Backbone Unlimited Podcast

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most painful and overlooked reasons elk seasons fall apart: unrealistic time expectations. Too many hunters head into September believing a three-, four-, or five-day hunt is enough, only to walk out frustrated, confused, and convinced the elk weren’t talking or weren’t in the unit. In reality, the real problem is time—or more accurately, the lack of it and how it’s misused.

Matt explains why short elk hunts almost always function as scouting trips, not true hunts, and why it takes multiple...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky tackles one of the most overlooked reasons elk seasons fall apart: fatigue, discipline, and burnout. Gear, calling, wind, e-scouting, and strategy all matter—but the moment you get tired, sloppy, impatient, or mentally worn down, none of it works anymore. Elk hunting has a way of exposing how prepared you really are, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, especially deep into September.

Matt breaks down why slowing down actually improves your odds, how mental fatigue quietly destroys stalks and setups, and why lack of preseason training always shows up...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked reasons elk seasons fall apart for Western hunters: not having a repeatable hunting system. Not a calling system. Not a gear system. Not a shooting system. A complete, disciplined hunting system that gives structure, direction, and purpose to every hour on the mountain. Most hunters don’t fail because they don’t work hard—they fail because they hunt randomly, react emotionally, and make decisions without a plan.

This episode lays out a clear, repeatable elk hunting system built around six core pillar...

In this 8-part Backbone Unlimited compilation, Matt Hartsky breaks down the most common—and most costly—reasons elk seasons fall apart for Western hunters. This series pulls together eight full-length episodes that expose the real problems behind failed elk hunts, from mindset mistakes and poor movement interpretation to wind misreads, calling errors, bad e-scouting, unrealistic time expectations, physical fatigue, and mental burnout. These aren’t surface-level tips. This is a full systems breakdown of why hunters struggle in September and how to fix it.

Across the compilation, Matt explains why elk don’t disappear—they adapt. You’ll learn how...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most important skills in Western hunting: understanding terrain, wind, thermals, and e-scouting at a functional level. Most hunters think e-scouting is dropping pins and circling basins. The hunters who consistently find elk and mule deer see something deeper. They can look at a map and immediately understand how animals move, where they bed, how wind and thermals behave, and why certain terrain consistently holds game while other areas stay empty.

This episode delivers the full Backbone Unlimited Terrain and E-Scouting Glossary, covering 101 essential terrain...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down 101 mule deer facts every Western hunter should know, not as trivia, but as a complete behavioral blueprint for consistently finding and hunting mature bucks. Mule deer are one of the most misunderstood big game animals in the West, and most hunters struggle because they hunt fast, reactive, and scattered—while mule deer survive on consistency, memory, habit, and instinct. This episode explains how mule deer actually think, feed, move, bed, and avoid pressure, and why understanding those patterns is the difference between seeing deer and killing mature bucks.

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In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down 101 elk facts every Western hunter needs to understand, not as trivia, but as a complete behavioral framework for consistently finding, stalking, and killing elk on public land. Elk are one of the most misunderstood animals in the West, and most hunters struggle because they chase randomness instead of recognizing patterns. This episode explains how elk survive by following repeatable systems built around terrain, wind, thermals, herd dynamics, pressure avoidance, feeding cycles, and vocal communication. When you understand these systems, elk behavior stops feeling unpredictable and starts making sense on...

In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky sits down for a long-awaited and deeply personal conversation with his son, Saxton Hartsky, founder of Wildborn Outdoors. This episode is not about highlight reels or chasing validation through kills. It’s a raw, experience-driven breakdown of what disciplined, intentional western hunting actually looks like when patience, preparation, and respect for the animal guide every decision. Matt and Saxton unpack how hunting became Saxton’s identity, how relentless effort and miles in the field shaped his instincts, and why some hunters consistently separate themselves from the rest over time.

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down why snow is one of the biggest advantages a western mule deer hunter can get. Most hunters see snow as a burden — cold, wet, and miserable — but snow is actually a gift. It wipes the mountain clean and turns mule deer behavior into a readable map. Fresh snow reveals exactly where bucks fed, where they moved, how recently they passed, and which pockets they’re holding. It shrinks their world, tightens their patterns, and gives you timing you’ll never get in bare-ground conditions. Matt explains how to read tracks, pellets, beds, feed loo...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the biggest late-season mule deer hunting mistakes that cost hunters mature bucks every single December. When the snow piles up, the days shrink, and deer tighten into their smallest home ranges of the year, the entire hunt changes. Bucks aren’t cruising, chasing, or wasting energy. They’re conserving calories, bedding tight, and only moving when light, thermals, or weather tell them to. Most hunters fail because they show up with a September mindset, move too fast, glass the obvious, rush stalks, and hunt where deer were instead of where deer are righ...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the hardest and most rewarding ways to kill a mature mule deer: still-hunting bucks in the timber. These are the deer that refuse to live in the open, vanish into shadows, and survive by slipping through cover most hunters never take the time to understand. Matt explains why older bucks choose dark timber over open country, how they use shade, structure, thermals, and micro-terrain to stay alive, and why the first two layers of trees often hold the biggest deer on the mountain. This episode takes you deep into the...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky steps away from tactics and dives into the deeper reasons hunters keep showing up year after year. This isn’t a gear breakdown or a strategy session. It’s a raw look at the purpose behind hunting and why the lifestyle carries so much weight for anyone who lives it with intention. Matt walks through why food sits at the foundation of everything he does in the mountains, why providing clean, earned meat matters, and how taking responsibility for every part of the process connects you back to something most people never experience anymore. He t...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to hunt low-elevation mule deer when winter pushes them out of the high country and into the foothills, sage flats, creek bottoms, and broken terrain near the valley floor. A lot of hunters struggle in this country because it looks too open, too close to the road, or too chaotic to make sense of. Deer seem scattered, does pile into the obvious feed, and mature bucks appear to vanish. But once you understand how mule deer transition into winter range — and how older bucks carve out small, overlooked pockets down low — the...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most critical but misunderstood phases in mule deer hunting: what happens when mature bucks leave the does at the end of the rut — and how to adjust your tactics to find and kill them. Through November, bucks run themselves ragged. They chase, fight, cover country, and glue themselves to doe groups with zero regard for energy or security. But when breeding tapers off, that entire behavior pattern collapses almost overnight. Bucks slip away from the chaos, retreat into micro-habitats, and fall back into survival mode. If you’ve ever glas...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly how to glass mule deer efficiently when daylight is limited — a challenge every late-season hunter faces. Once December arrives, the sun hangs low, mornings brighten slowly, evenings disappear fast, and the usable windows where mature bucks actually move get brutally short. If you’re not in position before gray light hits, you lose the highest-value minutes of the entire day. And when bucks are conserving energy, bedding tight, and feeding in surgical little windows, missing those early minutes can cost you the only mature deer you might see.

