Shows / Backbone Unlimited Podcast
Backbone Unlimited Podcast
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…
Episodes
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
SUMMER ELK BEHAVIOR TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHERE TO HUNT ELK IN SEPTEMBER | 🎙️ EP. 207
September elk hunting strategy starts long before the rut. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down why July elk scouting…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
YOU'RE HUNTING ELK WALLOWS WRONG - HERE'S THE SETUP THAT ACTUALLY WORKS | 🎙️ EP. 206
Most elk hunters waste the middle of the day. They head back to camp, take a nap, or wait around for the evening hunt while a small percentage of disciplined…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
STOP GUESSING WHERE ELK ARE | HOW TO READ A TOPO MAP FOR ELK HUNTING | 🎙️ EP. 205
Most elk hunters look at topo maps, but they don’t actually read them. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to scout…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTERS: YOUR BODY WILL FAIL YOU UNLESS YOU START THIS NOW | 🎙️ EP. 204
Most elk hunters don’t run out of desire in September. They run out of legs. In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
MOST ELK HUNTERS WASTE JULY - HERE'S EXACTLY WHAT TO DO INSTEAD | 🎙️ EP. 203
Most elk hunters wait until September to start looking for elk. That’s already too late. In this episode, I break down a complete June and July elk scouting…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE TERRAIN SYSTEM THAT ACTUALLY FINDS ELK (MOST HUNTERS HAVE THIS WRONG) | 🎙️ EP. 202
What terrain should you focus on when hunting elk? In this episode, I break down elk hunting terrain and how to find elk by looking beyond obvious map features…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
HOW TO PICK AN ELK HUNTING AREA IN 6 STEPS - STOP LOOKING AT STATS | 🎙️ EP. 201
Everybody wants to know the best elk hunting area — the best OTC unit, the best public land drainage, the best non-resident hunt, the best basin. But most…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
STOP READING ELK SIGN LIKE THIS - SAVE YOUR SEASON | 🎙️ EP. 200
Most hunters find elk sign and think they've found elk. They haven't. They've found evidence that elk were there — and that distinction can cost you an entire…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE OFFICIAL HIGH COUNTRY ELK HUNTING CHECKLIST (AVOID MISTAKES!) | 🎙️ EP. 199
High country elk hunting isn't just regular elk hunting with more elevation — and the hunters who treat it that way are learning that lesson the hard way. In…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE HABIT THAT CAUSES 90 PERCENT OF ELK HUNTERS TO FAIL EVERY SEASON | 🎙️ EP. 198
In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the habit that causes most elk hunters to waste days, burn opportunities, and stay stuck in the…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
HOW TO FIX "I CAN'T FIND ELK" (EVERYTIME!) | 🎙️ EP.197
If you can’t find elk, the answer isn’t always to hike farther, call louder, or abandon the unit. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt breaks down a…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING ALTITUDE - THE CONDITIONING SYSTEM THAT PREVENTS MOUNTAIN FAILURE | 🎙️ EP. 196
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down elk…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
MULE DEER HUNTING - THE GLASSING SYSTEM THAT USES LIGHT TO EXPOSE MULE DEER BUCKS | 🎙️ EP. 195
Mule Deer Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/mule-deer-hunting-e-book-series In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING PREDATORS - THE WOLF EFFECT THAT CHANGES HOW TO HUNT BULLS ON PUBLIC LAND | 🎙️ EP. 194
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
MULE DEER HUNTING BENCHES - THE TERRAIN FEATURE THAT PUTS YOU ON MATURE BUCKS | 🎙️ EP. 193
Mule Deer Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/mule-deer-hunting-e-book-series In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING SHOT PLACEMENT - THE QUARTERING SYSTEM THAT DROPS BULLS WITH CLEAN KILLS | 🎙️ EP. 192
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down elk…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
MULE DEER HUNTING - ARE YOU ACTUALLY READY TO KILL A HIGH COUNTRY BUCK? | 🎙️ EP. 191
Mule Deer Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/mule-deer-hunting-e-book-series In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING WEATHER - THE BAROMETER DROP THAT GETS BULLS MOVING | 🎙️ EP. 190
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
FIND 10X MORE BUCKS WITH THESE NEW MULE DEER HUNTING TACTICS | 🎙️ EP. 189
Mule Deer Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/mule-deer-hunting-e-book-series In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE DEATH OF EASY ELK HUNTING | 🎙️ EP. 188
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
8 ELK HUNTING SECRETS THAT HELP YOU FIND BULLS FASTER | 🎙️ EP. 187
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
GIVE ME 15 MINUTES, I GUARANTEE I'LL CHANGE THE WAY YOU HUNT ELK | 🎙️ EP. 186
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books Give me 15 minutes and I’ll change the way you hunt elk. In this…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING BURN AREAS - POST FIRE HABITAT THAT CONCENTRATES BULLS | 🎙️ EP. 185
