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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

39:36

VENANDI BINO PACK HOLSTERS: BUILT FOR HUNTERS WHO...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/02/09

Venandi Holsters crafts precision-fit, purpose-built bino pack holsters and gear carriers designed for hunters and outdoor professionals. Their innovative bino harness holsters and firearm solutions combine secure retention, rugged construction, and streamlined accessibility — giving you reliable carry and quick access whether you’re glassing ridges or moving through rough country.Use code BACKBONE for 10% off: https://www.venandiholsters.com/?ref=BACKBONE In this episode of Backbone Unlimited,

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23:26

SPRING TRAINING: BUILD A REAL BASE OF MOUNTAIN...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/02/04

In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down what spring training should actually look like for backcountry hunters who want to perform better in the mountains come fall. Too many hunters treat spring as a time to rush intensity, chase exhaustion, or copy generic fitness plans that don’t translate to real mountain demands. Matt explains why spring is the most important phase for building long-term durability, not short-term fatigue.The conversation focuses on what it means to build a true base

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22:56

SOLO HUNTING: 7 TIPS TO HUNT ELK AND MULE DEER WITH...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/02/03

In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down what really determines success when you’re hunting elk and mule deer alone: your ability to make clear, disciplined decisions without outside confirmation. Solo hunting removes the safety net. There’s no partner to validate your instincts, slow down bad calls, or share the mental load when things go quiet. Every decision — when to stay, when to move, and when to wait — falls entirely on you.Matt walks through seven critical mindset and strategy

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27:13

MASTER ELK HUNTING COUNTRY: HOW TO READ TERRAIN TO...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/02/03

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most misunderstood reasons elk hunters struggle year after year—misreading terrain. After more than three decades of hunting Western public land, Matt explains why most elk hunts don’t fail because of bad timing, quiet rut activity, or unpredictable elk behavior, but because hunters focus on movement instead of structure. Elk don’t need to do much to survive. They need secure bedding, efficient travel routes, reliable wind

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23:53

7 ELK AND MULE DEER HUNTING MISTAKES I WISH I KNEW...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/29

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky shares seven hard-earned hunting mistakes he made over 34 years pursuing elk and mule deer—mistakes that didn’t feel wrong at the time because they looked like effort, toughness, and doing things the hard way. These were the quiet habits that kept results inconsistent while confidence and years in the field kept growing. Matt breaks down how chasing noise instead of patterns, relying on gear to cover skill gaps, moving too fast, ignoring

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25:43

BUILD THESE 6 OFF SEASON HUNTING SKILLS TO ACTUALLY...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/28

In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down the off-season hunting skills that actually lead to more elk and mule deer on the ground. This conversation is focused on the part of the year when tags feel far away, momentum is low, and many hunters struggle to feel like they’re making real progress. Instead of tactics that only work when conditions are perfect, Matt walks through the foundational skills that quietly separate consistent hunters from frustrated ones.Matt

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55:17

DIGISCOPING FOR THE WESTERN HUNTER: THE KAPTURE GEAR...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/26

Kapture delivers one of the simplest, strongest digiscoping systems on the market, letting you lock your phone to your bino or spotter in seconds. Their rugged magnetic design gives hunters pro-level photos and video without fumbling with bulky adapters.Kapture Discount: Use code BACKBONE for 10% off: https://kapturegear.com/?bg_ref=gCD000n5fB In this episode, Matt Hartsky sits down with Eric Christensen, owner and founder of Kapture Gear, to break down one of the most common and frustrating

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23:42

HOW I PLAN A WESTERN HUNTING YEAR: ELK, MULE DEER,...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/23

In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how he plans an entire western hunting year—from tag applications and long-range strategy to training phases, scouting windows, in-season execution, recovery, and the post-season review that shapes the next year. This episode is not about quick tips or last-minute preparation. It is a full look at how successful elk and mule deer seasons are built months before opening day. Matt explains why so many hunters feel rushed,

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13:00

ADVANCED ELK HUNTING STRATEGY: HOW TO BECOME A...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/22

Elk Camp 2026 is your chance to learn, train, and run real-world scenarios alongside experienced elk hunters, Matt & Saxton Hartsky, in the mountains. Spots are limited—secure yours today and take the next step toward becoming the elk hunter you’ve always wanted to be. LEARN MORE about Elk Camp 2026 or reserve your spot: https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-campIn this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky tackles one of the most uncomfortable but important truths in

