Backbone Unlimited Podcast

Hunting mule deer on public land is one of the most mentally and physically demanding challenges in the West—and one of the most rewarding. In this episode, I share hard-earned lessons from 33+ years of chasing bucks across high country basins, rolling foothills, desert flats, and pressured public land. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the honest, boots-on-the-ground truth about what works, what doesn’t, and how to become the kind of hunter who consistently tags mature bucks in big country.

Whether you're planning your first DIY mule deer hunt or refining your backcountry strategy for a high-pressure rifle or archery season, this episode gives you the real-world knowledge to hunt smarter, last longer, and close the distance.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Recommended For:

If you're tired of glassing empty hillsides, blowing stalks, or getting outworked by the terrain, this episode gives you the tactics, confidence, and mindset to show up different this season.

Listen now and take the next step toward becoming a more effective public land mule deer hunter.

Planning your first public land hunt in the West? Whether you're chasing elk in Colorado, mule deer in Idaho, or trying to draw your first tag in Wyoming, this episode gives you the truth most hunters won’t tell you. No hype. No fluff. Just 100% real-world insight on how to prepare, hunt, and survive your first or next DIY western hunt.

I’m Matt Hartsky, and after 33+ years of Western big game hunting, I’ve learned what it really takes to succeed on public land elk and mule deer hunts—and in this episode, I’m giving you the crash course I wish I had when I started.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Perfect for:

This isn’t about luck. It’s about preparation, strategy, and mental grit. If you're looking for public land hunting tips, want to understand how to hunt elk in high-pressure units, or need a clear blueprint for planning your first western backcountry hunt, this episode delivers.

Listen now to learn how to hunt with purpose—and make every step in the West count.

Solo elk hunting on public land is one of the toughest challenges in Western hunting—and it’s not for the faint of heart. In this episode, I break down exactly how to prepare for and succeed on a DIY solo elk hunt, whether you’re heading deep into the backcountry with a bow or a rifle, in search of bulls with no backup and no margin for error.

I’m Matt Hartsky, founder of Backbone Unlimited. After more than 33 years of Western hunting, I’ve learned that solo elk hunts require a whole different level of mental toughness, physical prep, and tactical thinking. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do I have what it takes to do this alone?”—this is the real-world advice you need before boots hit the dirt.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Whether you’re hunting OTC units, preparing for your first public land solo elk hunt, or just looking to test your limits in the mountains, this episode is packed with hard-earned insight, practical strategies, and mindset tips to help you go further—alone.

Recommended for:

Listen now and build the skills, toughness, and confidence you’ll need when it’s just you, your pack, and the wild.

Want to become a more effective public land hunter? In this episode, we break down the top 3 backcountry hunting tactics every serious hunter must master: Still Hunting, Ambush Hunting, and Spot-and-Stalk. Whether you're chasing elk, mule deer, or other big game on public land, knowing when and how to apply each of these strategies is the key to consistent success in high-pressure units.

You’ll learn how to:

Whether you're bowhunting elk during the rut or rifle hunting during late season, this tactical breakdown gives you the decision-making framework to adapt and succeed. We focus on how to match each hunting method to the landscape, pressure level, and animal behavior you're facing—so you stop guessing and start getting into more game.

Built for:

Perfect to listen to while scouting, training, or heading into camp—this is your practical field guide for hunting smarter and staying lethal in the backcountry.

Hunting elk on public land and want real tactics that actually work in high-pressure units? This episode breaks down 7 field-proven elk hunting strategies to help you kill more bulls—especially if you're going solo, backpacking deep, or bowhunting elk in over-the-counter units.

Whether you’re preparing for your first DIY archery elk hunt or dialing in your plan for another backcountry elk hunting trip, these are the exact tactics I’ve used for over 30 seasons to locate, call in, and kill bulls on public ground.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

These aren't gimmicks or guesswork. These are high-level, field-tested public land elk hunting tactics that work when bulls go silent, when pressure spikes, and when you’re grinding through tough country alone or with a tight crew.

You'll also learn how to:

This is a must-listen for DIY backcountry elk hunters, whether you’re chasing September bugles with a bow or pushing ridges with a rifle later in the season. If you're tired of coming home empty and want to consistently put yourself in elk—this episode delivers.

For the serious public land hunter ready to level up their elk game, this episode is loaded with practical advice you can apply this season.

