About this episode

Don Higgins discusses the primary factor influencing whitetail deer movement, emphasizing the impact of temperature over other factors like the rut and moon phases.

What is the #1 factor controlling whitetail deer movement? According to Don Higgins, it isn't the rut. It isn't the moon. It's TEMPERATURE. In Episode 340 of the Chasing Giants Podcast, Don shares a recent real-world example from his trail cameras. After averaging roughly 100–400 photos per day across eight cameras, a temperature change caused activity to explode to more than 1,500 photos per day — and the movement wasn't limited to nighttime. Don and Terry break down why weather can trump nearly everything else when it comes to mature buck movement and how hunters can use cold fronts throughout the entire deer season. Also in Episode 340: • Why 2026 is producing an incredible hard and soft mast crop • Acorns, apples, persimmons, chestnuts and other fall food sources • How abundant food can change deer patterns • October morning hunting — when does it actually make sense? • A mature buck encounter that completely changed how Don hunts • Why giving up the wind can ruin even a great stand location • What "woodsmanship" really means • Why trapping can make someone a better deer hunter • Teaching the next generation traditional outdoor skills • Using hairy vetch for soil health and…

People in this episode

Host: Terry Peer

Guest: Don Higgins

Topics covered

• deer movement
• temperature effects
• hunting strategies
• food sources
• woodsmanship
• outdoor skills

Keywords

• whitetail deer
• hunting
• temperature
• food sources
• cold fronts
• mature bucks
• woodsmanship
• trapping
• outdoor skills

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Chasing Giants

More episodes of Chasing Giants with Don Higgins

• Don Higgins’ 2026 Big Buck Forecast: The Worst He’s Ever Seen · September 6, 2026 · 1h 14m
• Someone Sends You a Tip on a 200” Buck… What Do You Do? | Chasing Giants 339 · August 23, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Legal Doesn’t Mean Ethical: Where Do YOU Draw the Line? | Chasing Giants 338 · August 16, 2026 · 1h 9m
• You Spent WHAT on a Deer Crossing?! | Chasing Giants #337 · August 9, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Thermal Drones, Food Plot Mistakes & Buck Dispersal | Chasing Giants Podcast #336 · August 2, 2026 · 1h 7m
• You're Planting Fall Food Plots TOO EARLY! (Most Hunters Get This Wrong) · July 26, 2026 · 1h 8m

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