 10:33

Question: What would cause an animal to dig up freshly planted fruit trees treated with Quantum Soil Nutrient at the roots? 43:09 — #279 - Live Hot Seat! Don Higgins Faces Tough Questions from Dealers | 2025 RWWP Summit

• Answer: Don had the same issue with his own apple trees, suspects groundhogs, and guesses the loosened, amended soil was simply easier to dig. 43:26

Question: Terry asks whether adding four T-posts around the tree cage fence would stop the doe from pushing her head through. 2:26 — Episode #273 - Clover Maintenance and Spring Planting

• Answer: Don agrees he’ll likely add T-posts or switch to fencing with smaller squares to keep the doe out. 2:31

Question: Terry asks Don when he tubes a tree versus when he cages a tree. 28:36 — Episode #266 Making a Good Stand a Great Stand

• Answer: Don tubes trees with a long mature trunk, like persimmon or oak, since tubing trains them not to branch until they clear the tube. 28:42
• Answer: Don cages trees with a low branching structure, like apple trees, since they naturally branch close to the ground. 29:50

Question: Terry asks which other fruit trees, besides apple and pear, get caged. 30:43 — Episode #266 Making a Good Stand a Great Stand

• Answer: Don said typically just apple, pear, and crab apple trees are caged. 30:52

Question: Terry asks whether oaks, persimmons, and chestnuts are tubed. 30:57 — Episode #266 Making a Good Stand a Great Stand

• Answer: Don confirmed he tubes chestnuts as well. 31:02

Question: Terry asks what Don puts around caged trees’ trunk base to stop varmints biting through the bark and cambium layer. 31:06 — Episode #266 Making a Good Stand a Great Stand

• Answer: Don prefers a tighter-fitting, expandable plastic tube around the trunk base over spiral wraps to protect against varmints. 31:28

Question: An anonymous Michigan listener buying 150 acres with a 13-acre field asks how to plant it, proposing clover/chicory, brassicas, corn, and beans. 38:28 — asked by mister anonymous from Michigan — Episode #266 Making a Good Stand a Great Stand

• Answer: Don liked the diversified plan but would divide the 13-acre field into sections separated by rows of fruit trees like pear, apple, persimmon, and chestnut. 38:47
• Answer: Don praised keeping all the food concentrated in one location rather than scattered, since it draws deer to a spot hunters can control access to. 39:17

Question: How far from the wood line should fruit trees be planted, and what spacing should be used between them? 9:43 — Episode #265 - How To Plant Fruit Trees - Wildlife Orchards

• Answer: Plant fruit trees far enough from the woods to get full sunlight, since trees planted too close to the treeline get shaded by overhanging branches. 10:18
• Answer: Space fruit trees about 30 feet apart, and keep them well out away from the woods. 10:40

Question: When backfilling a planting hole, should the loose dirt be packed tight or left loose? 16:43 — Episode #265 - How To Plant Fruit Trees - Wildlife Orchards

• Answer: Don stomps the backfill tight to settle it around the roots. 16:51
• Answer: Don does all this intensive work only in the first year of planting. 17:51

Question: Jay Brandenberger asks whether cedar rust from nearby cedar trees is a concern for cedar-rust-resistant Gingerich apple varieties. 43:48 — asked by Jay Brandenberger — Episode #265 - How To Plant Fruit Trees - Wildlife Orchards

• Answer: Don personally wouldn’t plant the Rutmaster variety near cedar trees, though other varieties haven’t shown issues on his farm. 45:42

Question: Brandon asks whether Don plants fruit trees to diversify food sources beyond food plots near ag land. 39:33 — asked by Brandon — Episode #263 - Live from the Iowa Deer Classic

• Answer: Don says diversifying food sources, including fruit trees, is a key part of setting a property apart. 40:03

Question: Brandon asks how often fruit trees need pruning to maximize production. 40:10 — Episode #263 - Live from the Iowa Deer Classic

• Answer: Don says on his farm fruit trees aren’t pruned after establishment; it’s survival of the fittest. 40:30

Question: An audience sawmill worker asks how to convince hunters doing excessive hinge cutting to stop ruining high-value timber. 51:12 — Episode #263 - Live from the Iowa Deer Classic

• Answer: Don says he isn’t a fan of hinge cutting and suggests cutting worthless trees off at the ground instead to let sunlight regenerate the area. 52:07

Question: Malen Born Sugar asks how important it is to cut trails through a thick, freshly cleared 40-acre timber tract. 55:28 — asked by Malen Born Sugar — Episode #263 - Live from the Iowa Deer Classic

• Answer: Don suggests using a skid loader to create a trail that funnels deer past tree stands as they move from bedding to feed. 55:48

Question: After an aggressive TSI cut on new land, would planting oak saplings be a good idea? 32:58 — asked by Nate Byron — Episode #262 - The Controlled Burn on Switchgrass GONE BAD!

• Answer: Don advises using potted oak trees rather than bare root trees since bare root trees struggle against existing competing roots. 33:29
• Answer: Don recommends three- to five-gallon potted trees five to six feet tall so deer can’t browse off the tops. 34:08

Question: When walking a property and seeing different opportunities, how does Don decide how many fruit trees to use? 13:51 — Episode #259 Apple Tree Spacing in Deer Plots

• Answer: Don says it depends on available food space; if space is limited, he avoids burning acreage on fruit trees and instead uses small pockets. 14:00

Question: How far apart does Don plan the Gingerich fruit trees when laying out a grid? 16:32 — Episode #259 Apple Tree Spacing in Deer Plots

• Answer: Don keeps the Gingerich fruit trees spaced 30 feet apart. 16:38

Question: What is the difference between a timber harvest and an aggressive TSI cut? 36:24 — asked by JC Whitet — Episode #259 Apple Tree Spacing in Deer Plots

• Answer: Don explains a timber harvest logs trees for lumber, while TSI (timber stand improvement) kills low-value species to favor better trees. 38:24

Question: Tim Gwen asks whether to let a hard-cut TSI sanctuary grow naturally into thicket or to plant nut-bearing trees like pin oaks in the openings for a deer sanctuary. 46:01 — Episode #257 - Too Early to Shed Hunt - Show some compassion!

