About this episode

Derrick from Whitetail Research discusses insights gained from thermal drone flights about mature buck behavior and hunting strategies.

Derrick from Whitetail Research joins Jake Hofer to break down what thousands of thermal drone flights have revealed about mature buck behavior. Derrick shares some of his findngs from thousands of thermal drone flights. Why mature bucks aren't always bedding where hunters expect. The surprising differences between hill country and ag country. Summer bachelor groups and what actually happens before the season. Early-season mistakes that cost hunters opportunities. Whether trail cameras are giving hunters an incomplete picture. How hunting pressure, human activity, and access influence mature bucks. Connect with Mark Kenyon , Jake Hofer , and MeatEater Mark Kenyon on Instagram ,  Twitter , and Facebook MeatEater on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , and Youtube Clips Subscribe to The MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Wired to Hunt Merch and  MeatEater Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Jake Hofer

Guest: Derrick

Topics covered

• thermal drones
• mature buck behavior
• hunting strategies
• trail cameras
• hunting pressure
• season preparation

Keywords

• thermal drones
• big bucks
• hunting pressure
• trail cameras
• bedding behavior
• hill country
• ag country

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Whitetail Research, MeatEater

More episodes of Wired To Hunt Podcast

• Ep. 1054: Foundations - Why We All Need To Relearn the Same Old Deer · July 21, 2026 · 18 min
• Announcing: Blood Trails, Paradise Prison · July 16, 2026 · 1 min
• Ep. 1053: The Jared Mills Trail Cam Masterclass · July 16, 2026 · 1h 12m
• Ep. 1052: Foundations - The Evolution of Trail Cameras and How Hunters Still Use Them Wrong · July 14, 2026 · 17 min
• Ep. 1050: Foundations - Summer Buck Diets and the Rut Connection · July 7, 2026 · 17 min
• Ep. 1049: Then vs. Now: 15 Years of Trailcam Tactic Evolution with Dan Johnson · July 2, 2026 · 1h 12m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Wired To Hunt Podcast podcast page.