In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how he plans an entire western hunting year—from tag applications and long-range strategy to training phases, scouting windows, in-season execution, recovery, and the post-season review that shapes the next year. This episode is not about quick tips or last-minute preparation. It is a full look at how successful elk and mule deer seasons are built months before opening day.

Matt explains why so many hunters feel rushed, scattered, or behind when the season arrives, and how that problem usually starts with poor year-long planning. He walks through how he evaluates application decisions, why he never lets a year depend on a single tag, and how guaranteed time on the mountain matters more than dream scenarios that rely on luck. The episode dives deep into how training phases should shift throughout the year, why durability and recovery matter more than short-term fitness peaks, and how fatigue quietly changes decision making in the field.

The conversation also covers scouting in detail, including how to use e-scouting to understand terrain and pressure patterns, how boots-on-the-ground scouting should answer specific questions instead of chasing sign, and how in-season observations become critical data for future years. Matt explains how gear systems, food planning, sleep, and logistics either reduce friction or steal energy, and why simplifying systems is a major advantage during long seasons.

This episode is designed for DIY public land hunters who want more consistency, less chaos, and more confidence heading into elk and mule deer seasons. If you want to stop planning hunts in isolation and start planning an entire year with intention, this episode lays out the framework in full.