• Answer: Don recommends planting potted trees (not seedlings) like pin oaks with tree tube shelters after a TSI cut, since potted trees keep an intact root system needed to establish new species and build a strong sanctuary. 47:22

Question: Brad Hunt from Pourum, Oklahoma asks whether Don removes cedar trees within a certain radius of his fruit trees, since cedars can carry diseases that kill fruit trees. 48:46 — asked by Brad Hunt — Episode #257 - Too Early to Shed Hunt - Show some compassion!

• Answer: Don explains the culprit is cedar apple rust fungus, which only threatens apple trees (not pears or persimmons) and can kill them; he recommends choosing resistant apple varieties rather than removing nearby cedars. 49:31

Question: Jason Brasda asks how to handle a neighboring outfitter whose ladder stand and food plot sit right on his property line. 42:38 — Episode #254 - Don Improving Cell Cameral Locations, No-Till Food Plots, and Winter Habitat Projects

• Answer: Don says that if landowners’ management goals conflict enough with a neighbor’s, deer must be protected from being taken across the line. 44:53
• Answer: Don states the only real options are selling the property or building a fence, since fences will become increasingly common. 45:21

Question: Jay Brandenberger asks how many years Don leaves protective cages on apple trees and whether he prunes the trees. 48:33 — asked by Jay Brandenberger — Episode #253 - Do Not Overcomplicate Habitat Projects!

• Answer: Don prunes young apple trees only to establish good branch structure, not on mature trees except for storm damage. 50:08
• Answer: Don typically leaves protective cages on apple trees for about ten years. 50:34

Question: John asks whether it’s harmful to keep American plum seedlings in black three-gallon pots from the hardware store. 32:43 — asked by John — Episode 230 - Don says Switchgrass is not the best bedding.

• Answer: Don explains black plastic pots attract a lot of heat, especially on the sun-facing outer edge, which can hinder root growth. 33:03

Question: What do you recommend for us habitat managers in terms of fruit trees? 26:29 — asked by Drew Peterson — Episode 225 - Big Antlers this Spring Mean Big Decisions this Fall!

• Answer: Don recommends disease-resistant apple varieties like Freedom, Liberty, Yates, Enterprise, and Gold Rush. 27:54
• Answer: Don treats his fruit trees as survival of the fittest, giving minimal care after the first two years. 30:16
• Answer: Don discourages plastic weed mats around trees because roots grow along the surface under the plastic and get exposed when it deteriorates. 33:27

Question: Kelly Shanley asks how to prevent and recover from insect damage, like a gypsy moth infestation, on newly planted fruit trees. 40:33 — asked by Kelly Shanley — Episode 224 - Saving Fawns and Farming for Nutrients: Insights from Don Higgins

• Answer: Don says he babies newly planted trees heavily their first year, giving them whatever care they need, including water. 41:17
• Answer: Don explains that by the third year his trees are on their own, following a survival-of-the-fittest approach rather than ongoing maintenance. 41:33

Question: Jason Hesselberg asks how AI will change deer hunting, weapons, accessories, drones, and tree stands in the future. 44:23 — asked by Jason Hesselberg — Episode #221 - Crop Rotations for Food Plotters and Deer Water Holes

• Answer: Don predicts more fences will be built as it becomes harder to grow bucks to maturity, forcing people to extreme measures to keep young bucks alive. 46:13
• Answer: Terry thinks thermal imaging and drones are what will end up pushing the technological limits in hunting. 46:27

Question: John asks how big of potted trees Don recommends for fall oak planting and whether they need to be watered. 49:19 — asked by John — Episode #221 - Crop Rotations for Food Plotters and Deer Water Holes

• Answer: Don says planting potted trees in the fall is a much better option than planting bare root trees in spring. 49:52
• Answer: Don says fall potted trees are the way to go, and watering is the least of your worries despite being more expensive. 53:19

Question: Scott Peters asks what fruit and nut trees to plant in a floodplain bottom to make his property more desirable for deer. 53:50 — asked by Scott Peters — Episode #221 - Crop Rotations for Food Plotters and Deer Water Holes

• Answer: Don recommends persimmons and swamp white oak for a flood-bottom property. 54:43
• Answer: Don warns to avoid chestnut trees in wet ground since they need dry feet and low soil pH. 55:59

Question: Dave Robbins asked whether Don has a minimum diameter for oaks he tells loggers to spare for future timber value when logging his 40-acre stand. 51:22 — asked by Dave Robbins — Episode #213 - Turning old cow pasture in deer sanctuary

• Answer: Don said he generally recommends about a 16-inch diameter for oaks worth saving during a timber harvest, as long as there’s a market for that size. 55:17

Question: A dealer trimming 60 apple trees asks when Don stops trimming trees on his own farm. 46:31 — Episode #211 - Live from RWWP Dealer Event - BINGO

• Answer: Don says he stops almost immediately, calling it survival of the fittest on his ranch. 46:36

Question: The same dealer asks which chestnut variety Don prefers for planting. 46:58 — Episode #211 - Live from RWWP Dealer Event - BINGO

• Answer: Don recommends Chinese chestnuts, noting they need drier sites and lower soil pH. 47:02

Question: The dealer asks whether Don tubes his chestnuts or uses cages. 47:39 — Episode #211 - Live from RWWP Dealer Event - BINGO

• Answer: Don says he tubes his chestnuts. 47:43

Question: Will the upcoming double brood of cicadas damage young fruit trees this year? 36:58 — Ep #208 - Live from the FAE Midwest Sportsman Classic!

• Answer: Don says he has no idea what to expect from insects this summer despite being asked constantly. 37:12
• Answer: Don says at 60 he doesn’t have years to waste, so cicada risk won’t stop him from planting fruit trees now. 37:54

Question: Patrick asked whether planting chestnut and oak trees in wet, muddy spring conditions ahead of a Kentucky drought was a mistake. 43:24 — Episode #196 - Lock Down Breaking Loose as Weather Changes

• Answer: Don confirmed it was a mistake: mud that dries hard as concrete afterward prevents a newly planted tree’s damaged roots from penetrating the soil. 43:44
• Answer: Don advised waiting until ground conditions are right before planting rather than pushing to plant early in wet, muddy soil. 44:10

Question: Do you have a preference on when logging is done on a property? 45:18 — asked by Kenny Schilling — Episode #191 - Babe Out In Daylight - Giant Corn Yields for Food Plotters

• Answer: Don says summer logging isn’t a bad option since it avoids the ground damage caused by spring rains. 46:09

Question: Paul Sarita asks at what age or after how many years Don recommends thinning trees in a CRP tree planting. 71:42 — asked by Paul Sarita — Episode #190 - Prep for Youth Season - Green Light on Babe

• Answer: Don says trees should be thinned once branches from neighboring trees start touching, though not necessarily immediately. 73:07
• Answer: Don says there’s really no set number of years for thinning since too many variables affect tree growth rate. 74:53

Question: Terry asked Don to name the one thing about apples that most surprised him or that he had completely wrong. 5:34 — asked by Terry — Episode #188 - Apple Trees for Whitetails

• Answer: Don said he was surprised the veteran orchard owner sprays his commercial orchard 12 times a year. 6:18

Question: Terry asked whether Jay Gingerich will start selling these disease-resistant apple trees immediately or wait for demand to build. 11:33 — asked by Terry — Episode #188 - Apple Trees for Whitetails

• Answer: Don said Jay will have two or three varieties available next spring, with a limited supply of a couple thousand trees. 11:54

Question: Mark White asked what fruit tree species to plant on his one-acre plot, how many, and how to arrange them for deer. 49:18 — asked by Mark White — Episode #187 - Do Trail Camera’s Spook Mature Bucks?

• Answer: Don recommends planting fruit trees around the edges of existing food plots to add extra pulling power at the same location. 51:29
• Answer: Don suggests about one-fourth of planted apple trees be crab apples since they bloom heavily and aid pollination. 52:12
• Answer: Don advises planting only grafted female persimmon trees, since regular seedlings often turn out male and never fruit. 54:01

Question: Terry asks whether Don is fully committed to the new tree-growing approach after seeing Mike’s orchard, or plans to test it first. 14:03 — Episode #174 Holistic & Regenerative Ag Techniques for Food Plotters

• Answer: Don says he is completely sold and all in on the new approach after seeing the orchard results. 14:23

Question: Trey Hutchinson asks what chemicals can be sprayed on food plots to kill grass and weeds without harming his newly planted fruit and chestnut trees. 16:55 — asked by Trey Hutchinson — Episode #164 - CRP Programs - Know Facts!

• Answer: Don answers that drift onto young fruit trees is rarely a concern unless spraying on an extremely windy day, since most herbicides need to contact green growing tissue to cause damage. 17:25

Question: Luke Cooper asked about burning timber periodically like prairie burns, referencing Don’s past comment about a wood burned too clean for cover. 31:43 — asked by Luke Cooper — Episode #163 - The Hype of Chestnut Trees…

• Answer: Don said he prefers a chainsaw over fire for Midwest hardwoods, though fire may have more value in southern pinewoods. 39:19
• Answer: Terry added that Dr. Strickland stressed the canopy must be opened via select harvesting before burning, or the fire won’t stimulate growth. 40:18

Question: Does hinge-cutting cedars keep them green longer and create better cover? 61:17 — Episode #161 - Live from Last Master Class - Inside QuietKat E-Bike

• Answer: Terry said cedars likely die when hinge cut, so it’s better to drop and let them die, piling them for cover near food plots. 62:39

Question: What materials do you prefer for funneling deer, and does it change with location or terrain? 52:10 — Episode #160 - Live with Dr. Bronson Strickland at Whitetail Master Class

• Answer: Don says for longer distances there’s no substitute for a wire fence, since deer eventually find gaps in piled brush. 52:43

Question: Matthew from Howell, Michigan asks whether fencing is the best way to protect newly planted fruit trees from deer, how tall it should be, or if tree tubes would work. 33:22 — Episode #152 - Are Trade Shows Dying?

• Answer: Don recommends caging fruit trees with 48-inch woven wire cattle fencing formed into a ring, since deer browse the branches directly. 33:46
• Answer: Don also recommends wrapping the trunk itself in household screen-door wire rather than plastic tile, to prevent mice from girdling the bark. 35:18

Question: Terry clarifies whether Don means screen-door mesh or chicken wire for protecting fruit tree trunks. 35:53 — asked by Terry — Episode #152 - Are Trade Shows Dying?

• Answer: Don confirms he means actual screen-door mesh, which mice cannot chew through. 35:58

Question: Terry asks what young transplanted trees need protection from, given that deer browse fresh growth. 41:21 — asked by Terry — Episode #137 - Tree Season or Deer Season?

• Answer: Jay confirms fencing protects against deer browse, and adds wrapping the trunk prevents rabbits from girdling fruit trees in winter. 41:56

Question: Mark from Rudolph, Wisconsin asks about using small bedding sanctuaries with evergreen perimeter plantings and brush clumps for thermal cover. 53:40 — asked by Mark — Episode #115 - Don’s Top Four Properties Visited This Year

• Answer: Don recommends making the entire woods a sanctuary instead of small one- or five-acre areas, since deer struggle to recognize small sanctuary boundaries. 54:56
• Answer: Don also advises leaving felled treetops from logging in place, since they provide ground cover and help regeneration. 55:34
• Answer: For plantings, Don favors oak species that hold their leaves through winter for cover. 58:50
• Answer: Don also prefers red cedars over white pines for perimeter plantings, since deer damage young pines but leave cedars alone. 59:18

Question: When planting 10 or more apple trees, why do you pick that specific spot on the property? 32:19 — asked by Tyler — Episode #114 - FOOD PLOT SEASON IS HERE!!!!!