Matt walk...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down why south-facing slopes are absolute gold for December mule deer, especially if your goal is finding mature bucks after the rut. Once November ends and bucks peel away from the does, everything in their world becomes about conserving and rebuilding energy. The mountains get colder, snow piles up, and winter forces mule deer into terrain that keeps them alive with the least amount of effort. No slope type delivers more consistent food, warmth, and predictable thermals in early winter than a good south face.

Matt explains how sunlight transforms these...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most misunderstood but consistently productive windows in all of Western mule deer hunting: how to hunt migrating mule deer bucks along the elevation corridors they’ve used for generations. Migration is nothing like rut hunting or early-season patterning. These deer aren’t wandering—they’re following predictable terrain structure as they drop from high-country summer range to low-elevation winter habitat. When snow, weather, feed, and timing line up, the mountains come alive with downhill movement, and if you can identify the corridors correctly, you can intercept mature bucks with remarkab...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most explosive windows in Western big-game hunting—finding rutting mule deer in November. If you’ve spent years grinding for mature bucks without connecting the dots, this conversation will change the way you hunt the rut. November is when everything shifts. Bucks that hid in dark timber all fall suddenly travel in daylight, check doe groups, make mistakes, and expose themselves in ways they simply don’t earlier in the season. But predictable rut movement doesn’t mean easy hunting. You need to understand does, terrain, weather, elevation, and timing i...

In this episode Matt Hartsky walks you through exactly how the 2026 Arizona Big Game Draw works for non-residents who are applying for elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. Whether you’ve been waiting years to draw a tag or you’re new to the draw game, Matt simplifies the process so you know what to expect before you hit “submit.”

He explains how Arizona’s point system works, the timing of applications, how to allocate preference points, and how to optimize your odds when competing with thousands of other hunters. Matt breaks down key mistakes to avoid — from misreading d...

In this episode, Matt Hartsky steps away from tactics and gear talk and dives into the real reasons hunters keep showing up year after year. Thanksgiving week slows life down just enough for you to look back and realize how much this lifestyle actually gives you. Not the tags. Not the antlers. Not the grip-and-grins. The deeper stuff—the things that shape you long after the season ends.

Matt breaks down why opportunity on public land is something hunters should never take for granted, and why the freedom to chase elk, mule deer, antelope, or bear across mi...

Utah is one of the most structured and strategic big-game draw systems in the West, and if you’re a non-resident looking to hunt bull elk, mule deer, or pronghorn here, you need to understand how the point systems, timelines, and permit allocations actually work. In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the Utah application process step-by-step so you can build a smart long-term plan with clear expectations. Utah relies on both bonus points and preference points, and while the terminology often sounds similar, each system plays a very different role for non-residents. If you’ve ever stared at Utah...

Montana is one of the most opportunity-rich Western big game states, but for non-residents, understanding how to apply can feel like wading through a maze. In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the Montana draw system step-by-step so you can approach your 2026 elk, mule deer, and pronghorn plan with confidence. Montana’s system looks complicated on paper because it uses multiple license types, preference points, bonus points, general tags, and limited-entry permits. But once you understand how these layers interact, the process becomes one of the most strategic ways to hunt consistently in the West.

Matt begins wi...

This episode kicks off a brand-new, ten-month training series designed specifically for backcountry elk and mule deer hunters. As November rolls in and the season wraps up, most hunters shut it down and wait for spring to start preparing. That’s the number one reason so many guys feel wrecked halfway through a long hunt. Real preparation begins now. This is Phase One: The Foundation. It’s the base layer of strength, stability, and endurance that every later phase depends on. If you want to hunt harder next season, pack deeper, and perform at altitude without falling apart after a fe...

If you’ve ever considered applying for elk, mule deer, or pronghorn tags in New Mexico as a non-resident, this episode breaks down one of the most unique and misunderstood draw systems in Western big-game hunting. New Mexico does not use preference points or bonus points, meaning every applicant starts fresh each year with the same odds. Whether it’s your first time applying or you’ve been in the game for a decade, everyone enters on equal footing. That’s a huge advantage for newer hunters, but only if you understand how the system actually works. In this episode...