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54:39

BUILD A WESTERN TAG STRATEGY THAT WORKS | 2026 BIG...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/20

HUNT PLANNING with EAST 2 WEST HUNTS: East 2 West Hunts provides premium Western big-game application services with deep expertise in elk, mule deer, and high-country adventure. Alex delivers proven and personalized hunt planning, and professional application guidance to help hunters maximize every opportunity. BOOK A FREE CONSULT with Alex and mention Matt Hartsky sent you for priority attention: https://www.east2westhunts.com/Elk Camp 2026 is your chance to learn, train, and run real-world

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54:40

ELK HUNTING - WHERE TO START - A BEGINNER'S COMPLETE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/16

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky tackles one of the most common and overwhelming questions new hunters ask: Where do I start with elk hunting? Drawing from more than three decades of western big game hunting experience, Matt strips away the noise, myths, and overcomplication that stop so many people before they ever step into elk country. This episode lays out the true foundation of becoming an elk hunter — defining your why, understanding elk behavior, choosing a state and

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10:46

WHY ELK HUNTING FEELS SO HARD | THE MINDSET MISTAKE...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/15

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most common and rarely discussed reasons elk seasons implode early: showing up with a summer mindset in a September world. Many hunters enter the season with high confidence and clear expectations based on preseason scouting, trail cam photos, or how elk behaved in August—only to watch everything unravel in the first 24 to 48 hours. This episode explains why that disconnect happens and how September immediately exposes flawed

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11:07

UNDERSTAND ELK MOVEMENT | WHY MOST HUNTERS NEVER FIND...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/14

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the single biggest root cause behind failed elk seasons: not understanding elk movement. Every year, hunters say the same things—elk vanished, the unit went dead, bulls disappeared overnight. The truth is simpler and harder to accept. Elk don’t teleport, and they don’t leave for no reason. They move with purpose, respond instantly to pressure, adjust to wind and thermals, and shift patterns the moment human presence enters their

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73:18

STILL RELYING ON LUCK? HOW SUCCESSFUL WESTERN HUNTERS...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/13

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky sits down with Cody Calkins, a New Mexico firefighter and dedicated Western hunter, to break down a full, real-world Western big game hunting season—from planning to execution. This conversation goes far beyond hunt recaps and dives into the mindset, discipline, and preparation required to stop relying on luck and start hunting with control.Cody walks through his season chronologically, covering multiple hunts across Colorado, Utah, and New

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12:12

THE GOLDEN RULE OF ELK HUNTING YOU MUST KNOW | 🎙️ EP....

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/13

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down what he believes is the most unforgiving and season-ending mistake elk hunters make: misreading the wind and thermals. You can have the right bull, the right setup, the right calling sequence, and perfect timing—and still watch the entire opportunity evaporate because of one small wind mistake. Wind is not just a factor in elk hunting. It is the entire game. Matt lays out the single most important law of thermals that almost every

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11:41

ELK CALLING MISTAKES YOU CAN FIX TODAY | 🎙️ EP. 113

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/12

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most emotionally charged and misunderstood parts of elk hunting: when to call, when to stay silent, and how calling actually helps—or destroys—your opportunities. Overcalling and undercalling ruin more elk encounters than bad shooting, bad wind, or poor setups, and it usually happens because hunters try to force elk into a script instead of responding to what the elk are actually doing in the moment. This episode explains why

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10:43

BAD E-SCOUTING | THE HIDDEN REASON YOUR ELK SEASON...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/11

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most common—and most painful—reasons elk hunters burn days without ever getting into elk: poor e-scouting and hunting terrain that simply does not hold elk when you’re there. Too many hunters walk into September convinced there are “no elk in my unit,” when the reality is that the elk have already shifted out of the terrain being hunted. Maps show what terrain could hold elk, but they don’t show pressure, security, wind

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9:32

HUNTING TOO FAST | HOW RUSHING YOUR ELK HUNT BLOWS...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/10

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

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9:50

FATIGUE KILLS ELK HUNTS | DISCIPLINE AND GRIND WHEN...

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/09

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

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11:29

HOW TO BUILD REPEATABLE ELK KILLING SYSTEMS | 🎙️ EP. 109

Backbone Unlimited Podcast ·

2026/01/08

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

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129 results

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