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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

27:14

ARCHERY ELK HUNTING PRESSURED UNITS | DIY PUBLIC LAND...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/25

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

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24:21

WHAT TO DO WHEN ELK BUST YOU | ELK HUNTING RECOVERY...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/24

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

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21:39

ELK HUNTING STRATEGY FOR EARLY SEPTEMBER | HOW TO...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/23

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

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30:36

ELK HUNTING LAW: WIND AND THERMALS RULE THE MOUNTAIN...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/22

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

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22:09

ELK HUNTING SUCCESS ISN'T LUCK - ITS TIME IN THE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/21

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

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23:58

SEPTEMBER ELK HUNTING PRESSURE | HOW BULLS CHANGE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/20

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

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23:53

HOW TO HUNT ELK WHO AREN'T BUGLING | ARCHERY ELK...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/19

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

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29:19

ELK HUNTING PACKOUT TIPS | HOW TO SURVIVE THE GRIND...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/18

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

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33:05

OPENING DAY ELK HUNTING STRATEGIES | ARCHERY ELK...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/17

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,

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28:16

BEST ELK HUNTING CAMP LOCATIONS | HOW TO CHOOSE THE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/16

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

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27:25

TACTICAL ELK CALLING - AGGRESSIVE OR PATIENT? ELK...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/16

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,

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32:49

HOW TO FIND RUTTING BULLS | STOP CHASING BUGLES START...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/15

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

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25:24

HOW TO PUSH THROUGH MENTALLY ON TOUGH WESTERN HUNTS |...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/08

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

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25:51

5 MISTAKES THAT COST YOU ELK AND MULE DEER | PUBLIC...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/02

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,

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20:25

LISTEN TO THIS BEFORE YOUR ARCHERY ELK HUNT | RAW,...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/09/01

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

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23:45

5 MULE DEER HUNTING TIPS I WISH I KNEW SOONER | HOW...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/08/31

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

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18:28

MULE DEER HUNTING VS ELK HUNTING - 5 KEY DIFFERENCES...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/08/30

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

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31:38

5 ARCHERY ELK HUNTING TIPS I WISH I KNEW SOONER |...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/08/29

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

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23:02

HOW TO FIND SEPTEMBER BULLS | ELK HUNTING TIPS AND...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/08/28

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

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30:55

HOW TO HUNT ELK IN THICK TIMBER | ELK HUNTING TIPS...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2025/08/27

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

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117 results

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