• Answer: Don looks for one of two spots: right next to a food plot or close to a tree stand. 33:12
• Answer: Fruit trees are placed either beside a feeding area to diversify food sources or near a stand to draw deer close. 33:29

Question: An audience member asked where to draw the line on logging closed-canopy mature oak stands versus preserving them for acorn production. 39:47 — Episode #110 - Double Episode live from Master Class - Al Foster gives great advise

• Answer: Don said opening the canopy for browse growth yields more food tonnage than leaving mature oaks standing for acorns. 40:38

Question: Jeff from Illinois, with limited property access, asked whether Don would recommend a clear-cut to boost cover given the access limitations. 116:46 — asked by Jeff — Episode #110 - Double Episode live from Master Class - Al Foster gives great advise

• Answer: Don recommends cutting timber harvests hard, then immediately following with a TSI cut to remove trees with no timber or wildlife value. 118:09

Question: When clearing several acres of timber, should the work be spread over multiple springs or done in one year? 19:16 — asked by Jerry — EPISODE #109 SHED HUNTING and LIVE FROM MASTER CLASS #2

• Answer: Don says to get the project done all at once and then stay out of the area. 20:01

Question: Is there a reason to cut a whole five-acre parcel in one year versus doing half now and half later? 20:42 — EPISODE #109 SHED HUNTING and LIVE FROM MASTER CLASS #2

• Answer: Don says he stages timber cuts about every five years so regrowth is at varied stages. 21:01

Question: Would family consistently cutting firewood on 50 of 150 acres push mature bucks off the whole property? 55:09 — EPISODE #109 SHED HUNTING and LIVE FROM MASTER CLASS #2

• Answer: Don says it likely won’t push deer off the whole 150 acres if they weren’t using all of it anyway. 55:35

Question: A listener asked what tree Don would plant in open logged areas. 42:27 — Episode #105 Live from Shipshewana, IN - 2 Episodes in One!

• Answer: Don would primarily plant swamp white oaks. 42:46

Question: Ethan Royer asked how much consideration Don gives to present and future timber value versus habitat work on consulting properties. 44:01 — asked by Ethan Royer — Episode #86 - 17,764 trail cam pics in 25 days - no bait or attractant

• Answer: Don says he prefers staggering timber harvests across a property in stages rather than clear-cutting everything at once. 45:45

Question: Jacob Copaska asks whether different apple varieties cross-pollinate each other and whether apple trees will pollinate his pear trees. 40:57 — asked by Jacob Copaska — Episode #75 - Concerned about cell cams, when should i plant, and purple headed freaks…

• Answer: Apple trees won’t pollinate pear trees, but Bartlett pears should self-pollinate fine; different apple varieties will cross-pollinate each other. 41:33

Question: Mike Schulte from McFarland, Wisconsin asks why Terry doesn’t use hinge cutting on trees like locust, mulberry, and hackberry that won’t be harvested for timber. 57:49 — asked by Mike Schulte — Episode #70 - Fathers Day Talk along with comparison of the Hunting Industry and the Drug Cartel

• Answer: Terry explains his opposition is that hinge cutting ruins the tree’s future timber value while leaving its root system alive to compete with surrounding trees. 59:07
• Answer: Don recalls being amazed at how thick vegetation grew back in Terry’s sanctuary simply from sunlight reaching the forest floor after trees were killed and dropped. 62:07
• Answer: Terry laments that people have destroyed significant timber nationwide in the name of the hinge-cutting craze. 64:22
• Answer: Terry concludes hinge cutting can create great deer habitat but by itself won’t help hunters kill mature deer. 66:58

Question: Brad asks whether he should cut or spray paths through timber cluttered with treetops, TSI debris, and multiflora rows for deer movement. 43:22 — Episode #66 - Don has Mel officially scored. Discussion about planting food plot seed. Is planting seed heavy good or bad?

• Answer: Don says yes, but selectively — cut paths only to funnel deer past tree stands as they exit thick cover. 43:36

Question: Jacob asks whether Don does habitat or timber work inside his wooded property or leaves it untouched. 40:42 — asked by Jacob — Episode #61 - Live from the Midwest Sportsman Show - TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM LIVE CROWD

• Answer: Don says he does maintenance work in his wooded property, always timed for winter after hunting season. 41:06
• Answer: Don adds he isn’t a fan of hinge cutting but will drop trees with no current or future value. 41:39

Question: Ray asks what to do with the felled tops after a 40-acre TSI cut. 47:18 — asked by Ray — Episode #61 - Live from the Midwest Sportsman Show - TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM LIVE CROWD

• Answer: Don says he just lets the felled tops lay after TSI work. 47:33
• Answer: Don adds he’ll occasionally pile tops along a property line with a bad neighbor to block deer traffic there. 47:41

Question: John Jay asks whether woods can get too thick after TSI for deer to use. 58:22 — Episode #61 - Live from the Midwest Sportsman Show - TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM LIVE CROWD

• Answer: Don says he can’t recall ever seeing a woods too thick for deer, especially if the TSI is done right. 58:31

Question: Jim Moore asked Don for his honest opinion on the good, bad, and ugly of hinge cutting for timber management. 45:03 — asked by Jim Moore — Episode #58 - Burning Native Grass Tips and Great Questions from 3rd Master Class

• Answer: Don said he’s not a fan of hinge cutting because he believes hunters can be better stewards of their timber. 45:45
• Answer: Don acknowledged hinge cutting makes instant cover but said he must leave the farm in good shape for his grandsons’ future, so he avoids it. 46:39

Question: Natalie asks how to log her 118-acre Michigan property for income and wildlife habitat, and whether Don’s consulting service advises on logging. 48:05 — asked by Natalie Hesselberg — Episode #28 - Don’s Buck Forecast and Terry defends Rednecks using zip ties