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down elk hunting burn areas and…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE MULE DEER HUNTING SYSTEM FOR BREAKING DOWN A BASIN TO FIND MATURE BUCKS OTHERS MISS | 🎙️ EP. 184
In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the complete mule deer hunting system for analyzing a basin step-by-step to consistently find…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING WATER SOURCES - THE WATER SOURCE STRATEGY THAT FINDS BULLS OTHER HUNTERS MISS | 🎙️ EP. 183
In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to elk hunt water sources the right way and why most hunters completely misunderstand how…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE REAL REASONS MATURE MULE DEER BUCKS FEEL INVISIBLE | 🎙️ EP. 182
In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down why mature mule deer feel invisible and why big bucks can live in the same country hunters…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE ELK HUNTING CONDITIONING MISTAKE THAT CAN END YOUR SEASON BEFORE IT STARTS | 🎙️ EP. 181
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…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE MONTANA ELK HUNTING PREPARATION SYSTEM THAT FINDS BULLS ON PUBLIC LAND | 🎙️ EP. 180
In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to prepare after drawing a Montana elk tag and how to build a real elk hunting plan before the season starts…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE PACK WEIGHT STRATEGY THAT KEEPS YOU ELK HUNTING | 🎙️ EP. 179
In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the hidden cost of carrying too much weight in the elk mountains. A heavy pack can feel like preparation before the…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
BREAKING THE PATTERN THAT KEEPS ELK HUNTERS STUCK SEASON AFTER SEASON | 🎙️ EP. 178
In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to go from your first elk hunt to becoming a more consistent elk hunter faster than most…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE ONE HABIT THAT TRANSFORMED MY ELK HUNTING | 🎙️ EP. 177
In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the one habit that completely changed his elk hunting results—and it has nothing to do with tactics, gear, or…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
MULE DEER HUNTING: THE FASTEST WAY TO FIND A BUCK ANYWHERE | 🎙️ EP. 176
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down the fastest way to consistently find mule deer bucks anywhere you hunt in the West. Drawing from more than three…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
BEAR HUNTING WITH JOSH KIRCHNER - WHAT YOU'RE GETTING WRONG ABOUT BEAR BEHAVIOR | 🎙️ EP. 175
Bear Hunting with Josh Kirchner - What You're Getting Wrong About Bear Behavior is a ground-level conversation with one of Western hunting's most analytical…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
WINNING ELK HUNTING STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC LAND ELK HUNTERS | 🎙️ EP. 174
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down a complete, repeatable elk hunting system built specifically for public land hunters who are tired of inconsistent…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
HOW TO FIND ELK IN 4 EASY STEPS - ELK HUNTING STRATEGY | 🎙️ EP. 173
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down how to find elk using a simple, repeatable 4-step system that works across Western public land. Instead of relying on…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
IF YOU HAVE KILLED ZERO ELK, DO THIS FIRST | 🎙️ EP. 172
In this episode Matt Hartsky speaks directly to the hunter who has put in the time, covered the miles, and done everything they thought was right—but still…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
IF I STARTED ELK HUNTING TODAY, I'D DO THIS! | 🎙️ EP. 171
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly how he would approach elk hunting if he had to start completely over today—with no past experience, no proven…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
BLACK BEAR HUNTING - HOW TO GET CLOSE | 🎙️ EP. 170
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down how to improve your stalking success when hunting black bears, focusing on the phase where most opportunities are…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING - MOST ELK HUNTERS QUIT RIGHT BEFORE IT HAPPENS | 🎙️ EP. 169
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down a moment every elk hunter eventually faces—but almost no one recognizes when it’s happening. The hunt hasn’t fallen…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE EVENING ELK HUNTING PROBLEM (AND SOLUTION) | 🎙️ EP. 168
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most misunderstood and costly mistakes in elk hunting—misreading evening thermals and getting busted…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE ELK HUNTING SKILLS YOU NEED TO KILL BULLS IN TIMBER | 🎙️ EP. 167
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the fastest ways elk hunters ruin opportunities in timber without ever realizing it. Most hunters believe being…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ARE YOU HUNTING IN A DEAD ZONE? STAY IN THE GAME! | 🎙️ EP. 166
