East Meets West Hunt

Beau Martonik is joined by Steve Sherk of Sherk’s Guide Service. Steve hunts and guides on roughly 100,000 acres of public land in the mountains of Pennsylvania, spending almost everyday in the woods. They discuss how much he relies on historical data, what to do in a heavy mast crop year, using trail cameras for current year intel, why Steve loves hunting in the oaks, anticipating the fall shift, focusing on one timeframe, shot selection, Steve’s experience hunting a specific bed, and much more. Topics: 00:06:06 - Welcome Back, Steve 00:07:51 - Summer's End and Hunting Preparations 00:10:13 - Family and Hunting Priorities 00:10:58 - Insights on Guiding and Client Expectations 00:12:59 - Trail Cameras and Hunting Strategies 00:15:32 - Covering Ground and Deer Patterns 00:18:30 - The Importance of Historical Data 00:20:30 - Shifts in Deer Behavior 00:25:40 - The Impact of Mast Crop Years 00:27:55 - Hunting Strategies During the Rut 00:30:43 - Adapting to Changing Conditions 00:34:28 - The Role of Technology in Hunting 00:39:08 - The Ideal Hunting Environment 00:45:05 - Transitioning from Summer to Fall 00:51:49 - Seasonal Shifts in Deer Behavior 01:04:22 - The Role of Trail Cameras 01:12:03 - Understanding Hunting Strategies 01:23:09 - Making the Shot: Timing and Decisions 01:32:30 - Learning from Experience and Mistakes Note** Timestamps will have roughly 4 minutes added to them depending on ad length. Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik @sherksguideservice Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

Welcome to Gear Talk, a new series of the East Meets West Hunt podcast. The Gear Talk episodes will be short bonus episodes that dive into specific gear items Beau Martonik uses and why. In this episode, Beau and Kurt Martonik discuss bullet and caliber selection, diving into the different bullet types, intended use cases, and everything else to help you better decide the right bullet for the job. Let us know what gear items you have questions about and want to see in a future podcast! Send inquiries to [email protected] with the subject line saying Gear Talk. Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:43 - Why bullet selection is so important 00:06:18 - Solid lead bullets 00:07:03 - Cup and core bullets 00:09:23 - Bonded bullets 00:10:28 - Partition bullets 00:12:21 - Solid copper bullets 00:18:39 - Match bullets 00:23:43 - Following the marketing 00:25:38 - Caliber selection Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik @kurt_the_gunsmith Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

Beau Martonik is joined by legendary Adirondack tracker, Joe DiNitto. Joe has spent his lifetime tracking bucks in the snow in vast wilderness areas throughout the northeast and Montana, with his average buck’s age being 6.5 years old. They discuss how to find a mature buck track in the wilderness, determining how fresh a buck track is, what a big buck track looks like, his process for following a track, realistic practice with your rifle, some hunting stories, and a lot more. This episode was recorded live from Huntstock in New York. Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:10:19 - How to find a mature buck track in the wilderness 00:15:36 - How to determine how fresh a buck track is 00:19:04 - What a mature buck track looks like 00:22:14 - Once you find a track, what’s next 00:34:59 - You jumped the buck you’re tracking, what’s next? 00:40:04 - Most memorable tracking story 00:46:44 - Realistic practice - shooting your rifle 00:53:59 - Iron sights vs. scopes Note** Timestamps will have roughly 4 minutes added to them depending on ad length. Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

Welcome to Gear Talk, a new series of the East Meets West Hunt podcast. The Gear Talk episodes will be short bonus episodes that dive into specific gear items Beau Martonik uses and why. In this episode, Beau discusses his backcountry food system that helps keep him energized, recovered, and healthy while elk hunting, moose hunting, and everywhere else. Let us know what gear items you have questions about and want to see in a future podcast! Send inquiries to [email protected] with the subject line saying Gear Talk. Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:49 - Food System Strategies for Backcountry Hunts 00:02:49 - Breakfast Choices for High Energy - Heather's Choice Buckwheat Breakfast (use code eastmeetswest for free shipping on Heather's Choice meals) or Peak Refuel Breakfast Skillet, MTN Ops Ignite and Hydrate packets, MTN Ops Biotics and Multivitamin (use code BEAU for 20% off MTN Ops products 00:04:11 - Daily Snacking and Nutritional Needs - ProBar Meal, Heather's Choice Packaroons, Amazon Happy Belly Tropical Trail Mix, FATTY 2 oz meat stick, ProBar Protein Bars, Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut butter, Justin's Dark chocolate peanut butter cups 00:04:21 - Special Dietary Considerations 00:06:11 - Dinner Options for Sustained Energy - Heather's Choice Dinners Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