If you’re planning to hunt elk, mule deer, or pronghorn in Colorado as a non-resident, this episode breaks the entire application process down step-by-step so you can approach it with confidence. Colorado offers more big-game opportunity than almost any state in the West, but navigating preference points, qualifying licenses, hunt codes, and non-resident tag caps can feel overwhelming without a clear roadmap. In this conversation, Matt Hartsky explains how Colorado’s primary draw, secondary draw, and leftover or reissued license sales connect, why understanding each phase matters, and how to avoid the costly mistakes that keep hunters on the...

Hunting mountain whitetails in the West is nothing like chasing farmland deer back East. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to hunt western whitetails across rugged terrain in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and the Dakotas. These deer live in steep ridges, broken timber, river bottoms, and foothills where elevation, thermals, and weather dictate every move. You’ll learn how western mountain whitetails behave differently than their flatland cousins, how they travel longer distances, bed in vertical country, and use wind and terrain to stay alive. We cover how mountain whitetails choose bedding based on slope di...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, host Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly how to apply for Wyoming big game as a non-resident — one of the most misunderstood but opportunity-rich draw systems in the West. If you’ve ever logged onto the Wyoming Game and Fish website and felt confused about the difference between preference points, regular and special draws, or the 90/10 tag split, this episode walks you through every detail step by step.

Matt explains Wyoming’s hybrid draw system—how it blends preference points with random odds—and what that means for elk, mule deer, and antelope h...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, host Matt Hartsky breaks down the mindset and process that separates casual hunters from consistent ones — the off-season planning that starts long before next year’s tags are even available. Success in the mountains doesn’t begin on opening day; it starts months earlier with the decisions, habits, and preparation you build when everyone else is shutting down for the year.

Matt walks through his complete system for post-season reflection, goal setting, budgeting, and hunt planning, showing exactly how to evaluate your past season, identify what worked and what didn’t, and turn...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most misunderstood transitions in all of elk hunting—post-rut elk behavior. When October rolls around and the bugles fade, most hunters walk into the woods wondering where the elk went. The same basins that were loud with bulls a week earlier suddenly fall silent. But they didn’t disappear—they changed everything about how they move, feed, and survive.

Matt explains how bulls shift from high-energy rut mode to pure recovery. He dives deep into where they go after breeding season, how their priorities flip f...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the biggest reasons elk seem to “vanish” in October—hunting pressure. When the rut ends and bugles fade, most hunters think the elk have moved miles away. The truth is, they’re still there—but they’ve adapted. Pressure from hunters changes everything about how elk behave: where they feed, how they travel, when they move, and even where they rest. Learning to read those changes is what separates frustrated hunters from consistent ones.

Matt explains exactly how pressured elk react after weeks of calling, traffic, and...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked factors in successful mule deer hunting—weather. Every front that sweeps across the West changes everything about how deer behave. It affects where they feed, bed, travel, and rut. Whether you hunt in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, or Colorado, understanding how weather drives mule deer movement from October through November can completely change how you plan your hunts.

Matt explains how early cold snaps, shifting wind, and temperature drops cause does to move first—and how those movements trigger bucks to follow. He cove...

The late season is where the real divide between archery and rifle hunting begins.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how everything changes from mid-October through November—the weather, the animal behavior, and your tactics. As the rut fades and survival takes over, elk and mule deer transition into new patterns that demand totally different approaches. Whether you’re carrying a bow or a rifle, adapting to this phase is the difference between hiking home empty and tagging out when most hunters have already quit.

Matt explains how post-rut elk behavior and...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, host Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked but consistently productive parts of November hunting strategy—how to find and hunt transition zones for elk and mule deer. When the rut ends and the mountains go quiet, many hunters assume the animals have vanished. The truth is, they’ve just shifted into smaller, safer corridors that connect everything they need: food, cover, and movement routes.

Matt explains what transition zones really are, why they matter most in November, and how to locate and hunt them with precision. He covers how...

When elk seem unpredictable, the terrain is telling you exactly where they’re going—you just have to learn how to read it.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked tactics in elk hunting—how to find and hunt natural funnels that guide elk movement between feeding, bedding, and safety zones. Every herd on the mountain follows a rhythm shaped by food, security, and terrain. By understanding how ridges, saddles, benches, and drainages quietly funnel elk through specific corridors, you can start predicting movement instead of chasing it.

Matt...

When the bugles fade and the mountains go quiet, most hunters call it a season. But that’s when the real challenge begins.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to spot and stalk lone bulls after the rut—when survival, not dominance, drives every move they make. You’ll learn how to read post-rut elk behavior, where bulls go to recover after weeks of chaos, and how to use glassing, wind, and terrain to move in without being detected.

Matt walks through every phase of this process in detail—from finding...

October separates hunters who chase elk from those who understand them.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to glass October bulls in transition zones—the overlooked pockets where post-rut elk recover, feed, and survive when the mountains go quiet. After the chaos of September fades, bulls retreat into small, protected sanctuaries that hold feed, water, shade, and safety. Learning how to find and glass these zones is what turns October from a frustrating lull into one of the most rewarding times of the season.

Matt explains how to identify productive mi...

When the bugles fade and the herds scatter, most hunters think elk season is over. But it isn’t—it just changes form.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky explains what really happens to elk herds after the rut ends—and how to hunt smarter when the chaos turns quiet. September’s unity gives way to October’s separation as bulls peel off to recover, cows and calves regroup into smaller family units, and pressure, weather, and predators reshape the mountain.

Matt breaks down how herd dynamics fracture after breeding, why bulls vanish into recov...

After the rut ends and the mountains go quiet, most hunters think the elk have disappeared. The truth is—they’ve just changed the rules.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of October elk hunting: how cow and calf movement shifts after the rut and how that change dictates where bulls, pressure, and opportunity all stack up on the mountain.

Matt explains the full post-rut reset—how big herds dissolve into smaller family groups, how those cows and calves move down through elevation bands, and why th...

In October, the mountains change every day—and so do the elk. One day it’s hot and still, the next it’s snowing sideways. Those shifting weather fronts don’t just change how it feels to hunt—they completely rewrite how elk move, feed, and bed.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to read the sky the same way you read sign on the mountain. You’ll learn how barometric pressure, wind, and temperature swings shape elk movement before, during, and after a front, and how to time your hunts to line up with...

Snow changes everything in the elk woods—and in October, it can make or break your hunt.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky dives deep into how October elk behavior shifts when storms roll in versus when the mountains stay bare. You’ll learn exactly how snow vs no-snow conditions affect elk movement, bedding, and feeding patterns—and more importantly, how to adapt your tactics to stay in the game when everyone else is lost.

Matt breaks down what happens during warm, dry Octobers when elk linger high, scattered across post-rut zones, and how ea...

By October, the rut is over—and so is the chaos. The bulls that were screaming across the mountain just weeks ago are silent, thin, and focused on survival. That’s when everything about elk behavior changes, and the hunters who understand what drives them now keep filling tags long after everyone else goes home.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly what elk eat in October and how their entire survival strategy revolves around food. You’ll learn why bulls shift from high-protein summer forbs to energy-rich shrubs and browse, how frost and sl...

After the bugles fade and the rut chaos dies down, most hunters walk off the mountain thinking the season’s over. But that silence doesn’t mean the elk are gone—it means their priorities have changed.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the complete post-rut transformation that happens between October and November—how bulls recover, relocate, and survive after the rut ends. You’ll learn why mature bulls vanish into dark timber, what fuels their feeding and bedding choices, and how to adjust your tactics to match their new rhythm.

Matt expla...

When the bugles fade and the rut chaos dies down, October becomes a thinking man’s month — and mastering ridges and high points is the difference between hiking blind and hunting with purpose.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to use ridges, thermals, and elevation to your advantage when hunting elk and mule deer in October. You’ll learn how to identify productive ridge systems, where to glass from, and how to dissect mountain country efficiently when animals go quiet and pressure rises.

Matt explains how to spot travel ridges versus...

Most hunters walk past the best elk spots in October—and that’s exactly why they stay full of elk.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the truth about October elk hunting and how to find the hidden pockets where bulls and cows vanish after the rut. The bugles fade, the pressure rises, and the mountains feel empty—but the elk haven’t disappeared. They’ve shifted into overlooked terrain: dark timber pockets, north-facing rims, mid-elevation benches, hidden seeps, burn edges, and the steep, nasty holes no one wants to hike into.

Matt exp...

When the mountains freeze and the bugles stop, late-season hunting becomes a game of clues—and the hunters who win are the ones who can read them right.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most important cold-weather skills a hunter can have: judging the freshness of sign when everything’s frozen. After three decades of late-season Western hunts, Matt shares exactly how he reads tracks, droppings, beds, and scent in the snow and frost to determine whether animals are still close—or long gone.

You’ll learn how freezing...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down everything nonresident hunters need to know about applying for big game tags in Idaho—including the major changes coming for the 2026 season. Idaho has always stood out among Western states for doing things differently, and this year it takes another big step: moving from the old first-come, first-served system to a structured draw for nonresident general elk, mule deer, and pronghorn tags.

Matt explains how the new two-window draw system works, when to apply, and how to avoid the costly mistakes that ruin most applications. You’ll lear...

When the rut ends and the mountains go quiet, most hunters think October is a dead zone. But the truth is, it’s one of the best times to tag a bull—if you understand bedding-to-feeding patterns.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how elk transition from the chaos of September to the calculated survival mode of October. You’ll learn how post-rut elk behavior shifts once bulls are worn down and focused on food, cover, and safety, and why mastering these bedding-to-feeding patterns gives you the biggest edge of the season.

Matt...

When the bugles stop and the snow starts to fall, most hunters hang it up—but the best elk hunters know that late season success comes down to one skill: glassing smarter.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down everything he’s learned from more than 30 years of chasing bulls through the western mountains during the toughest part of the season. This is a masterclass in late season elk hunting tactics—from understanding how post-rut bulls use terrain and cover, to learning where to glass when the mountains go quiet.

You’ll hear how...

When September ends, most hunters think the show’s over. The bugles fade, the herds scatter, and the mountain goes quiet. But for those who know what’s really happening, October elk hunting is one of the best windows of the entire season.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the shift from rut to post-rut — what mature bulls do when the chaos stops and survival begins. You’ll learn how to locate solitary bulls after the rut, what makes them go underground, and why the biggest bulls of the year vanish into cover while ev...

Welcome to Backbone Unlimited with Matt Hartsky — where experience meets strategy for the western elk hunter.

In this episode, Matt breaks down one of the most important tactical questions every elk hunter faces: Should you spot-and-stalk or sit tight in an ambush? Both methods can produce results, but the key is knowing when each works best. Using decades of experience across multiple western states, Matt walks through how elk behavior shifts from early September through the post-rut — and how adapting your approach can turn empty days into filled tags.

You’ll learn how to read early...

September elk don’t just chase cows—they chase calories. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt breaks down how feed quality, beetle kill, and burns truly dictate elk movement—and how to turn those habitat shifts into high-odds hunts. Learn why bulls, cows, and calves key on different foods through the month, how forage quality evolves from early to late September, and what that means for daily travel distance and timing. We dissect beetle-kill country (edge use, deadfall travel lanes, visibility/security tradeoffs) and fire scars from 1–3 years (feed magnets) to 4–10+ years (browse/bedting and cover), plus how pressure p...

Evening elk hunts give you one short window—just a couple of hours after work or before dark. That limited time can be pure gold if you know how to play it, but a disaster if you don’t. Success in the evenings comes down to one thing: discipline. The right entry, the right setup, and the right wind management can put elk in your lap when everyone else is blowing their chance at last light.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down evening elk strategies that work. You’ll learn how to set up in tra...

Opening weekend feels electric—bugles echoing, fresh sign everywhere, elk seemingly around every corner. But fast forward a few days and the mountain goes quiet. Bugles taper off, tracks fade, and it feels like the elk vanished. They didn’t. They adapted.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down where elk really go after opening week and how you can stay in the game when the easy action dies down. We’ll cover the “pressure push” and how hunter traffic changes elk behavior, why refuge zones and overlooked hideouts hold elk when everyone else is striking o...

One day the mountains are alive with bugles, the next they go dead silent—and that’s when most hunters lose confidence. Silence makes guys hike aimlessly, burn daylight, and even pack it in early. But elk haven’t vanished. They’re still there, living tighter, quieter patterns. The hunters who adapt are the ones who keep filling tags.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down how to stay lethal when the bugles disappear. You’ll learn how to reset your mindset, diagnose why the woods went quiet—whether it’s pressure, weather, or rut timing—read wi...

Hot weather can turn September elk hunts upside down. Instead of crisp mornings and fired-up bugles, you’re left with sluggish elk hiding in shade and moving only in short windows. But here’s the truth — warm weather doesn’t make elk unhuntable. It just means you need to adjust your tactics.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down how elk behave when the mountains heat up and how you can adapt to stay in the game. We’ll cover why water sources become magnets, how shade shifts bedding patterns, when to key in on midday mov...

DIY public land elk hunting means one thing—you will face pressure. Trucks at every trailhead, bugles echoing from every ridge, hunters crisscrossing the same basins. For most guys, that pressure breaks their mindset before they ever find a bull. But the truth is, pressured elk don’t vanish. They adapt. And if you’re willing to adapt with them, you can still fill tags in crowded units.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I lay out the playbook for thriving when the mountain feels like a zoo. You’ll learn how to control your mindset when the pres...

Every elk hunter gets busted—it’s not a matter of if, but when. The real question is what you do next. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down exactly how to handle those gut-punch moments when elk blow out of a setup and leave you standing there with nothing but silence and a racing heart.

We’ll cover why patience after a bust is your best weapon, how to diagnose whether it was wind, sight, or sound that spooked them, and how to relocate elk that didn’t actually leave the country—they just shifted to...

September is finally here—the month western hunters live for. But too many guys blow their shot before they ever see an elk. They march straight to a GPS pin, hike like tourists, and dump their scent into the best country before the day even starts. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down how to approach your area with discipline, patience, and predator-like intent.

We’ll cover why your hunt starts the second you step off the road, how to use morning thermals to your advantage, and why transition zones are funnels you can trust ever...

In elk country, no law is more absolute than the law of the wind. You can get away with a missed call, a snapped twig, or a blown setup—but the second an elk catches your scent, the hunt is over. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I’m breaking down the science and strategy behind wind and thermals—the invisible force that dictates every move elk make and every decision you should make as a hunter.

We’ll cover the daily cycle of thermals, how weather and terrain bend air currents, and why elk bed, feed, and trav...

Elk hunting success isn’t about luck—and it’s not even always about skill. It’s about persistence. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down why time in the field is the single biggest factor separating consistent elk killers from the guys who go home empty.

We’ll cover the myth of quick success, why most bulls are killed on the back half of a hunt, and how each extra day compounds your chances of opportunity. You’ll learn how to push through the mental grind, manage your energy for the long game, and turn slow mo...

Elk hunting in September isn’t static. The bulls you find on opening day aren’t behaving the same way two weeks later. Hunting pressure reshapes everything—bugling, travel routes, and daylight activity. The difference between success and frustration comes down to whether you adapt as quickly as the elk do.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down how bulls respond to hunting pressure week by week. You’ll learn what makes opening week so electric, how bulls adjust once trucks and calls flood the mountains, and why mid-September forces them to balance rut intensity with sur...

What do you do when the bugles stop? In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down how to hunt elk when the mountains go quiet. Silent bulls frustrate even seasoned hunters, but they’re far from unkillable—you just need a different playbook.

We’ll cover why elk go silent—pressure, weather, rut timing, and herd dynamics—and how to adapt with woodsmanship instead of relying on bugles. You’ll learn how to read fresh sign, set ambushes in travel corridors, and move with discipline through timber. I’ll show you how to use subtle calling when it matter...

Killing a bull is only half the hunt—the real test begins with the packout. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down everything you need to know about hauling elk meat off the mountain—mentally, physically, and strategically.

We’ll cover the mental game of embracing the grind, the gear that makes heavy loads possible, how to manage weight and multiple trips, navigating brutal terrain, and staying safe when fatigue sets in. I’ll also share lessons I’ve learned the hard way—mistakes that turned into nightmares, and strategies that made the difference between misery and s...

Opening day of archery elk season can make or break your entire hunt. Most hunters let adrenaline take over and blow their best chances before the sun even rises. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down how to approach day one with discipline and strategy—so you don’t sabotage your season before it starts.

We’ll cover trailhead discipline, how to read sign and sound, when to be aggressive vs. patient, smart calling tactics for pressured elk, positioning for first light and evening hunts, and how to use the “dead hours” of midday to your advan...

In this episode, we’re tackling a piece of elk hunting strategy most hunters overlook: choosing the right camp location. Your tent isn’t just a place to crash—it’s your base of operations. Where you set camp determines how rested you are, how much ground you can cover, and whether elk even stay in the drainage you’re hunting.

I break down the blueprint for picking camp the smart way, including:

The real purpose of camp: comfort vs. mobility, base vs. spike setups

How close is too close to elk country, and why pr...

Every elk hunter loves the dream scenario—ripping a bugle and having a bull scream back, charging in like a freight train. But most of the time, the real skill isn’t in how loud you can call—it’s in knowing when to call. Timing is the difference between pulling a bull into bow range and blowing him out of the drainage.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down the nuts and bolts of calling timing. You’ll learn how to read the moment and decide when to crank up the aggression with bugles, chuckles...

Rutting bulls aren’t random—they’re anchored to cows, and cows are anchored to food. If you’ve ever chased fading bugles or watched a hot basin go silent overnight, this episode connects the dots. I break down why nutrition drives September movement, how cow groups “lock” bulls into predictable patterns, and the exact places to find reliable feed when pressure and weather shift the game.

What you’ll learn:

The truth about rutting bulls (and the myths that waste your time)

How food dictates daily travel: night feed → dawn transition → bedding → evening feed

Mental toughness—not gear, not fitness—is the ultimate deciding factor in Western hunting success. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky dives deep into how grit separates hunters who fill tags from those who head home empty.

You’ll learn how to train your mind before season, push through fatigue and setbacks in the mountains, and stay sharp when elk and mule deer hunts test every ounce of determination. From breaking mental walls to building daily reset routines, this is your guide to mastering the mental side of backcountry hunting.

If you want to hun...

Public land hunting isn’t forgiving—and the truth is, most hunters fail because of small mistakes that add up to big failures. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the 5 biggest mistakes Western hunters make on public land and how to avoid them. From ignoring hunting pressure, sticking to dead zones too long, and underestimating backcountry fitness—to sloppy access routes and waiting for “perfect” conditions—you’ll learn how to hunt elk and mule deer smarter, adapt faster, and increase your success this season.

Whether you’re bowhunting elk in September or glassing mule de...

Archery elk season will humble you—no matter how much gear you buy or how many bugling videos you watch. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky shares 30+ years of uncut bowhunting elk experience: how to build the mental toughness elk hunting demands, create real shot opportunities (not just encounters), call with purpose, and set up for success when bulls finally close the distance.

Whether you’re a new bowhunter or a seasoned DIY public land grinder, this episode breaks down the tactics and mindset shifts that actually kill bulls with a bow—mindset, movement, thermals, callin...

In this Backbone Unlimited episode, Matt Hartsky shares five hard-earned mule deer hunting lessons from 30+ seasons on Western public land. These aren’t generic tips—you’ll learn the real strategies that separate close calls from filled tags. From hunting where mule deer actually live, mastering patience on stalks, understanding wind and thermals, becoming a disciplined glasser, to being ready when kill windows open—these lessons will sharpen your game whether you’re chasing bucks with a bow or rifle.

If you’re serious about mule deer hunting success in the high country, sagebrush, or badlands, this episode will...

What’s the difference between mule deer hunting vs elk hunting? In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the five key differences every serious Western hunter needs to know—behavior, terrain, pressure response, interaction, and mindset. Drawing from over 30 years of boots-on-the-ground experience, Matt shares real-world insights on how elk move as social herd animals versus how mature mule deer bucks live and bed in solitude, why terrain and elevation shape your tactics, how each species responds to hunting pressure, and why elk hunting is tactical while mule deer hunting is surgical.

If you’re a W...

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the hard lessons learned from 33+ years of bowhunting elk. From blown stalks to missed opportunities, he shares the five biggest mistakes that cost him elk—and the lessons that turned failure into success.

You’ll learn why silence kills more bulls than bugles, how to read bugles before you chase them, why your ears matter more than your eyes in tight timber, how to use calling as a tool (not a crutch), and how to master the art of closing the distance without getting busted.

If y...

September elk hunting is where dreams are made—or crushed. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to consistently find rutting bulls during one of the most exciting—and frustrating—months in Western hunting. From Colorado to Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, Matt explains the three phases of September elk behavior, how to adjust your tactics through the month, and why understanding the rut timeline separates successful hunters from the rest. Learn where bulls bed, how cows dictate movement, how pressure changes everything, and the best morning, evening, and midday strategies to put yourself in bow range...

Hunting elk in thick timber is one of the toughest challenges in Western hunting—and one of the most rewarding. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to consistently kill elk in dark, close-quarters timber where bulls move like ghosts and every step matters. Learn how to read elk sign in the thick stuff, move without getting busted, set up and call in tight cover, and make ethical shots when your window is just a few feet wide. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed hunting pressured elk in timber, this episode gives you the strategies, mind...

Are you really ready for elk season—or just hoping you are? In this Backbone Unlimited episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the difference between showing up with a tag and gear versus being truly prepared for the grind of backcountry elk hunting. From training for brutal pack outs, mastering wind and thermals, dialing calling strategy, and building mental toughness, to shooting clean under pressure—this episode gives you the framework to evaluate your true elk hunting readiness. If you’re serious about elk hunting success in the West, this one will expose the gaps and show you how to close...

Elk hunting success doesn’t end with the shot—it depends on how fast and how well you take care of your meat in hot weather. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down proven strategies for keeping elk meat cool, clean, and safe when the temperatures climb. Learn step-by-step tactics for quartering efficiently, cooling meat in the field, using creeks or snow correctly, packing out in extreme heat, and protecting your harvest overnight. Whether you’re chasing bulls in early September archery season or facing a warm rifle hunt, this episode gives you the systems and tools...

Fueling your body is just as important as the boots on your feet or the bow in your hand. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down backcountry hunting nutrition—how to fuel, recover, and sustain energy on multi-day hunts for elk, mule deer, and other Western big game.

With 29+ years as a strength, conditioning, and nutrition coach, Matt has tested it all—carnivore, keto, high-carb, balanced whole food—and he reveals what really works when you’re miles deep, packing heavy, and pushing through long days on the mountain.

Learn how to:

...

Bowhunting elk is brutal—and most hunters fail because of simple, preventable mistakes. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the five biggest archery elk hunting mistakes that cost hunters shot opportunities, close encounters, and entire seasons. From calling without a plan to blowing thermals, moving too aggressively, and falling apart at full draw, Matt explains what goes wrong and exactly how to fix it.

If you want to consistently tag bulls on public land, you need more than good gear and range practice—you need discipline, patience, and a strategy that works when ever...

Finding cow elk is the key to consistent elk hunting success. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly how to locate cow elk during hunting season—and why it matters whether you’re chasing bulls, filling a cow tag, or just trying to put more elk in front of your glass.

You’ll learn how cow elk behavior shifts by season, where to look for bedding and feeding areas, how to identify fresh cow sign, and why understanding travel corridors is the missing link for most hunters. Matt also dives into e-scouting strategies, late-s...

Hunting a giant mule deer buck on public land isn’t luck—it’s a system. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the proven process for finding and killing truly big, mature mule deer. From defining what a “trophy” really is, to scouting overlooked country, glassing like a pro, reading pressure, and executing disciplined stalks, this episode gives you the strategies serious hunters need to chase 180+ inch bucks on their own terms. If you’ve ever dreamed of tagging a monster mule deer with grit, patience, and boots-on-the-ground effort, this episode is your blueprint.

Join TEAM BACKBONE at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

Running out of time before elk season? Don’t panic—this episode is your no-BS survival guide. Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly what to focus on when you’re underprepared and overwhelmed. From quick fitness wins and gear triage to mindset shifts and a simplified hunt plan, you’ll learn how to show up sharp—even if you’re behind. Elk don’t care how prepared you feel—they care how smart you hunt. Let’s get to work.

Join TEAM BACKBONE at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked yet game-changing skills in Western hunting—glassing. Learn how to glass like a predator, not a tourist. Discover field-proven tactics for picking glassing points, using thermals to your advantage, gridding terrain, choosing binos vs spotters, and knowing what to do after you spot an animal. Whether you’re chasing elk or high country mule deer, this episode will teach you how to slow down, see more, and ma...

Join TEAM BACKBONE at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

Want to find more elk in September? It starts with understanding where bulls are going and why. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly how to locate bull elk during the archery rut—based on behavior, food sources, thermals, pressure, and topography. From bachelor groups to bugling bulls, you’ll learn how to use the elk’s own biology and habits to your advantage. This isn’t guesswork. These are proven strategies from 33 years of Western elk hunting on...

Join TEAM BACKBONE at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

If you want to consistently find and kill mature mule deer, you need to stop thinking like a gear junkie and start thinking like a biologist. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down what mule deer actually eat—season by season, elevation by elevation, and region by region. From early spring forbs to late-season bitterbrush, this deep dive into mule deer forage will teach you how to scout smarter, glass more effectively, and hunt bucks where they actually live...

Join TEAM BACKBONE at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

Fall bear hunting is one of the most overlooked opportunities in the West—but it shouldn’t be. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down everything you need to know to turn your bear tag into a real adventure. You’ll learn how to locate food-driven bears, read terrain, master glassing techniques, dial in shot placement, and recover bears with confidence. Whether you’re hunting timbered ridges, berry slopes, or burned-out basins, these public land black bear hunting tips will...

Join TEAM BACKBONE at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

If you're over 40 and wondering whether backcountry elk hunting is still in the cards, this episode is for you. Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly how to stay lethal in the mountains as a seasoned hunter—covering smart physical training, lighter gear loads, better recovery, strategic pacing, and the mindset shift that makes all the difference. Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you’ll learn how to hunt elk smarter, not harder, and prove that grit, experience, and discipline still wi...

Join TEAM BACKBONE at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

Pronghorn hunting isn’t easy—and it’s not supposed to be. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky shares 33 years of real-world experience chasing public land pronghorn across the wide-open West. You’ll learn how to scout smarter, use terrain and wind to your advantage, select killable bucks, and stalk with patience whether you're hunting with a rifle or a bow. From water hole setups to glassing tactics and next-level shot execution, this is your complete guide to earning a speed go...

