
Ep. 478: Micro Terrain Features Big Woods Bucks Use Repeatedly (Pt.2) w/ Josh Stewart
From East Meets West Hunt by Beau Martonik
February 17, 2026 · 1h 24m · Episode 478
About this episode
Beau Martonik and Josh Stewart discuss hunting strategies and experiences in the second part of their conversation about big woods bucks.
In this episode of the East Meets West Hunt Podcast, Beau Martonik and Josh Stewart continue their conversation in part two. Josh shares the full story of a hunt that started with heartbreak. Missing his target buck at five yards and ended with one of the most intense and rewarding bucks of his life. They break down the decisions that mattered most, such as staying put rather than leaving, reading doe behavior, choosing a doe bleat over a grunt, and trusting instinct amid peak-rut chaos. If you enjoy detailed whitetail strategy, real hunting stories, and lessons learned the hard way, this episode is packed with value. Topics: 00:00:00 — Intro 00:05:08 – Old-School Hunting & the Pennsylvania Tuxedo 00:13:10 – One-sticking & Rappel Systems 00:17:02 – Scouting Your Way In 00:20:21 – Spotting A Giant Buck In Summer & Finding the Micro-Meadow 00:23:44 – Staying In The Tree After Devastation Pays Off 00:27:45 – Bleat vs Grunt: The Decision That Changed Everything 00:30:45 – Age, Mass & History of the Buck 00:32:56 – Why Doe Bleats Work 00:37:23 – Why Micro-Meadows Consistently Produce Mature Bucks 00:50:25 – Trusting the Process & Mental Toughness 00:56:42 – The Element of Surprise on…
People in this episode
Host: Beau Martonik
Guest: Josh Stewart
Topics covered
- Old-School Hunting & the Pennsylvania Tuxedo
- One-sticking & Rappel Systems
- Scouting Your Way In
- Spotting A Giant Buck In Summer & Finding the Micro-Meadow
- Staying In The Tree After Devastation Pays Off
- Bleat vs Grunt: The Decision That Changed Everything
- Age, Mass & History of the Buck
- Why Doe Bleats Work
- Why Micro-Meadows Consistently Produce Mature Bucks
- Trusting the Process & Mental Toughness
- The Element of Surprise on Old Bucks
- Comparing Fly Fishing To Hunting
Keywords
- whitetail strategy
- hunting stories
- lessons learned
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: East Meets West Hunt
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