Beau Martonik is joined by Matt Upgren of Northern Forest Whitetail. Matt has compiled over 10 years of trail camera data in Minnesota's north woods to help find the best dates and times to take off work and hunt the rut. They discuss the types of areas where Matt hunts, his remote deer camp, the importance of doe family groups, trail camera locations, the best dates to hunt for mature bucks, the most active times of the day for buck movement, staying alert on all day sits, and much more! Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:39 - Background 00:09:01 - Terrain and Vegetation in the Big Woods of northern Minnesota 00:12:41 - The Importance of Doe Family Groups and Rut Funnels 00:21:39 - Hunting Season and the Impact of Timber Wolves 00:26:06 - The Unique Experience of Hunting in a Remote Deer Camp 00:35:54 - Analyzing Trail Camera Data for Hunting Strategies 00:49:47 - Analyzing Deer Movement Patterns 01:03:55 - The Best Times of the Day to Hunt for Bucks 01:14:43 - The Importance of Staying Alert in a Tree stand 01:21:17 - Finding a Balance Between Grinding and Recharging 01:25:07 - Using Historical Data to Increase Hunting Success Note** Timestamps will have roughly 4 minutes added to them depending on ad length. Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

Welcome to Gear Talk, a new series of the East Meets West Hunt podcast. The Gear Talk episodes will be short bonus episodes that dive into specific gear items Beau Martonik uses and why. In this episode, Beau discusses his essential clothing system for September archery elk hunting, focusing on an eight-piece layering system for an upcoming trip to Montana. Let us know what gear items you have questions about and want to see in a future podcast! Send inquiries to [email protected] with the subject line saying Gear Talk. Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:49 - Introduction to Elk Hunting Gear 00:02:15 - Base Layer Essentials - SITKA Merino 120 00:07:10 - Active Mid Layer Choices - SITKA Intercept Hoody or Ambient 75 00:08:22 - Windproof and Insulation Layers - SITKA Intercept pants, Jetstream Vest, and Kelvin Aerolite Jacket 00:11:04 - Rain Gear and Accessories - SITKA Dewpoint Jacket and Pants, Merino beanie, Merino gloves, Jetstream beanie, EMW x SITKA trucker hat 00:12:31 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

Beau Martonik is joined by Zach Bowhay of Hunt DIY and Elk Hunt. Zach has been successful elk hunting with any and all tactics. They discuss the challenges for obtaining elk tags and a plan to still get them, adapting tactics as landscapes change, the mental part of elk hunting, hunting the same spot vs. new areas, understanding elk behavior, what the characteristics of the best elk hunters are, and much more! Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:52 - The Growing Interest in Whitetail Hunting Among Western Hunters 00:14:54 - Challenges of Obtaining Elk Tags in Idaho 00:25:34 - Managing Populations and Balancing Opportunity and Experience 00:31:09 - Adapting Tactics for Success in Changing Hunting Landscapes 00:34:26 - Adaptability and Continuous Learning 00:44:55 - The Importance of Putting in the Time and Effort 00:48:30 - The Mental Aspect of Elk Hunting: Grit and Perseverance 00:53:46 - Preparation and Controlling the Controllables 01:05:40 - The Value of Familiar Spots and Exploring New Areas 01:13:03 - The Value of Learning Different Hunting Techniques 01:19:33 - Understanding Elk Behavior for Successful Spot and Stalk Hunts 01:25:34 - The Importance of Having a Plan and Being Adaptable 01:34:58 - Building a Network of Reliable Hunting Partners Note** Timestamps will have roughly 4 minutes added to them depending on ad length. Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik @hunt_diy @elk_hunt_ Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

