x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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

17:00

UTAH BIG GAME DRAW 2026 | HOW NON-RESIDENTS APPLY FOR...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/27

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

en

28:09

MONTANA BIG GAME DRAW 2026 | HOW NON-RESIDENTS APPLY...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/26

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

en

35:15

BACKCOUNTRY HUNTER TRAINING PHASE 1 | HOW TO BUILD A...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/25

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

en

31:52

NEW MEXICO BIG GAME DRAW 2026 | HOW NON-RESIDENTS...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/24

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

en

36:28

COLORADO BIG GAME DRAW 2026 | HOW NON-RESIDENTS APPLY...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/23

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,

en

29:43

WESTERN MOUNTAIN WHITETAILS | DEER HUNTING TACTICS...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/22

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

en

31:21

WYOMING NON-RESIDENT DRAW GUIDE 2026 | HOW TO APPLY...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/21

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

en

25:39

2026 SUCCESS STARTS HERE | OFF-SEASON STRATEGY FOR...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/20

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,

en

25:35

LATE SEASON ELK HUNTING TIPS | HOW BULL BEHAVIOR...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/19

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

en

26:07

HOW HUNTING PRESSURE CHANGES ELK BEHAVIOR | LATE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/18

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

en

27:27

HOW WEATHER FRONTS MOVE MULE DEER | LATE SEASON MULE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/17

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

en

22:29

ARCHERY VS RIFLE FOR NOVEMBER SUCCESS | LATE SEASON...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/16

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

en

27:41

HOW TO FIND TRANSITION ZONES IN NOVEMBER | LATE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/15

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

en

25:38

HOW TO HUNT ELK FUNNELS | STOP GUESSING WHERE ELK GO...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/14

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

en

24:08

HOW TO HUNT SOLO BULLS AFTER THE RUT | SPOT AND STALK...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/13

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

en

34:53

HOW TO GLASS POST RUT BULLS IN TRANSITION ZONES |...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/12

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

en

20:39

POST RUT ELK HUNTING | WHAT REALLY HAPPENS TO HERDS...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/11

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

en

26:12

OCTOBER ELK HUNTING | UNDERSTANDING COW MOVEMENT...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/10

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

en

24:22

HOW WEATHER FRONTS MOVE ELK | OCTOBER ELK HUNTING...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/09

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

en

27:57

OCTOBER ELK HUNTING | SNOW VS NO SNOW ELK MOVEMENT...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/11/08

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

en

112 results

Similar Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast

Elan Dubrofsky and Brian Kom

Daily Fantasy Sports by Ship It Nation

Ship It Nation

Fantasy Football Today

CBS Sports, Fantasy Football, FFT, NFL,...

Bring The Pain

Heat00veride

ESPN SportsCenter Update

ESPN