Backbone Unlimited Podcast

When elk seem unpredictable, the terrain is telling you exactly where they’re going—you just have to learn how to read it. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked tactics in elk hunting—how to find and hunt natural funnels that guide elk movement between feeding, bedding, and safety zones. Every herd on the mountain follows a rhythm shaped by food, security, and terrain. By understanding how ridges, saddles, benches, and drainages quietly funnel elk through specific corridors, you can start predicting movement instead of chasing it. Matt explains how to identify these natural travel routes both on a map and in the field, how wind and timing affect elk use of each funnel, and how to set up effectively for both archery and rifle hunts. From early-morning transitions to late-season travel between habitats, you’ll learn how to intercept elk where terrain forces them to move—and how to read sign, pressure, and thermals to stay one step ahead. This episode is packed with actionable tips for Western hunters who want to move from guesswork to precision. Whether you’re hunting high-country basins or timbered draws, learning to use natural funnels will transform how you scout, plan, and execute. Elk aren’t random—they’re predictable when you understand the mountain the way they do.

When the bugles fade and the mountains go quiet, most hunters call it a season. But that’s when the real challenge begins. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to spot and stalk lone bulls after the rut—when survival, not dominance, drives every move they make. You’ll learn how to read post-rut elk behavior, where bulls go to recover after weeks of chaos, and how to use glassing, wind, and terrain to move in without being detected. Matt walks through every phase of this process in detail—from finding quiet mid-elevation sanctuaries and breaking down north-facing slopes, to planning stalks around shifting thermals and executing calm, precise final approaches. This is elk hunting stripped to its purest form—no calling, no chaos, just patience, discipline, and pure fieldcraft. If you’ve ever wanted to master post-rut elk hunting or elevate your spot-and-stalk skills across the West, this episode delivers hard-earned insight built on decades of experience. Learn to hunt with intent, move with purpose, and finish with control. Because when the noise ends, the mountain belongs to those who slow down and think like a bull.

October separates hunters who chase elk from those who understand them. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to glass October bulls in transition zones—the overlooked pockets where post-rut elk recover, feed, and survive when the mountains go quiet. After the chaos of September fades, bulls retreat into small, protected sanctuaries that hold feed, water, shade, and safety. Learning how to find and glass these zones is what turns October from a frustrating lull into one of the most rewarding times of the season. Matt explains how to identify productive mid-elevation transition areas, how post-rut bulls use them day to day, and how to adjust your glassing position, timing, and angles for maximum visibility without blowing your scent. You’ll learn how light, thermals, and terrain all interact to expose hidden elk—and why patience, not mileage, kills more bulls this month than any other factor. This episode teaches you how to hunt October elk by reading the land instead of chasing noise. From understanding slope aspect and wind behavior to interpreting subtle movement through your glass, it’s a masterclass in post-rut precision. If you’ve ever stared across empty drainages in October wondering where all the elk went, this one shows you the truth—they didn’t leave. You just need to learn how to see them.

When the bugles fade and the herds scatter, most hunters think elk season is over. But it isn’t—it just changes form. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky explains what really happens to elk herds after the rut ends—and how to hunt smarter when the chaos turns quiet. September’s unity gives way to October’s separation as bulls peel off to recover, cows and calves regroup into smaller family units, and pressure, weather, and predators reshape the mountain. Matt breaks down how herd dynamics fracture after breeding, why bulls vanish into recovery pockets, how cow-calf groups reorganize for safety and efficiency, and how outside factors like temperature swings and hunting pressure accelerate those shifts. You’ll learn how to read this “reset” phase—spotting micro-movements, glassing subtle edges, and identifying those overlooked transition zones that hold elk long after the bugles stop. This conversation is packed with insight on post-rut elk strategy, behavior, and terrain use across the West—helping you adapt your mindset from chasing sound to interpreting patterns. Because the quiet season isn’t the end of elk hunting; it’s the most calculated phase of it. If you’ve ever wondered where the elk go after September, this episode will show you they never left—you just have to learn how to see them differently.

After the rut ends and the mountains go quiet, most hunters think the elk have disappeared. The truth is—they’ve just changed the rules. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of October elk hunting: how cow and calf movement shifts after the rut and how that change dictates where bulls, pressure, and opportunity all stack up on the mountain. Matt explains the full post-rut reset—how big herds dissolve into smaller family groups, how those cows and calves move down through elevation bands, and why the transition zone becomes prime habitat through mid and late October. You’ll learn how to identify benches, glades, and slopes that offer the perfect mix of food, cover, and consistent thermals—and why that’s exactly where the herd settles when the chaos fades. He also dives deep into daily rhythm and survival behavior: how cows time feeding, bedding, and water runs, how weather fronts and frost push movement, and how pressure and predators tighten their range. You’ll hear how understanding the subtle routine of these family groups gives you a roadmap to find bulls nearby—since post-rut bulls always shadow where cows and calves feed and rest. This episode teaches you to stop chasing sound and start reading the mountain. When you can interpret elk behavior by rhythm, feed, and wind—not bugles—you’ll find more elk in October than most hunters see all season. If you’re serious about mastering post-rut elk hunting, this is the one to study before heading into the next season.

