Backbone Unlimited Podcast

About 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 effectively. Episodes cover elk hunting strategy, mule deer hunting, bear hunting, public land tactics, archery elk hunting, rifle hunting, e-scouting, scouting, glassing, calling, bedding areas, feed, water, transition zones, mountain fitness, hunt planning, field decision-making, meat care, gear, pack-outs, and the mindset it takes to keep improving season after season. If you’re serious about becoming a more capable western hunter, Backbone Unlimited is built to help you train harder, hunt smarter, and never settle.

Publisher

Backbone Unlimited

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jun 2025

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

264 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   I'M FINDING TONS OF ELK SIGN BUT I'M NOT FINDING ELK, WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? | EP. 263

   You’re finding tracks, rubs, wallows, droppings, and heavily used trails—but you still can’t find the elk. What are you missing? In this episode, Matt Hartsky draws from 34 years of elk hunting experience to explain why an area covered in elk sign can still waste days of your hunt. He covers the difference between finding evidence that elk have used an area and finding information that can lead to a real opportunity. If you struggle to judge fresh versus old elk sign, keep following tracks without catching up, or repeatedly hunt areas that look perfect but feel empty, this episode will help you read the story behind the sign. You’re finding tracks, rubs, wallows, droppings, and heavily used trails—but you still can’t find the elk. What are you missing? In this episode, Matt Hartsky draws from 34 years of elk hunting experience to explain why an area covered in elk sign can still waste days of your hunt. He covers the difference between finding evidence that elk have used an area and finding information that can lead to a real opportunity. If you struggle to judge fresh versus old elk sign, keep following tracks without catching up, or repeatedly hunt areas that look perfect but feel empty, this episode will help you read the story behind the sign. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   HOW DO YOU LOCATE ELK WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THEY ARE? | EP. 262

   How do you locate elk when you arrive in a new area and have no idea where to begin? In this episode, Matt Hartsky draws from 34 years of elk hunting and guiding experience to explain how he approaches unfamiliar public land. He covers the mistakes that waste time, the information that helps narrow a large unit, and how to avoid hiking mile after mile without getting any closer to elk. If you’re hunting a new unit, facing miles of timber and multiple drainages, or struggling to find elk when you aren’t hearing bugles or seeing fresh tracks, this episode will help you start with a better plan. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

3. 

   13 Oct 2026

   HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO LEAVE AN AREA AND FIND NEW ELK? | EP. 261

   How do you know when it’s time to leave an area and find new elk? In this episode, Matt Hartsky draws from 34 years of elk hunting experience to tackle one of the hardest decisions on a public-land hunt. Leave too soon and you may abandon good elk country. Stay too long and you can waste valuable days hunting elk that are no longer there. Matt covers silent elk, fresh versus old sign, changing hunting pressure, blown setups, and the evidence he uses to decide whether to stay, adjust, or move on. If you’ve ever spent hours debating whether an area is quiet or truly empty, this episode will help you make that decision with more confidence. 📙 Elk Hunting E-Book Series (the complete elk hunting system — locating elk, reading pressure, wind and thermals, positioning, calling, and bowhunting execution) → https://backboneunlimited.com/collections/elk-hunting-series-e-books 📋 Elk Hunt Plan Audit — I'll personally review your specific unit, dates, access, terrain, pressure, wind strategy, and hunt approach before you head into the field → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/elk-hunt-plan-audit 👥 Team Backbone — Weekly coaching calls, ongoing elk hunting guidance, the full member vault, and a community of serious western hunters → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/membership 🦵 Backbone Unlimited Training Plans — Built specifically for the physical demands of mountain elk hunting: legs, lungs, durability, and the ability to handle hard miles under load → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/training 🥩 Nutrition Plans — Get leaner before season, fuel long days in the mountains, and dial in your hunting-season performance → https://backboneunlimited.com/pages/nutrition

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

14 ratings

Contact Backbone Unlimited Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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