
Ep. 461: The Second Half of the Rut: Why It’s the Best Time to Kill a Mature Buck w/ Nathan Killen & Jason Redd
11/11/2025
0:00
1:47:06
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
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https://www.eastmeetswesthunt.com/
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Beau Martonik - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJon93sYfu9HUMKpCMps3w
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