November 11, 2025
Ep. 461: The Second Half of the Rut: Why It’s the Best Time to Kill a Mature Buck w/ Nathan Killen & Jason Redd
East Meets West HuntAbout this episode
Beau Martonik hits the Appalachian Mountains with Nathan Killen and Jason Redd of Timber Ninja Outdoors to talk about scouting and hunting tactics during the second half of the rut—when deer activity begins to taper off but opportunities still exist for giants for those who adapt. Nathan breaks down how buck behavior shifts as the peak fades, with food sources and remaining hot does driving movement. The crew discusses how to recognize fresh sign, adjust stand access and setups, and use trail cameras strategically to stay in the game as the rut slows down. They also reflect on how their hunting mindsets have evolved, from chasing obvious sign to keying in on subtle patterns that consistently produce mature bucks in big woods terrain. Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:15 — Intro & Welcome: Nathan Killen and Jason Redd 00:05:28 — Gifts and Traditions in Hunting 00:07:09 — Scouting Adventures in the Appalachians 00:16:47 — Team Strategy and Shared Learning 00:19:49 — Hunting Minimal Sign During the Rut Downturn 00:29:49 — The “Tri-Ridge” Advantage 00:38:39 — When to Leave a Setup and Move On Resources: Timber Ninja Website IG: @timberninjaoutdoors Instagram: @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik Facebook: East Meets West Outdoors Shop Hunting Gear and Apparel: https://www.eastmeetswesthunt.com/ YouTube: Beau Martonik - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJon93sYfu9HUMKpCMps3w Partner Discounts and Affiliate Links: https://www.eastmeetswesthunt.com/partners Amazon Influencer Page https://www.amazon.com/shop/beau.martonik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices