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PODCAST

Backbone Unlimited Podcast

Backbone Unlimited

Host Matt Hartsky shares real-world hunting tactics, backcountry elk hunting tips, shed hunting, gear reviews, wildlife adventures, and hard-earned lessons on grit, discipline, and mental toughness. For hunters, outdoorsmen, and anyone committed to living untamed and conquering challenge. Learn public land hunting strategies, preparation, backcountry fitness, elk behavior, survival skills, and mindset tactics that help you thrive — in the wild and in life. New episodes weekly on elk hunting, big

sports wilderness

All Episodes

11:37

CODE OF THE WEST - UNWRITTEN RULES OF PUBLIC LAND...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/30

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

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15:57

3 ELK HUNTING MYTHS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM KILLING...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/29

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

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50:40

PUBLIC LAND MULE DEER HUNTING TIPS - 33 YEARS OF...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/28

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

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11:45

WESTERN PUBLIC LAND ELK HUNTING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS |...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/27

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

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12:25

HOW TO HUNT ALONE - SOLO BACKCOUNTRY MULE DEER AND...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/24

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

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09:20

TOP 3 BACKCOUNTRY HUNTING TACTICS FOR ELK AND MULE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/23

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

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08:33

7 ELK HUNTING TACTICS TO HELP YOU KILL MORE BULLS ON...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/22

Hunting elk on public land and want real tactics that actually work in high-pressure units? This episode breaks down 7 field-proven elk hunting strategies to help you kill more bulls—especially if you're going solo, backpacking deep, or bowhunting elk in over-the-counter units. Whether you’re preparing for your first DIY archery elk hunt or dialing in your plan for another backcountry elk hunting trip, these are the exact tactics I’ve used for over 30 seasons to locate, call in, and kill bulls on

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11:11

HOW TO CHANGE ELK HUNTING SPOTS TO KILL MORE BULLS ON...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/22

Struggling to find elk on public land? In this episode, we dive deep into the top signs you’re hunting a dead zone—and exactly what to do about it. If you’ve ever spent days glassing empty basins, hiking through dry, high-pressure terrain, or chasing silent bulls that vanish without a trace, this is your wake-up call. Based on 33+ years of experience in the mountains, this episode covers how to: • Recognize the signs of a dead zone early • Read elk behavior based on feed, weather, pressure, and

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12:30

HOW TO STALK ELK - 33 YEARS OF ELK HUNTING LESSONS...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/10

If you want to kill more elk on public land, your ability to stalk effectively might be the missing piece. In this episode, I break down 33+ years of elk hunting lessons specifically on how to stalk elk—not just sneaking through timber, but understanding wind, thermals, terrain, and timing in real-world backcountry scenarios.You’ll learn how to identify stalk-worthy setups, how to approach bulls without getting busted, how to read thermals and shifting winds, and how to use terrain to your

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12:40

THIS ONE MISTAKE COULD BE COSTING YOU EVERY PUBLIC...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/09

If you're putting in the miles, packing the gear, and grinding it out—but still going home without a bull—you might be making the same critical mistake that costs most public land elk hunters their shot.I’m Matt Hartsky with Backbone Unlimited, and in this episode, I break down the single most common timing error I see ruin elk hunts year after year. We’re talking about why first light and last light are everything when it comes to killing bulls on public land—and how to make sure you're finally in

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11:14

THIS ELK HUNTING TACTIC CHANGED EVERYTHING - HOW I...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/06

What if your success in elk country came down to one overlooked detail—where you’re set up before daylight?In this episode, I break down the one tactic that changed everything for me in elk hunting. It's not a gimmick. It's a real-world strategy based on elk behavior, pressure, thermals, and terrain. Once I started targeting transition zones between nighttime feeding and bedding areas, everything changed. I went from chasing bugles to being where the elk already want to go—and the results

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15:05

5 ELK HUNTING TIPS EVERY NEW ELK HUNTER MUST KNOW |...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/03

New to elk hunting? This episode is your fast track to avoiding the rookie mistakes that ruin hunts. Whether you’re chasing bulls in big country for the first time or still trying to notch your first tag, I’m breaking down 5 essential tips every new elk hunter needs to hear.From e-scouting strategies and calling discipline to understanding elk behavior and managing your gear—we cover the foundational skills that separate frustrated hunters from successful ones. I’ve spent 33+ years hunting elk

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18:36

HOW TO CALCULATE CALORIES FOR ANY BACKCOUNTRY HUNT |...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/02

Fueling right can be the difference between tagging out—or tapping out.In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down the exact calorie formulas, rules of thumb, and real-world strategies every backcountry hunter needs to stay in the fight. Whether you're chasing elk deep in the Rockies or grinding out high-mileage days in remote terrain, understanding how to calculate your daily calorie needs is a critical edge. No more guessing. No more crashing. Just the math, the

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10:51

MASTERING WIND AND THERMALS FOR MOUNTAIN HUNTING | 🎙️...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/07/01

Mastering Wind & Thermals for Mountain HuntingThe wind is invisible—but it decides everything. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how wind and thermals work in the backcountry—and how to use them to outsmart big bulls. If you’re tired of blown stalks and busted herds, this is your tactical edge. From understanding how air moves through drainages and ridges, to building daily hunt plans based on thermals—not guesses—this episode will sharpen how you

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19:33

HOW TO HYDRATE FOR BACKCOUNTRY HUNTING | 🎙️ EP. 3

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/06/30

Hydration can make or break your hunt—and most hunters get it wrong. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down the hydration mistakes that ruin backcountry hunts—and how to fix them before they cost you an opportunity at a bull. From hot archery elk hunts to freezing rifle packouts, hydration and electrolyte balance play a bigger role than most hunters realize. If you've ever cramped up, bonked early, or felt off despite training hard—your hydration strategy may be

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22:46

THE REAL REASONS BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS QUIT | 🎙️ EP. 2

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/06/29

Why do most hunters quit in the backcountry? It’s not the job. It’s not the weather. It’s not the family waiting back home. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky reveals the real reasons most hunters tap out early—and what you can do to make sure you’re not one of them. After decades chasing elk, mule deer and Western big game in some of the toughest terrain in the West, Matt breaks down what separates hunters who finish the hunt from those who hike out empty—and often,

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04:46

WHO IS BACKBONE UNLIMITED? THE STORY BEHIND THE BRAND...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/06/27

Who is Backbone Unlimited — and what does it really mean to live with backbone?In this powerful intro episode, host Matt Hartsky shares the raw, real-life story behind Backbone Unlimited—a brand, a mindset, and a mission rooted in relentless living, western hunting, and personal growth forged through tragedy, grit, and experience. Matt opens up about his 33+ years of experience as a Western big game hunter, outdoorsman, wildlife photographer, and strength and nutrition coach, as well as his time as

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14:25

HOW TO KILL AN ELK EVERY YEAR ON PUBLIC LAND | 🎙️EP. 1

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/06/01

In this kickoff episode, Matt Hartsky shares 14 proven elk hunting tips and public land tactics from 33 years of experience. Learn how to scout effectively, read elk sign, understand elk behavior, glass for bulls, master calling, control your scent, and improve your shooting and fitness for backcountry elk hunting success. Whether you’re hunting with a bow or rifle, these tips will help you punch more tags and fill the freezer year after year.

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118 results

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