• Answer: Don recommends logging half the 80 acres first, having a logger cut it hard, then clearing worthless trees before waiting years to log the remaining half. 48:32

Question: Terry asks whether bad experiences with loggers not following the agreed plan are common everywhere or just in his area. 53:07 — Episode #28 - Don’s Buck Forecast and Terry defends Rednecks using zip ties

• Answer: Don says loggers have a shady reputation almost everywhere he’s worked, not just in Terry’s area, though good loggers do exist. 53:52

Question: Brandon asks what trees Don and Terry like to plant to improve deer habitat, and which apple or fruit trees deer prefer. 18:51 — asked by Brandon Ericsson — Episode #21 - Working on Food Plots and Watching the Weather - Lots and Lots of Questions

• Answer: Look for disease-resistant apple varieties suited to your region rather than a variety deer find tastier. 20:36
• Answer: Don personally prefers pears over apples since pears need less upkeep and deer seem to favor them. 22:06
• Answer: Don now just plants cheaper Chinese chestnuts instead of Dunstan chestnuts. 23:06

Question: Guy Antonacci asked about hinge cutting versus dropping trees and leaving the tops for cover. 15:20 — asked by Guy Antonacci — Episode #17 - Live from Don Higgins first Master Class of 2020

• Answer: Don said he’s not a fan of hinge cutting because it keeps a worthless tree alive; he’d rather kill it outright to let a better tree take its place. 15:55

Question: Ben Sansone’s submitted question asked how thick is too thick after hinge cutting a sanctuary area, since it became hard to walk through. 40:15 — asked by Ben Sansone — Episode #17 - Live from Don Higgins first Master Class of 2020

• Answer: Don answered that he has never seen an area too thick, as long as you cut clear access trails from the edge into the heart of the cut area. 40:34

Question: Is it important to have a mix of old growth, new growth, and in-between timber types on a property? 37:06 — Episode #14 - Don and Terry talk deer during the superbowl…

• Answer: Don says yes, and recommends staggering hard cuts, timbering about a quarter of a large woodlot every five years. 37:28

Plot Establishment

Question: An anonymous La Crosse, Wisconsin listener asks what cover crop to plant with soybeans to fight emerging waterhemp. 39:07 — #329 | Why Don Higgins Gets More Excited About July Than Opening Day

• Answer: Don recommends immediately spraying a heavy dose of glyphosate mixed with Flexstar or Cobra, since it’s too late for a cover crop to fix the weeds. 40:26
• Answer: Don stresses that using a pre-emergent herbicide before planting is the real fix for future seasons. 41:15
• Answer: Terry warns the Flexstar/Cobra rescue treatment will visibly stunt soybeans without killing them. 43:49
• Answer: Don notes waterhemp emerges later in summer, so the listener likely still has time to rescue his crop while it’s small. 44:21

Question: Terry asked what he should plant in a small cornfield this spring to avoid going corn-on-corn before returning it to feed corn. 14:18 — The Biggest Mistake Food Plotters Make in June | Chasing Giants #328

• Answer: Don recommended soil-building species like sun hemp, buckwheat, sunflowers, and legumes such as hairy vetch to build tonnage while keeping deer off the field. 14:37

Question: The anonymous listener asked whether Don has planted legumes like brassicas, hairy vetch, or clovers the year after growing Resicore-treated corn. 22:52 — The Biggest Mistake Food Plotters Make in June | Chasing Giants #328

• Answer: Don confirmed he did exactly that, having grown corn a year prior treated with Resicore. 23:27

Question: Terry asked how Mike’s Mighty Micros should be used on corn and soybeans during post-emergent applications. 17:39 — Grow Bigger Food Plots, Gardens & Fruit Trees – Mike Mitchell Breaks It Down | Chasing Giants #324

• Answer: Mike said to apply the product during the last herbicide pass of the season on corn and beans. 17:51

Question: A listener asked what to do about weeds in an orchard overseeded with Real World Clover and Chicory, and whether clethodim is safe to use. 32:21 — asked by Jonathan Vilches — Prayers, Peace & Planting Strategy | Spring Food Plot Advice | Chasing Giants 323

• Answer: Don said the best remedy for weeds in clover is simply mowing it before the plants mature and go to seed. 33:03
• Answer: Don added that for broadleaf weeds specifically, mowing about once a month through late spring and summer is the best approach. 34:01
• Answer: Terry clarified clethodim only kills grasses, so it’s safe on clover and alfalfa but must never be sprayed on Miscanthus, switchgrass, sorghum, or corn. 35:02

Question: A listener asked whether Real World would release its own hairy vetch seed variety after seeing it used as a soybean cover crop. 40:54 — asked by Andy Busman — Prayers, Peace & Planting Strategy | Spring Food Plot Advice | Chasing Giants 323

• Answer: Don said Real World won’t have its own proprietary variety but is currently testing several hairy vetch varieties. 41:04
• Answer: Don noted listeners can already buy hairy vetch through the Real World office or its sister company Green Prairie Seed. 42:16

Question: What does Don need to do this year before planting season, if anything, for soil health? 30:11 — Don Higgins Breaks Down His Favorite Properties of 2026 - Chasing Giants #320

• Answer: Don says he doesn’t need to do much this year since he’s already applied biochar and humic to his soil in past seasons. 30:20

Question: Josh Myers of Wellington, Ohio asked whether pre-emergent herbicide sprayed on a Miscanthus planting would spread into his adjacent clover plot. 34:33 — asked by Josh Myers — INSANE Bedding Cover + 22 Bears on Camera?! | Chasing Giants #318

• Answer: Don says the pre-emergent won’t affect the fruit trees and likely won’t harm the clover unless applied at a very high rate. 35:09

Question: Terry follows up asking whether the pre-emergent will actually leach through the ground beyond the sprayed area. 35:31 — INSANE Bedding Cover + 22 Bears on Camera?! | Chasing Giants #318

