Backbone Unlimited Podcast

Backbone Unlimited
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Wilderness
  • Weekly

Backbone Unlimited is a western hunting podcast for public-land hunters who want to stop guessing and build a better system for finding elk, mule deer and black bears, beating pressure, reading sign, understanding wind and thermals, and making cleaner decisions in the mountains. Hosted by Matt Hartsky, Backbone Unlimited combines 34+ years of western big game hunting experience with decades of strength, conditioning, and nutrition coaching to help hunters prepare smarter and hunt more effectively. Episodes cover elk hunting strategy, mule deer hunting, bear hunting, public land tactics, archery elk hunting, rifle hunting, e-scouting, scouting, glassing, calling, bedding areas, feed, water, transition zones, mountain fitness, hunt planning, field decision-making, meat care, gear, pack-outs, and the mindset it takes to keep improving season after season. If you’re serious about becoming a more capable western hunter, Backbone Unlimited is built to help you train harder, hunt smarter, and never settle.

  1. 1h ago

    HOW DO YOU FIND LATE SEASON ELK ON PUBLIC LAND? | EP. 274

    Struggling to find late-season elk on public land? Matt Hartsky breaks down October and November elk hunting, including food sources, security cover, hunting pressure, fresh tracks, snow, and post-rut bull behavior. Learn how to read current conditions, find overlooked elk pockets, and get into position before daylight movement ends. 🏔️ Elk Camp 2027 — Get in the Wyoming mountains with Matt and Saxton Hartsky for hands-on elk hunting instruction. Learn to find elk, read terrain, adapt to hunting pressure, and call with confidence. Just six hunters per camp for direct coaching and individual attention. → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-camp 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

  2. 1d ago

    DO ELK MOVE LOWER AS SOON AS IT SNOWS? | EP. 273

    Do elk move lower as soon as it snows? A white mountain doesn’t always mean the elk have left—and heading downhill too soon can take you away from fresh elk activity. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how snow affects elk location and movement during October and the late season. Learn how snow depth, crust, available feed and hunting pressure influence whether elk stay high, change slopes or move into lower country. We cover south-facing slopes, windblown ridges, post-rut bulls and reading fresh tracks after a storm. If snow hits during your elk hunt, this episode will help you decide whether to stay, adjust your approach or search new country. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

  3. 2d ago

    SHOULD I HUNT NORTH OR SOUTH FACING SLOPES IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER? | EP. 272

    Should you hunt north-facing or south-facing slopes for elk in October and November? The best choice can change with the weather, snow, available feed and hunting pressure. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how slope direction affects elk feeding areas, bedding cover and daily movement. Learn when to focus on sunny slopes, when to check shaded timber, and how to find travel routes connecting food and security. We cover warm weather, cold snaps, snowmelt, mountain winds and using fresh elk sign to decide where to hunt. If you’re planning a rifle or late-season elk hunt, this episode will help you look beyond compass direction and recognize where elk are spending their time. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

  4. 3d ago

    HOW DO YOU HUNT PRESSURED ELK ON PUBLIC LAND? | EP. 271

    How do you hunt pressured elk on public land? When the easy spots fill with hunters and elk stop showing themselves, hiking farther isn’t always the answer. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to read hunting pressure and find the security cover elk move into. Learn how roads, trails, camps and hunter movement can help you narrow your search—and why overlooked terrain close to access can be worth checking. We cover fresh elk sign, alternative access routes, wind, still-hunting thick timber and when to keep calling or stay quiet. If you’re finding boot tracks instead of elk, this episode will help you adjust your plan and get into a better position. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

  5. 4d ago

    SHOULD YOU GLASS OR SIT AND WAIT FOR ELK IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER? | EP. 270

    Should you glass, still-hunt, or sit and wait for elk? Choosing the right approach can make the difference between finding elk and spending the day hunting past them. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down when to use each method and how to adjust as the hunt unfolds. Learn how terrain, visibility, fresh sign, wind and elk movement help you decide whether to keep watching, move into cover or get ahead of a travel pattern. We cover glassing positions, slowing down in thick timber, choosing an ambush location, and planning your entry and exit. If you’re unsure whether to move or stay put, this episode will help you make that decision with a reason behind it. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

  6. 5d ago

    HOW DO MATURE BULL ELK BEHAVE AFTER THE RUT? | EP. 269

    How do mature bull elk behave after the rut? A bull that spent September bugling and chasing cows may go quiet and become hard to find once breeding slows down. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down post-rut bull behavior and what it means for your October elk hunt. Learn how recovery, food and hunting pressure change where mature bulls spend their time, how far they move and whether they stay with the cows. We cover solitary bulls, small bachelor groups, reduced calling, daylight movement and why the end of the rut doesn’t automatically send bulls to lower elevations. If you’re finding cows but struggling to locate mature bulls, this episode will help you adjust your approach. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

  7. 6d ago

    WHAT TERRAIN SHOULD YOU TARGET DURING RIFLE ELK SEASON? | EP. 268

    What terrain should you target during rifle elk season? A north-facing slope or a big patch of dark timber can look promising on a map, but what makes it worth hunting? In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to identify terrain that gives elk food, security and room to avoid hunting pressure. Learn what to look for in timbered benches, steep sidehills, hidden feeding areas, saddles and finger ridges—and how hunter access affects which spots elk actually use. We cover reading topo maps, adjusting to weather, glassing thick cover and using fresh elk sign to decide where to spend your time. If you’re struggling to narrow down a mountain during rifle season, this episode will help you choose where to start and when to move. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

  8. Oct 24

    WHERE DO ELK FEED AND BED DURING RIFLE SEASON? | EP. 267

    Where do elk feed and bed during rifle season? A meadow full of elk before opening day can look empty once hunting pressure hits—even when the elk haven’t moved far. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how rifle-season pressure changes elk feeding areas, bedding locations and daily movement. Learn what to look for in security cover, how to find overlooked feeding pockets, and why the route between food and bedding can matter more than either location alone. We cover timbered benches, slope selection, post-rut bulls, fresh sign and hunting the daylight portion of an elk’s routine. If you’re glassing good feed without seeing elk, this episode will help you figure out where to focus next. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

See All (100)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Backbone Unlimited is a western hunting podcast for public-land hunters who want to stop guessing and build a better system for finding elk, mule deer and black bears, beating pressure, reading sign, understanding wind and thermals, and making cleaner decisions in the mountains. Hosted by Matt Hartsky, Backbone Unlimited combines 34+ years of western big game hunting experience with decades of strength, conditioning, and nutrition coaching to help hunters prepare smarter and hunt more effectively. Episodes cover elk hunting strategy, mule deer hunting, bear hunting, public land tactics, archery elk hunting, rifle hunting, e-scouting, scouting, glassing, calling, bedding areas, feed, water, transition zones, mountain fitness, hunt planning, field decision-making, meat care, gear, pack-outs, and the mindset it takes to keep improving season after season. If you’re serious about becoming a more capable western hunter, Backbone Unlimited is built to help you train harder, hunt smarter, and never settle.

Information

  • Creator
    Backbone Unlimited
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Backbone Unlimited Podcast

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