In October, the mountains change every day—and so do the elk. One day it’s hot and still, the next it’s snowing sideways. Those shifting weather fronts don’t just change how it feels to hunt—they completely rewrite how elk move, feed, and bed. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to read the sky the same way you read sign on the mountain. You’ll learn how barometric pressure, wind, and temperature swings shape elk movement before, during, and after a front, and how to time your hunts to line up with those exact behavior shifts. Matt explains how bulls feed aggressively right before a storm, where they hole up when the wind hits, and why the 24 hours after a front passes are often the best hunting window of the entire fall. He covers how to interpret weather-driven elk behavior—from feeding urgency to bedding decisions—and how to predict elevation shifts, thermal changes, and leeward slope movement that most hunters overlook. If you’ve ever wondered why the elk vanished after a storm, or why a single cold front suddenly fills an empty basin with fresh sign, this episode breaks it all down. You’ll walk away knowing exactly when to push, when to wait, and how to stay one step ahead of every system that rolls through. For hunters who want to master October elk hunting, this is the playbook for turning bad weather into your best advantage.

Snow changes everything in the elk woods—and in October, it can make or break your hunt. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky dives deep into how October elk behavior shifts when storms roll in versus when the mountains stay bare. You’ll learn exactly how snow vs no-snow conditions affect elk movement, bedding, and feeding patterns—and more importantly, how to adapt your tactics to stay in the game when everyone else is lost. Matt breaks down what happens during warm, dry Octobers when elk linger high, scattered across post-rut zones, and how early snow compresses herds, funnels movement, and exposes travel corridors. He explains how to read elevation shifts, glass smarter when visibility changes, and predict where bulls will relocate as forage and pressure collide. You’ll also hear detailed insight on elk feeding priorities, thermal cover, and survival behavior—why bulls focus on calories and comfort, how weather alters their diet, and how wind, terrain, and hunting pressure shape every move they make. From dry-year patience hunts to snow-year mobility strategies, Matt lays out the blueprint for reading conditions and reacting in real time. Whether you’re glassing timber edges in a no-snow year or tracking fresh sign through mid-elevation benches after an early storm, this episode gives you the roadmap for adapting your October elk hunting strategy to the conditions in front of you.

By October, the rut is over—and so is the chaos. The bulls that were screaming across the mountain just weeks ago are silent, thin, and focused on survival. That’s when everything about elk behavior changes, and the hunters who understand what drives them now keep filling tags long after everyone else goes home. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly what elk eat in October and how their entire survival strategy revolves around food. You’ll learn why bulls shift from high-protein summer forbs to energy-rich shrubs and browse, how frost and slope aspect change feeding patterns, and how to pinpoint the micro-habitats where calories, cover, and moisture come together. Matt explains how to read terrain for hidden green pockets, identify prime browse zones, and use slope angle, moisture retention, and sun exposure to find active feeding areas when the rest of the mountain looks dead. You’ll also hear how bulls shorten their movement loops, feeding for efficiency instead of distance, and why locating the overlap between good feed and dark timber is the secret to consistent late-season elk hunting success. This is the episode that teaches you to stop chasing sound and start reading the mountain like a recovering bull—one focused on calories, security, and efficiency. If you want to find elk after the rut, this is how you do it: follow the feed, read the slopes, and match your strategy to their survival instincts.

After the bugles fade and the rut chaos dies down, most hunters walk off the mountain thinking the season’s over. But that silence doesn’t mean the elk are gone—it means their priorities have changed. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the complete post-rut transformation that happens between October and November—how bulls recover, relocate, and survive after the rut ends. You’ll learn why mature bulls vanish into dark timber, what fuels their feeding and bedding choices, and how to adjust your tactics to match their new rhythm. Matt explains the physiological crash bulls go through after losing up to 30% of their body weight, and how that drives every decision they make through late fall. He dives into post-rut elk feeding patterns, security zones, bedding strategies, and how to recognize the subtle terrain features that reveal where bulls actually live when the mountains go quiet. You’ll also learn how hunting pressure, thermals, and changing cow behavior shape bull movement—and how to plan deliberate, low-impact hunts that work when calling no longer does. This episode is all about thinking like a bull in recovery—reading sign, interpreting terrain, and hunting with patience instead of noise. It’s one of the most tactical deep-dives into late-season elk hunting you’ll hear, built on decades of real-world experience. If you’re ready to stop chasing the ghost of September and start finding bulls through the silence of October and November, this one will reshape how you hunt the post-rut forever.