• Answer: Don explains most pre-emergents don’t kill established plants, they just prevent new seeds from germinating, so leaching risk is minimal. 35:38

Question: David Aman asks whether to switch to Enlist soybeans and spray Liberty for resistant waterhemp, and whether Enlist beans equal Gen-2s with different chemical tolerances. 41:33 — asked by David Aman — Cut More Trees! How Aggressive TSI Creates Better Deer Habitat

• Answer: Don says Enlist and Gen-2 are totally different beans, and he actively discourages planting Enlist because deer clearly prefer Gen-2 soybeans. 41:45
• Answer: Don recommends planting Gen-2 soybeans with a pre-emergent herbicide and experimenting with overseed options rather than switching to Enlist. 42:22

Question: What is the ideal crop rotation if you own a pH drill, and do you use it for corn? 29:53 — Doubting Thomas, Dealer Event & BIG Scrape Magnet News | Chasing Giants Podcast 314

• Answer: Don has used his pH drill for corn by blocking off rows to create roughly 30-inch spacing. 30:00
• Answer: Don says there is no single ideal crop rotation; he preaches diversity across plots and years. 30:26

Question: Can you use grain sorghum as a rotational crop to soybeans rather than corn? 36:30 — Doubting Thomas, Dealer Event & BIG Scrape Magnet News | Chasing Giants Podcast 314

• Answer: Don says yes, you can rotate any combination as long as there’s no herbicide carryover between years. 36:35

Question: John Helmick asked whether to fully replant his failed clover plot in spring or frost seed it instead, and when and how much seed to use. 52:10 — asked by John Helmick — Snow, Sheds & Sorghum: Late-Season Deer Survival | Chasing Giants #311

• Answer: Don advised frost seeding clover as late as possible, typically in March, to get a few freeze-thaw cycles without leaving seed exposed too long. 53:39

Question: When is the best time to overseed a clover plot given fluctuating temperatures in South Dakota? 55:49 — Texas Hunt, Brutal Cold, Late Rut Behavior & Winter Habitat Decisions | Chasing Giants Podcast #309

• Answer: Don advises waiting until March, once temperatures are rising but still get a few nighttime freezes, rather than frost seeding too early. 56:09

Question: With a limited budget, which of pH balancer, humic acid, or biochar should be prioritized, and do Gen-two soybeans need inoculant? 63:29 — asked by Brock Van Aslan — Texas Hunt, Brutal Cold, Late Rut Behavior & Winter Habitat Decisions | Chasing Giants Podcast #309

• Answer: Don explains the red soybean coating is a fungicide, not an inoculant, protecting seed from rot in cool soil. 63:56
• Answer: Don says a brand-new plot like Brock’s should be inoculated, unlike an established ag field. 64:24
• Answer: Terry adds that inoculant especially helps old pasture or CRP ground. 64:43
• Answer: Don recommends prioritizing a cheap aglime soil test to fix pH before spending on pH balancer, biochar, or humic acid. 65:12

Question: When should a fall food plotter start weed control if planning to no-till drill plots in mid to late August? 36:18 — asked by Dustin Ward — Episode #281 - How Don Tracks Giant Bucks Years in Advance

• Answer: Don advises starting weed control in spring with a cover crop that builds soil and gets deer using the plot, then terminating it a few weeks before fall planting. 36:27

Question: What is the weed-control timeline for someone who just got new property access and wants to plant a fall plot around September 1? 37:41 — Episode #281 - How Don Tracks Giant Bucks Years in Advance

• Answer: Don recommends spraying the weed patch dead, broadcasting seed over the dead vegetation, then mowing it high so the shattered thatch covers and holds moisture on the seed. 38:37

Question: What is the latest date to plant grain sorghum? 12:19 — #279 - Live Hot Seat! Don Higgins Faces Tough Questions from Dealers | 2025 RWWP Summit

• Answer: Don recommends planting grain sorghum by early to mid July in the Midwest. 12:29

Question: Can fertilizer-humic acid blends turn into hot clay if applied certain ways, and what should dealers know? 17:23 — #279 - Live Hot Seat! Don Higgins Faces Tough Questions from Dealers | 2025 RWWP Summit

• Answer: Don explains blends with urea draw moisture and turn into a sticky, gummy mess, so bags should be opened and spread immediately, never through a drill. 17:39

Question: Brett Raptor Camo asked which fertilizer products—liquid or dry—Don and Terry use and have had better success with for food plots. 48:06 — asked by Brett Raptor Camo — Episode #268 - Thermal Drone Tells the Truth on Don’s Farm

• Answer: Don said dry fertilizer products are the way to go, but everything starts with getting a soil test done first. 50:11
• Answer: Don added that granular fertilizers are better than liquid fertilizers overall. 50:22

Question: Fletcher Culpepper asked where Don stands on planting green, the crimper/release process, or regenerative ag in general. 52:46 — asked by Fletcher Culpepper — Episode #268 - Thermal Drone Tells the Truth on Don’s Farm

• Answer: Don said he’s all about regenerative ag and is in the process of converting all his food plots to no-till. 53:45

Question: If someone can’t plant corn, would sorghum be a good substitute every other year? 55:27 — asked by Paul — Episode #256 - Hard Winter and Early Buck Shed? Illinois CWD Announcement

• Answer: Don says grain sorghum is a fantastic option if you don’t want to plant corn. 55:37

Question: Colin Price asks how to incorporate greens into a farmer’s standing grain when he can’t plant food plots, without disrupting the farmer’s operation. 64:40 — asked by Colin Price — Episode #255 - Deer Movement and Weather Fronts

• Answer: Don recommends talking to the farmer about planting a cover crop and having it aerial-seeded by drone, which benefits the farmer’s soil while giving hunters green forage without disturbing his grain. 65:06

Question: Jeremy Sluder asked how Don prepares a plot overtaken by pigweeds for fall planting, including mowing, spraying, and tillage timing. 27:20 — Episode 228 - Is Iowa Really the Best State?