Struggling to find elk on public land? In this episode, we dive deep into the top signs you’re hunting a dead zone—and exactly what to do about it. If you’ve ever spent days glassing empty basins, hiking through dry, high-pressure terrain, or chasing silent bulls that vanish without a trace, this is your wake-up call.

Based on 33+ years of experience in the mountains, this episode covers how to:

This is a must-listen for anyone serious about elk hunting on public land—especially in high-pressure areas, OTC units, or during unpredictable rut phases. Whether you’re bowhunting elk during September or rifle hunting later in the season, these are the elk hunting tactics that keep you in the game when other hunters quit.

If you want to punch more elk tags, stop wasting time in empty country, and start making every decision with confidence, this episode is packed with the knowledge you need to adapt and succeed.

If you want to kill more elk on public land, your ability to stalk effectively might be the missing piece. In this episode, I break down 33+ years of elk hunting lessons specifically on how to stalk elk—not just sneaking through timber, but understanding wind, thermals, terrain, and timing in real-world backcountry scenarios.

You’ll learn how to identify stalk-worthy setups, how to approach bulls without getting busted, how to read thermals and shifting winds, and how to use terrain to your advantage. I cover still-hunting strategies, belly crawls, real hunt stories, and the mental discipline it takes to close the deal.

Whether you’re bowhunting elk during the rut or tracking velvet bulls early season, this is one of the most honest and tactical elk hunting podcasts you’ll hear on how to move in close and seal the deal.

🔹 Topics Covered:

The most common stalking mistakes elk hunters make

How to use wind and thermals like a pro

Terrain features that help (or ruin) your stalk

Why rushing is the #1 reason hunters blow close encounters

Real solo public land elk hunting breakdowns

This is more than just theory. It’s 30+ years of failed stalks, painful lessons, and bulls on the ground.

🎯 If you want to stalk smarter, hunt more intentionally, and close the gap with confidence—this episode will change your approach in the field.

If you're putting in the miles, packing the gear, and grinding it out—but still going home without a bull—you might be making the same critical mistake that costs most public land elk hunters their shot.

I’m Matt Hartsky with Backbone Unlimited, and in this episode, I break down the single most common timing error I see ruin elk hunts year after year. We’re talking about why first light and last light are everything when it comes to killing bulls on public land—and how to make sure you're finally in the right place at the right time.

We’ll cover:

Why bulls move differently on pressured public land

The two golden windows every hunter must prioritize

Common mistakes that blow your opportunity before the elk even show

How to structure your entire hunt to capitalize on the only hours that matter

Why trying to hunt elk all day might actually be hurting your odds

This episode is a wake-up call. If you're tired of burning boot leather and coming home empty-handed, this one's for you.

👉 Join the TEAM: https://BackboneUnlimited.com

What if your success in elk country came down to one overlooked detail—where you’re set up before daylight?

In this episode, I break down the one tactic that changed everything for me in elk hunting. It's not a gimmick. It's a real-world strategy based on elk behavior, pressure, thermals, and terrain. Once I started targeting transition zones between nighttime feeding and bedding areas, everything changed. I went from chasing bugles to being where the elk already want to go—and the results followed.

I'll walk you through:

What most hunters do wrong in the first hour of daylight

How to e-scout and identify "kill zones"

What kind of slope to target and why it works

How to move in the dark without blowing elk out

A subtle calling sequence that brings bulls in without overcalling

If you're tired of being one ridge too late or one bugle behind, this episode will change how you think about your approach.

Want to dive deeper? Check out our membership at BackboneUnlimited.com for full access to exclusive training, tactics, gear, and community.

Train harder. Hunt smarter. Live relentless.

New to elk hunting? This episode is your fast track to avoiding the rookie mistakes that ruin hunts. Whether you’re chasing bulls in big country for the first time or still trying to notch your first tag, I’m breaking down 5 essential tips every new elk hunter needs to hear.

From e-scouting strategies and calling discipline to understanding elk behavior and managing your gear—we cover the foundational skills that separate frustrated hunters from successful ones.

I’ve spent 33+ years hunting elk across the West. These are the exact lessons I wish someone had told me when I started.

In this episode:

The #1 mistake new elk hunters make

How to find elk on public land—without luck

Why calling can kill your hunt

The mental edge that keeps you in the game

What gear matters (and what doesn’t)

🎯 Learn faster. Hunt smarter. Stay in the game longer.

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