September 16, 2025
Ep. 450: Whitetail Research: Unlocking Mature Buck Daylight Patterns with Thermal Drones
East Meets West HuntAbout this episode
Beau Martonik sits down with Derrick Dixon, the creator of the Whitetail Research YouTube channel, to dive into how thermal drones are changing the way we understand deer behavior. Derrick shares his bold decision to leave a secure job and dedicate an entire season to tracking whitetails with advanced technology. From morning movement patterns to the individuality of mature bucks, Derrick reveals fascinating discoveries about how deer respond to wind, weather, and human pressure. He also breaks down the myths surrounding technology in hunting—showing how traditional woodsmanship and modern tools can work hand in hand. Whether you’re a hunter looking to sharpen your skills or simply curious about the science of whitetails, this episode will inspire you to see the woods in a whole new way. Topics: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:37 – Derek's Journey into Deer Research 00:13:39 – The Passion To Observe 00:18:48 – Terrain and Deer Movement 00:28:51 – Morning Movement Patterns 00:48:17 – Individuality of Mature Bucks 00:55:40 – Thermal Switch Insights 01:12:59 – Scrapes and Signposts 01:18:34 – The Impact of Human Pressure 01:32:11 – Technology vs. Woodsmanship 01:40:48 – Applying Research to Hunting 01:49:40 – Future Plans and Resources Resources: Whitetail Research Links: IG: https://www.instagram.com/whitetailresearch/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhitetailResearch 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