• Answer: Don says his approach is to spray the overgrown plot at least twice before planting. 30:34
• Answer: Terry advises keeping the plot mowed through summer so pigweed and hogweed never go to seed. 32:35
• Answer: Terry says to wait about ten days after spraying before disturbing the soil, so weed roots are fully killed. 33:02

Question: Dennis Isaacs asked whether a deer-beneficial cover crop could be broadcast in August, and whether to kill it with herbicide before spring green-up. 36:02 — asked by Dennis Isaacs — Episode 228 - Is Iowa Really the Best State?

• Answer: Don says frost seeding is inferior to waiting for warm soil and a clean, weed-free seedbed before planting switchgrass. 36:39
• Answer: Don recommends planting oats as the cover crop, since most oats winterkill before spring. 38:27

Question: Have you changed your mind on crimper rollers and will you ever buy one? 35:51 — asked by William — Episode 225 - Big Antlers this Spring Mean Big Decisions this Fall!

• Answer: Don has not changed his mind and still won’t buy a crimper roller. 37:47
• Answer: Don explained crimpers only work if the crop is at the exact right maturity stage, making good timing hard for weekend food plotters. 36:28

Question: Terry asks what soil health steps, like humic acid, Don plans before planting season. 6:40 — asked by Terry — Episode #217 - Now Don wants to go fishing!

• Answer: Don plans to split several plots and test humic acid plus Mike’s Mighty Microbes on one half, comparing tissue samples. 6:51

Question: Andy Yoder asks whether carp from bow fishing can be turned into an effective fertilizer for soybeans, corn, and soil health. 29:10 — asked by Andy Yoder — Episode #217 - Now Don wants to go fishing!

• Answer: Don says he’s unsure how much a carp-based fertilizer would help, calling it a very labor-intensive process with uncertain benefit. 30:10

Question: Brent asked how Don and Terry manage corn plots for hunting, including whether they knock corn down to direct deer movement past stands. 69:54 — asked by Brent Fry — Episode#203 - Post Season Scouting and Project Advice

• Answer: Don explains he directs deer past his stand in a corn plot by mowing sections of standing corn, since deer prefer feeding where it’s knocked down. 74:16
• Answer: Don applies urea before discing, then sprays liquid nitrogen with residual herbicide right after planting corn so he never has to treat the plot again all season. 78:24

Question: Steve Sheber asks if there’s a point where spraying an overly weedy food plot stops being beneficial. 57:06 — asked by Steve Sheber — Episode 178 - The Bucks and The Corn are Growing Fast

• Answer: Don answers that weeds should be controlled in plots because, though deer browse them in summer, weeds reduce the quantity of nutritious food available for winter. 61:33

Question: Terry asks Don to compare this year’s Sure Shot herbicide to last year’s Resicore, since Don felt it was less effective. 6:11 — asked by Terry — Episode 175 - June Food Plot Update

• Answer: Don says Resicore worked great on everything last year, but this year’s Sure Shot controlled broadleaf weeds well while allowing more grass through, possibly due to weather. 6:38

Question: Grady also asks how to prepare fall food plots for planting Deadly Dozen. 30:57 — Episode 175 - June Food Plot Update

• Answer: Don advises keeping weeds suppressed through spraying or continual ground work as the key step in preparing fall plots like Deadly Dozen. 31:03

Question: Adam Babb asks about a Wired to Hunt podcast claim, citing Craig Harper’s research, that soil quality doesn’t necessarily equate to plant nutrient quality. 44:58 — asked by Adam Babb — Episode #174 Holistic & Regenerative Ag Techniques for Food Plotters

• Answer: Don says the question’s timing was perfect given what he just saw at the orchard, and admits he doubts the claim. 45:28
• Answer: Don adds he can’t imagine a plant grown in richer, more nutrient-dense soil wouldn’t itself be more nutrient dense. 47:49

Question: Kyle Rentmeister asks how he’s supposed to plan clover plots when two respected experts give opposite mowing advice. 64:02 — asked by Kyle Rentmeister — Episode #171 - Take What a Property Gives You!

• Answer: Don says clover plots mowed only once a year, as the alternative advice suggests, turn into a weedy mess deer avoid, based on his firsthand observation. 65:16
• Answer: Don maintains regular mowing promotes the tender new clover growth deer prefer, which is why he keeps mowing about once a month. 66:23

Question: Would Don rather use liquid fertilizer and lime, or pelletized lime and fertilizer, and why? 48:48 — asked by Jason Steele — Episode #186 - Regenerative Ag Practices

• Answer: Don explained that liquid fertilizer labels show minuscule nutrient amounts that can’t equal a ton of granular lime. 55:46
• Answer: Don recommended testing any liquid product by spraying only half a plot and comparing results to the untreated side. 56:55

Question: What does Don’s food-plot crop rotation look like, and how does he factor in local farmers’ rotations? 57:45 — asked by Jake Steed — Episode #186 - Regenerative Ag Practices

• Answer: Don rotates his plots roughly evenly between three crops: Real Generation Two soybeans, Real World’s NutriCrave corn, and Real World’s Deadly Dozen. 58:50

Question: David Aman asked whether using a pre-emergent herbicide on soybeans would still let an overseeded green plot come up in the fall. 44:39 — asked by David Aman — Episode #166 - Spring Herbicides

• Answer: Don advised being careful about which residual herbicide and dosage to use, and spraying early so the residual wears off before fall overseeding. 46:23
• Answer: Terry said he’d rather use a pre-emergent herbicide and skip a green source than deal with heavy waterhemp and marestail in his soybeans. 47:32
• Answer: Don added that soybean leaves need to be turning yellow, not still green, for an overseeded green plot to successfully come up. 47:59

Question: Can clover be frost-seeded into snow that’s melting but the ground isn’t yet firm? 52:21 — Episode #161 - Live from Last Master Class - Inside QuietKat E-Bike

• Answer: Duane said frost seeding into melting snow is fine as long as it isn’t sitting on two feet of snow that could blow away. 52:31

Question: Paul asks Don to explain the difference between Real World’s high-oil corn and Tony LaPratt’s similar Roundup Ready high-oil corn. 42:57 — asked by Paul — Episode #149 Frigid Temps and Deer… Merry Christmas 2022!

