Want to Kill More Elk This Season? Start by Understanding Elk Behavior

Whether you're new to elk hunting or have decades of experience, success starts with one thing—knowing what elk are doing and why throughout the entire season.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down the five distinct phases of elk season—from early season to late season—so you can stop guessing, adapt your tactics, and finally hunt elk on their terms, not yours.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How elk behavior shifts from early season to post-rut

Archery and rifle tactics based on real-time elk priorities

When to call, when to go silent, and how to read elk body language

How bulls and cows move, feed, and vocalize throughout each phase

Why most hunters fail to adapt—and how to avoid their mistakes

This is your complete seasonal elk hunting guide—packed with actionable advice for public land hunters. Whether you're dialing in your early season elk hunting strategy, learning how to call elk during the rut, trying to locate post-rut bulls, or chasing elk in the late season, this episode delivers the insight you need to make smarter moves and create more opportunities.

If you're serious about tagging more bulls—and want to understand elk on a deeper level—this episode is a must-listen.