Welcome to Gear Talk, a new series of the East Meets West Hunt podcast. The Gear Talk episodes will be short bonus episodes that dive into specific gear items Beau Martonik uses and why. In this episode, Beau breaks down the types of hunting saddles, hunting saddle safety, how to choose a saddle for hunting, the most comfortable hunting saddle, the lightest weight saddle for hunting, the best hunting saddle on a budget, and breaks down the entire Timber Ninja Outdoors line of hunting saddles. Let us know what gear items you have questions about and want to see in a future podcast! Send inquiries to [email protected] with the subject line saying Gear Talk. Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:42 - Gear Talk Introduction 00:02:08 - Getting Started with Saddle Hunting 00:03:09 - Importance of Safety in Saddle Hunting 00:04:55 - Choosing Between Single and Double Panel Saddles 00:06:43 - Key Features to Consider in a Hunting Saddle 00:08:56 - Attaching Saddle Platforms and Climbing Sticks to a saddle 00:10:43 - Timber Ninja Nano: Lightweight Option (Outdoor Life's Best Lightweight Saddle of 2024) 00:13:01 - Timber Ninja Ultimate: Most Comfortable Saddle for Rut Hunting (Outdoor Life's Best Overall Saddle of 2024) 00:15:31 - Timber Ninja Black Belt: Budget-Friendly Two-Pannel Saddle 00:17:16 - Conclusion and Recommendations Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

On today’s episode, Beau Martonik is joined by New Jersey native, Paul Putera. Paul finds consistent success in the mountains, the big woods, and the low-lying marsh country. They discuss trail camera placement on key sign, consistent habitat to find big bucks, why buck bedding isn’t always consistent in the big woods, mast crop influence on deer movement, understanding deer behavior, building confidence in spots, and much more! Topics: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:54 - Introduction and Catching Up 00:07:45 - The Importance of Scouting and Using Trail Cameras 00:13:19 - Targeting High-Traffic Areas with Signpost Rubs 00:19:47 - Adapting to Hunting Pressure in Different Areas 00:25:00 - The Impact of Environmental Factors on Deer Behavior 00:28:18 - The Importance of Patience and Persistence in Big Woods Hunting 00:35:52 - The Impact of Gypsy Moth Kills and Sunlight Availability 00:36:58 - The Influence of Mast Crops on Deer Behavior 00:40:04 - Strategies for Hunting Late Season Bucks 00:44:01 - The Importance of Patience and Confidence in Hunting 00:50:13 - The Role of Scouting and Trail Cameras in Deer Hunting 01:09:58 - Understanding Deer Behavior and Habitat 01:11:05 - The Significance of Tracking Deer in the Snow 01:13:01 - Hunting in the Adirondacks: Challenges and Opportunities 01:16:30 - Using Trail Cameras and Staying Organized 01:26:00 - Adapting and Being Open-Minded in Hunting Note** Timestamps will have roughly 4 minutes added to them depending on ad length. Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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

Welcome to Gear Talk, a new series of the East Meets West Hunt podcast. The Gear Talk episodes will be short bonus episodes that dive into specific gear items Beau Martonik uses and why. In this episode, he and his hunting partner, Ethan Demi, discuss their backcountry first aid kits on a moose hunt in Alaska. First aid kits aren't the most exciting topic to discuss, but you can save your life with some basic training and essentials. Let us know what gear items you have questions about and want to see in a future podcast! Send inquiries to [email protected] with the subject line saying Gear Talk. Topics: 00:02:18 - Introduction to First Aid Kits 00:03:29 - Contents of the First Aid Kit - MTN OPS Flash 1L Bag (orange) Use BEAU for 20% off MTN OPS Uncharted Triage kit - 10 UCO storm matches, 6 fabric 1x3in bandages, 4 - 7 in zip ties, 2 - Fabric 2x4in bandaids, 3 safety pins, 2 aspirin 2/pack, 4 PDI lub jelly, 2 - wound closure strips 5/pk, flat pack 5 yd duct tape, 2' 22 gauge bailing wire, Emergency mylar blanket, 00:04:58 - Additional Items in the Kit Allergy meds, cold meds, med wrap, tourniquet, leukotape, immodium, super glue, quickclot, ibuprofen, cough drops, peppermint stomach pills, first aid book 00:06:01 - Importance of Tourniquet Placement 00:06:36 - Components of a Trauma Kit 00:06:59 - Importance of First Aid Training and Reference Guide Resources: Instagram:   @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik @demiethan Facebook:   East Meets West Outdoors  Website/Apparel/Deals: 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