Why Are Bucks Scraping THIS MUCH Already? | Chasing Giants Podcast #345

Something strange is happening in the deer woods this fall. Don says that in nearly 50 years of deer hunting, he has never seen this much scrape activity during September. Terry is seeing the same thing across properties in Kentucky, Ohio, central Illinois and southern Illinois — and it isn't just bucks. Does are hammering scrapes too. So what's causing it? In this episode of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don Higgins and Terry Peer dig into the incredible early-season scrape activity they're seeing and discuss what it could mean as we move deeper into October. Don also shares his recent fall habitat work, including why he believes fall is the best time to plant trees and how he's adding oaks, apple trees and pear trees without unnecessarily disturbing his hunting property. Then the conversation takes a much more personal turn. Illinois deer season is open...but Don hasn't hunted yet. He hasn't even shot his new bow. Don explains why his priorities are changing, why he's suddenly more excited about trapping than deer hunting, and how Robin's health and spending time with his grandson have changed his perspective. Terry and Don discuss something every serious hunter eventually has to confront: hunting may be a huge part of our lives, but it shouldn't be the most important part. Also in this episode: • Terry recaps his 50th birthday trip and fishing the Destin Rodeo • Why fall can be the perfect time to plant habitat trees • Don's experience at the Illinois Trappers Association event • Why Scrape Magnet-treated mock scrapes are holding deer for hundreds of trail-camera photos • Why mature bucks sometimes simply disappear • The growing controversy surrounding thermal drones and deer hunting • Drop-away rests vs. Whisker Biscuits • Whether you should mow underneath white oaks, persimmons and other feed trees • Listener questions from across the country • An update on Robin and her upcoming Mayo Clinic visit WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Are you seeing more scrape activity than normal this fall? Tell us where you're located and what you're seeing in the comments. We're especially interested in hearing whether you're seeing unusually heavy scrape activity from both bucks AND does. And if you're using rope scrapes or Scrape Magnet, are deer spending more time working those scrapes than you've seen in previous years? Subscribe to Chasing Giants and follow along throughout the 2026 deer season as Don and Terry share what they're seeing in real time. #ChasingGiants #DeerHunting #WhitetailDeer #WhitetailHunting #DeerScrapes #ScrapeActivity #DeerHabitat #LandManagement #Bowhunting Chasing Giants TV Sponsors: Real World Wildlife Products Asio Gear Chasing Giants Podcast Sponsors: Asio Gear Real World Wildlife Products Hawke Optics Novix Outdoors Midwest Land Group 360 Hunting Blinds Mike’s Mighty Micros Gingerich Tree Farms TagOut Technique Grubb Implement Brenton USA Mathews Archery Victory GMC & Auto Group Wildlife Farming WiseEye Technologies Chasing Assurance Podcast Sponsors: Heartwood Planning Group WiseEye Technologies Coonless Feeders Green Prairie Seed Company © 2026 Chasing Giants Podcast. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts during this episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Chasing Giants, our sponsors, advertising partners, affiliates, or associated organizations. This interview is presented for informational purposes and to encourage respectful discussion. Copyright Notice: Any unauthorized reproduction, rebroadcast, redistribution, recording, or use of this audio or video, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Chasing Giants LLC is strictly prohibited.