When the bugles fade and the rut chaos dies down, October becomes a thinking man’s month — and mastering ridges and high points is the difference between hiking blind and hunting with purpose. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to use ridges, thermals, and elevation to your advantage when hunting elk and mule deer in October. You’ll learn how to identify productive ridge systems, where to glass from, and how to dissect mountain country efficiently when animals go quiet and pressure rises. Matt explains how to spot travel ridges versus dead ridges, why high points are your most valuable observation platforms, and how to think in three dimensions when reading terrain. He dives deep into October wind and thermal management, showing you how to stay in control of scent and position all day long. You’ll also hear when to stay high, when to drop low, and how to transition between patience and aggression depending on what the mountain gives you. This is one of the most tactical October elk hunting and mule deer hunting breakdowns you’ll hear — packed with real-world methods for turning “empty country” into consistent opportunity. Whether you’re glassing big basins or side-hilling through broken timber, this strategy teaches you how to hunt smarter, move less, and let the terrain work for you. If you’ve ever felt lost after the rut, this episode will reset your October mindset and show you how to make elevation, wind, and patience your biggest weapons in the mountains.

Most hunters walk past the best elk spots in October—and that’s exactly why they stay full of elk. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the truth about October elk hunting and how to find the hidden pockets where bulls and cows vanish after the rut. The bugles fade, the pressure rises, and the mountains feel empty—but the elk haven’t disappeared. They’ve shifted into overlooked terrain: dark timber pockets, north-facing rims, mid-elevation benches, hidden seeps, burn edges, and the steep, nasty holes no one wants to hike into. Matt explains how post-rut elk behavior changes the game. You’ll learn why bulls prioritize recovery and security, how thermals, slope, and shade dictate their bedding choices, and why pressure pushes them into places most hunters ignore. He breaks down how to hunt dark timber methodically, how to glass overlooked benches and transition corridors, and how to intercept quiet, cautious elk in the middle of October when calling is no longer the play. You’ll also hear practical tips for reading subtle sign, managing wind, and hunting these honey holes at the right times of day. Whether you’re running a rifle, bow, or muzzleloader, this episode gives you a full strategy for turning “dead season” into your most productive hunt of the year. If you’re tired of empty drainages and want to learn how to locate elk long after the rut, this is the October blueprint.

When the mountains freeze and the bugles stop, late-season hunting becomes a game of clues—and the hunters who win are the ones who can read them right. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most important cold-weather skills a hunter can have: judging the freshness of sign when everything’s frozen. After three decades of late-season Western hunts, Matt shares exactly how he reads tracks, droppings, beds, and scent in the snow and frost to determine whether animals are still close—or long gone. You’ll learn how freezing temperatures preserve sign and why sharp edges, moisture, and melt patterns tell a clearer story than color or shape ever will. Matt explains how to read tracks in snow versus frozen ground, how droppings change in the cold, and how melted beds, frost crystals, and scent clues all layer together to form a reliable system. He also reveals how to factor in environmental influences—sun exposure, wind, slope, and temperature swings—that can make old sign look new or erase fresh trails overnight. This isn’t theory—it’s a masterclass in late-season elk and mule deer hunting tactics, designed to help you recognize real-time activity and avoid chasing ghosts. Whether you’re glassing ridges after a snowstorm or following frozen sign in timber, you’ll learn how to build your own system for reading the mountain and staying on hot animals when others are wandering blind. If you’re serious about becoming a smarter, more efficient cold-weather hunter, this episode will teach you how to interpret every clue nature gives you—and how to turn that understanding into late-season success.

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down everything nonresident hunters need to know about applying for big game tags in Idaho—including the major changes coming for the 2026 season. Idaho has always stood out among Western states for doing things differently, and this year it takes another big step: moving from the old first-come, first-served system to a structured draw for nonresident general elk, mule deer, and pronghorn tags. Matt explains how the new two-window draw system works, when to apply, and how to avoid the costly mistakes that ruin most applications. You’ll learn how to buy your nonresident hunting license correctly, how to structure your hunt choices, and how Idaho’s new process balances fairness with opportunity. He also walks through how to read the A-tag vs. B-tag elk system, pick smart backup zones, and stay on top of claim deadlines so you never lose a tag you’ve drawn. For mule deer hunters, this episode dives into Idaho’s unit-specific general tags—why they’re capped, how to select units strategically, and how to use harvest data and returned-tag sales to your advantage. And for pronghorn hunters, Matt outlines Idaho’s fully controlled-hunt system, explaining why every tag is a true lottery and what strategies actually give nonresidents a fighting chance. Whether you’re planning your first Idaho hunt or refining your multi-state application strategy, this episode gives you a step-by-step understanding of how to navigate Idaho’s evolving draw structure, maximize your odds, and keep yourself in the game every single year.