• Answer: Don confirms Tony LaPratt’s corn is Roundup Ready but says he found something he felt was better, which is why Real World went a different, non-GMO direction. 45:03

Question: Terry asks Jay how to prepare a planting site for a potted tree, including whether herbicide spraying is needed first. 40:09 — asked by Terry — Episode #137 - Tree Season or Deer Season?

• Answer: Jay says to prep a site by spraying planned fall planting spots with Roundup in summer to kill vegetation ahead of time. 40:51

Question: Tristan Reed also asked whether to spread fertilizer like triple 19 on growing food plots or leave them alone. 34:11 — asked by Tristan Reed — Episode #128 - Watching Summer Velvet Giants!

• Answer: Don says a soil test is essential before applying any fertilizer, and it’s inexpensive. 36:55
• Answer: Terry adds that following soil test recommendations for cereal grains or soybeans gets you close for most fall plot blends. 37:59

Question: Do deer avoid food plots after spraying them with glyphosate, and are there long-term health effects for deer from glyphosate exposure? 18:02 — asked by Brian Byers — Episode #125 - Wheat Prices May Change Late Season Hunting

• Answer: Don says deer can tell the difference between genetically modified and non-GMO plants and prefer non-GMO every time, though most available soybeans are GMO. 20:24

Question: Carl Piro asks Don and Terry to clarify when to apply residual herbicides in spring food plots and how they affect seeding and clover. 20:23 — asked by Carl Piro — Chasing Giants Episode 121 - Residual Herbicide Discussion & Don is Buying a Farm

• Answer: Don explains residuals are pre-emergent herbicides that work in the soil to prevent weeds rather than needing contact with growing weeds. 21:41
• Answer: Terry advises Carl to consult a local chemical/ag dealer since residual products vary by region and crop. 28:30
• Answer: Don clarifies the correct term is ‘surfactant,’ a sticky additive that helps herbicide adhere to and work on the plant. 29:12

Question: When should someone mow off thin, heavily browsed soybeans near bedding and replant a fall blend instead of leaving them? 19:25 — Episode #75 - Concerned about cell cams, when should i plant, and purple headed freaks…

• Answer: Terry’s rule: if sunlight reaches bare ground between soybean plants (no full canopy), rework or overseed with another crop to boost tonnage. 19:46

Question: Steven Skipper asks whether using buckwheat to build soil is just industry hype or has real benefits. 61:21 — asked by Steven Skipper — Episode #68 - Germination, Browse Pressure, When To Spray - DON PICKS IOWA UNIT…

• Answer: Don confirms buckwheat is a legitimate soil-building plant, along with others like sunn hemp and sunflowers. 62:10

Question: Terry asks why it was important to mow the clover plot before the grasses went to seed. 19:13 — Episode #67 - WATCH OUT FOR FAWNS! Don and Terry both have a close call!

• Answer: Don explains grass naturally invades clover plots, and letting it go to seed just brings on even more grass. 19:25

Question: Can Don explain what Roundup Ready or glyphosate-tolerant means for different plants? 9:11 — Episode #65 Spring Plot Herbicide Discussion and Fawns dropping

• Answer: Glyphosate-tolerant soybeans can be sprayed with Roundup, which kills weeds without harming the tolerant soybeans. 9:32

Question: A Missouri hunter with six years of continuous soybeans asks whether adding Deadly Dozen or deer salad as a cover crop helps prevent bean disease. 64:50 — Episode #56 RELOAD - Great discussion live from 2021 Master Class #1 - Terry answers some questions on cell cam test

• Answer: Don shares that he’s personally had soybeans in the same plot for up to six consecutive years without issue. 66:45
• Answer: Don says he’s not certain about disease prevention himself and points to Duane as the real expert on whether the cover crop helps. 67:01

Question: Lee De Smith asks what to plant in the spring to keep his Deadly Dozen plot from lying fallow until fall, and when to eventually rotate out of Deadly Dozen. 59:45 — asked by Lee De Smith — Episode #50 - Spring Food Plots with Duane Hopkins - the good and bad for different spring plot options

• Answer: Duane suggests planting soybeans in spring, since Deadly Dozen can later be drilled right over the top of them in late summer. 60:10
• Answer: Duane says by year three, Deadly Dozen’s quality begins to decline, making that the point to swap in something else for a season. 61:05
• Answer: Don adds that a spring clover option would also add nitrogen to the soil ahead of the fall Deadly Dozen planting. 61:30

Question: Rich Highly asks whether it makes sense to spread Maximizer Deer Mineral onto food plots like a fertilizer so deer get nutritional benefit. 63:53 — asked by Rich Highly — Episode #50 - Spring Food Plots with Duane Hopkins - the good and bad for different spring plot options

• Answer: Duane recommends keeping fertilizer and mineral programs separate, using a targeted fertilizer analysis for the plants rather than spreading mineral as fertilizer. 65:07
• Answer: Don calls the idea terrible, arguing the same money spent on fertilizer instead of mineral would produce far better results. 65:53

Question: How and when should Miscanthus be planted, including site prep and follow-up care? 35:59 — asked by Eric Wagerman — Episode #20 - Food Plot Prep Continues - Native Grass and Miscanthus in the Ground

• Answer: Don recommends starting with a weed-free site prepared by spraying herbicide before planting Miscanthus. 37:05

Question: Is planting Deadly Dozen year after year a bad idea for crop rotation? 42:18 — Episode #16 - Food Plots… Frost Seeding, Switchgrass Stratification, and Soybeans

• Answer: Don explained his personal rotation keeps two-thirds of crop acreage in soybeans annually and one-third in Deadly Dozen, shifting which third each year. 42:50

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