THE ELK HUNTING CONDITIONING MISTAKE THAT CAN END YOUR SEASON BEFORE IT STARTS | 🎙️ EP. 181

Backbone Unlimited Podcast · May 17, 2026 · 15m

In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the conditioning gap that ends too many elk hunting seasons before they ever really start. Elk hunting fitness is not just hiking, jogging, or getting in better shape before September. It is the ability to climb, carry weight, recover, control your breathing, think clearly, and execute when the mountain gets hard. Matt explains why general cardio is not enough for Western elk hunting, how altitude exposes poor preparation, why loaded strength endurance and downhill control matter, and how hunters can train smarter before the season. If you are…