In this episode, we sit down with Derrick Dixon, founder of Whitetail Research, to dig into his groundbreaking thermal‑drone study of mature bucks. We unpack what drone footage reveals that GPS collar data often misses, explore why bucks move when they do (and when they don’t), and talk real tactics you can test this fall.
Derrick’s story: how quitting his job and tracking deer for a full season led to one of the most talked-about whitetail projects on YouTube
Why thermal drones expose movement patterns GPS collars can’t
What triggers a mature buck to stand up, and how wind, thermals, and light interact
How to hunt “movement windows” most hunters never realize are happening
Practical tactics for everyday hunters—no expensive gear required
How staging areas, terrain edges, and overlooked travel corridors can be decoded by thermal flight patterns
🔬 Whitetail Research Website: whitetailresearch.net
🎥 Whitetail Research on YouTube (Derrick Dixon): youtube.com/@WhitetailResearch
Featured video: What 1 YEAR of Thermal Whitetail Research Taught Me
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