Join TEAM BACKBONE at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

Learn How to Stalk Mule Deer Like a Predator
In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky shares 33+ years of hard-earned mule deer stalking tactics. From high country velvet bucks to late-season rifle hunts, you’ll learn how to choose the right buck to stalk, master wind and terrain, close the distance undetected, and execute your shot under pressure. Whether you're bowhunting or packing a rifle, this is your complete guide to spotting, planning, and killing mature public land mule deer...

Archery Elk Hunting Tips From 30+ Years in the Field

Where should you aim to ethically kill an elk with a bow? It’s one of the most searched—and most misunderstood—topics in archery elk hunting.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down elk shot placement based on 30+ years of real-world bowhunting experience—not just diagrams or opinions from the internet. If you're serious about making clean, ethical kills and understanding vital zone anatomy, this is the deep-dive you need.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Exactly where to aim on a bro...

Want to Kill More Elk This Season? Start by Understanding Elk Behavior
5 Phases of the Elk Hunting Season – Strategy, Tactics, and Timing That Actually Work

Whether you're new to elk hunting or have decades of experience, success starts with one thing—knowing what elk are doing and why throughout the entire season.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down the five distinct phases of elk season—from early season to late season—so you can stop guessing, adapt your tactics, and finally hunt elk on their terms, not yours.

What You’ll L...

Why Bulls Hang Up—And What to Do Differently

If you’re bowhunting elk and bulls keep hanging up just out of range, this is probably why.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the #1 elk calling mistake most Western bowhunters make—calling too early and from too far away. This single error ruins more close encounters than a bad bugle ever will. And if you’ve had bulls respond, move in, then suddenly go silent… chances are you’ve made this mistake without even realizing it.

What You’ll Learn in This...

Elk Hunting & Mindset Training That Actually Matters

Welcome to Backbone Unlimited—I’m Matt Hartsky. This episode isn’t just about elk hunting strategies or backcountry gear. It’s about the deeper, harder lessons that only the wilderness can teach—the kind that don’t show up in books, podcasts, or hunting forums. These are the truths you earn when you’re ten miles in, soaked to the bone, and still pushing forward.

Inside This Episode:

You’ll hear the 5 biggest backcountry lessons that changed my life as a hunter, a father, and a man. These are...

If you're hunting elk on public land this fall and struggling to get into bow range, there’s one tactic most hunters overlook—and it just might change everything: still-hunting. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I’m breaking down how to still-hunt for elk the right way—based on over 33 years of boots-on-the-ground Western hunting experience.

Still-hunting is one of the most effective, underused tactics for creating close-range encounters with pressured bulls, especially when calling fails, bugles go silent, and hunting pressure pushes elk into thick cover. But it’s not just about sneaking through the woods—it’s...

Public land hunting isn’t just about tags, bulls, or big bucks—it’s about who you are when no one’s watching. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I’m laying out the unwritten rules of public land hunting—what I call the Code of the West. These aren't printed in a game regulations booklet, but they matter just as much. Because in the backcountry, your reputation is built on how you hunt, not just what you kill.

I’m Matt Hartsky, and after 33+ years of hunting the West, I’ve seen the best and worst of public land b...

Struggling to tag bulls on public land? You might be following the wrong advice. In this episode, I’m busting the top 3 elk hunting myths that keep DIY hunters stuck, frustrated, and empty-handed. If you’ve been told calling is the only way, that the moon phase controls elk movement, or that bugling scares off bulls—you need to hear this.

I’m Matt Hartsky, founder of Backbone Unlimited. After 33+ years of public land elk hunting across Colorado, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, I’ve seen the same myths repeated by well-meaning hunters year after year—and I’ve also watche...

Hunting mule deer on public land is one of the most mentally and physically demanding challenges in the West—and one of the most rewarding. In this episode, I share hard-earned lessons from 33+ years of chasing bucks across high country basins, rolling foothills, desert flats, and pressured public land. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the honest, boots-on-the-ground truth about what works, what doesn’t, and how to become the kind of hunter who consistently tags mature bucks in big country.

Whether you're planning your first DIY mule deer hunt or refining your backcountry strategy for a hi...

Planning your first public land hunt in the West? Whether you're chasing elk in Colorado, mule deer in Idaho, or trying to draw your first tag in Wyoming, this episode gives you the truth most hunters won’t tell you. No hype. No fluff. Just 100% real-world insight on how to prepare, hunt, and survive your first or next DIY western hunt.

I’m Matt Hartsky, and after 33+ years of Western big game hunting, I’ve learned what it really takes to succeed on public land elk and mule deer hunts—and in this episode, I’m giving you the cr...

Solo elk hunting on public land is one of the toughest challenges in Western hunting—and it’s not for the faint of heart. In this episode, I break down exactly how to prepare for and succeed on a DIY solo elk hunt, whether you’re heading deep into the backcountry with a bow or a rifle, in search of bulls with no backup and no margin for error.

I’m Matt Hartsky, founder of Backbone Unlimited. After more than 33 years of Western hunting, I’ve learned that solo elk hunts require a whole different level of mental tou...

Want to become a more effective public land hunter? In this episode, we break down the top 3 backcountry hunting tactics every serious hunter must master: Still Hunting, Ambush Hunting, and Spot-and-Stalk. Whether you're chasing elk, mule deer, or other big game on public land, knowing when and how to apply each of these strategies is the key to consistent success in high-pressure units.

You’ll learn how to:
• Hunt elk on public land using terrain, wind, and pressure to your advantage
• Use still hunting tactics to quietly cover ground in thick timber and bedding zones
•...