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most frustrating situations elk hunters face—when you’re in good country, putting in the effort, and…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
HUNTING ELK IN TIMBER? USE THIS WIND STRATEGY | 🎙️ EP. 165
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most frustrating problems elk hunters face—wind in the timber—and why what you think you know about wind…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
WHAT IF THE 2026 ELK HUNTING SEASON IS HOT? MOST HUNTERS WON'T BE READY | 🎙️ EP. 164
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down a question most elk hunters don’t think about until they’re already in the middle of it—what happens when the entire…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
MULE DEER HUNTERS ARE OVERLOOKING THE BEST HABITAT FOR BIG BUCKS | 🎙️ EP. 163
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked pieces of mule deer habitat that consistently holds deer across the West. Most hunters…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTERS MUST UNDERSTAND THIS DAILY PATTERN TO FIND MORE BULLS | 🎙️ EP. 162
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down the daily pattern that quietly controls where bulls spend the majority of their daylight hours—and why so many elk…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE NUMBER 1 REASON SOME ELK HUNTERS KILL BULLS EVERY YEAR | 🎙️ EP. 161
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked truths in elk hunting—why some hunters consistently get into elk year after year while…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
KILL MORE ELK WITH THIS MORNING PATTERN MOST HUNTERS MISS | 🎙️ EP. 160
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down a morning pattern that quietly determines whether elk encounters turn into real opportunities—or fall apart before…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
HOW FAR DO ELK TRAVEL IN 24 HOURS - MOST HUNTERS GET THIS WRONG | 🎙️ EP. 159
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most common questions in elk hunting—how far elk actually travel in a 24-hour period—and why most hunters…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
WHY "JUST HUNT HARDER" IS BAD ELK HUNTING ADVICE | 🎙️ EP. 158
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most common—and misleading—pieces of advice in elk hunting: “just hunt harder.” While effort matters in the…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE ELK HUNTING STRATEGY THAT BEATS SWIRLING WIND | 🎙️ EP. 157
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most frustrating and misunderstood challenges in elk hunting—swirling wind—and why it consistently ruins…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
BLACK BEAR HUNTING - THE RIGHT WAY TO HUNT WATER FOR BIG BEARS | 🎙️ EP. 156
In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down the biggest mistake hunters make when trying to find mature black bears around water in the West. Most hunters know…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING THIS SPOT WILL HELP YOU KILL MORE BULLS | 🎙️ EP. 155
In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked terrain features in elk country and how it quietly controls the way elk move through the…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK HUNTING HAS CHANGED IN 2026 - HOW HUNTERS ARE STILL FINDING BULLS | 🎙️ EP. 154
In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down why elk hunting feels different across the West in 2026—and what serious hunters need to…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
BULLS DO THIS RIGHT BEFORE YOU SEE THEM - HOW ELK HUNTERS STILL WIN | 🎙️ EP. 153
In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down a moment every elk hunter eventually faces in the mountains. A bull answers your call, the encounter builds, and it…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
ELK LOVE THIS TERRAIN FEATURE - MOST ELK HUNTERS IGNORE IT | 🎙️ EP. 152
In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked terrain features in Western elk hunting—and why understanding it can completely change how…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
HOW TO READ A MULE DEER BASIN IN 5 MINUTES: FIND PUBLIC LAND BUCKS FAST | 🎙️ EP. 151
In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most critical skills in Western mule deer hunting—how to quickly identify real buck country across the…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
YOU DREW AN ARIZONA NON-RESIDENT ELK TAG, NOW WHAT? 90 DAY PUBLIC LAND GAME PLAN | 🎙️ EP. 150
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited podcast, Matt Hartsky…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
THE BEST MOVE AFTER A BLACK BEAR VANISHES MID-STALK - BEAR HUNTING TIPS | 🎙️ EP. 149
Bear Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/bear-hunting-series-e-books In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited podcast, Matt Hartsky…
- Backbone Unlimited Podcast
HOW TO READ AN ELK BASIN IN 5 MINUTES | FIND PUBLIC LAND ELK FAST | 🎙️ EP. 148
Elk Hunting e-Books 👉 https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down how to read an elk basin in…