Elk Hunting & Mindset Training That Actually Matters

Welcome to Backbone Unlimited—I’m Matt Hartsky. This episode isn’t just about elk hunting strategies or backcountry gear. It’s about the deeper, harder lessons that only the wilderness can teach—the kind that don’t show up in books, podcasts, or hunting forums. These are the truths you earn when you’re ten miles in, soaked to the bone, and still pushing forward.

Inside This Episode:

You’ll hear the 5 biggest backcountry lessons that changed my life as a hunter, a father, and a man. These aren’t theories. They’re field-forged truths—shaped by real elk hunts, real pain, and real growth.

We’ll talk about:

How failure, pressure, and grit build better hunters

The mental tools I rely on when the mountain gets brutal

What elk hunting taught me about parenting, business, and grief

Why the backcountry is the ultimate mirror for personal growth

How to apply these hard-won lessons to your own life and hunts

If you’re a public land elk hunter, backcountry grinder, or just a man in a hard season—this episode is for you. It’s raw, real, and built for those who live relentless.