When the rut ends and the mountains go quiet, most hunters think October is a dead zone. But the truth is, it’s one of the best times to tag a bull—if you understand bedding-to-feeding patterns. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how elk transition from the chaos of September to the calculated survival mode of October. You’ll learn how post-rut elk behavior shifts once bulls are worn down and focused on food, cover, and safety, and why mastering these bedding-to-feeding patterns gives you the biggest edge of the season. Matt walks through everything that drives elk movement in October—how bedding areas change with elevation, slope, thermals, and pressure; what bulls and cows are eating as high-country feed dries up; and how to pinpoint the travel corridors that link bed and feed. He also explains how to time your hunts for morning and evening movement, how weather and moon phase affect elk activity, and why reading the wind and terrain is the difference between success and a blown stalk. You’ll also hear about proven strategies for ambush setups, intercept plays, and still-hunting travel routes that work when bugles have gone silent. Matt outlines the biggest mistakes hunters make this time of year—like calling too aggressively or sticking to obvious spots—and how to adapt to changing conditions before snow and pressure push elk out of your reach. If you’re serious about October elk hunting and want to fill your tag when others have packed it in, this episode will teach you how to think like a recovering bull—efficient, cautious, and predictable—and how to use that mindset to turn quiet mountains into high-odds encounters.

When the bugles stop and the snow starts to fall, most hunters hang it up—but the best elk hunters know that late season success comes down to one skill: glassing smarter. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down everything he’s learned from more than 30 years of chasing bulls through the western mountains during the toughest part of the season. This is a masterclass in late season elk hunting tactics—from understanding how post-rut bulls use terrain and cover, to learning where to glass when the mountains go quiet. You’ll hear how elk behavior changes after the rut, why bulls drop into different elevations, and how pressure, snow, and feed availability drive every move they make. Matt shares the exact process he uses to pick late season glassing locations, how to grid and dissect terrain efficiently, and how to spot hidden bulls by reading contrast, color, and subtle movement in the timber. You’ll also learn how to interpret elk behavior from afar—how to read posture, feeding and bedding habits, and travel direction before making your move. This episode goes deep on the mental side of late season hunting: how to stay sharp behind the glass, manage fatigue, and keep your focus when the weather’s brutal and the country looks empty. If you’re serious about finding more elk when everyone else thinks the season is over, this episode will show you how to turn your optics into your biggest weapon and outlast the mountain with discipline, patience, and skill.

When September ends, most hunters think the show’s over. The bugles fade, the herds scatter, and the mountain goes quiet. But for those who know what’s really happening, October elk hunting is one of the best windows of the entire season. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the shift from rut to post-rut — what mature bulls do when the chaos stops and survival begins. You’ll learn how to locate solitary bulls after the rut, what makes them go underground, and why the biggest bulls of the year vanish into cover while everyone else heads home. Matt unpacks how elk behavior changes after the rut, why bulls move from breeding to recovery mode, and how pressure, weather, and feed drive every decision they make. You’ll hear detailed breakdowns on habitats October bulls favor, how to use feed and water to predict movement, and how to glass and track elk when bugles go silent. From reading subtle sign in thick timber to understanding how cold fronts and pressure push bulls into overlooked country, every section gives you a clear path to success in the post-rut. You’ll also learn how to seal the deal when it counts — spot-and-stalk tactics, ambush setups, and how to manage thermals and wind when bulls are cautious, quiet, and surviving on instinct. October hunts aren’t about running ridges or chasing echoes — they’re about slowing down, thinking like a bull, and hunting smart when everyone else has given up. Whether you’re planning an October elk hunt in dark timber or glassing mid-elevation transition zones, this episode will help you adapt, stay patient, and make the right moves when mature bulls are at their most guarded.

Welcome to Backbone Unlimited with Matt Hartsky — where experience meets strategy for the western elk hunter. In this episode, Matt breaks down one of the most important tactical questions every elk hunter faces: Should you spot-and-stalk or sit tight in an ambush? Both methods can produce results, but the key is knowing when each works best. Using decades of experience across multiple western states, Matt walks through how elk behavior shifts from early September through the post-rut — and how adapting your approach can turn empty days into filled tags. You’ll learn how to read early rut elk patterns, when bulls are quiet, scattered, and more patternable — the perfect window for spot-and-stalk success. Matt explains how to glass efficiently, move with thermals, and time your stalks for maximum advantage. You’ll also hear how to build effective ambush setups on travel corridors, water sources, and bedding transitions when elk movement is predictable but pressure is high. As the rut peaks, the episode dives into how to manage chaos — chasing bugles without blowing herds, understanding herd dynamics, and positioning ambushes near cow magnets like water, saddles, and staging zones. When the bugles fade in late September and October, the focus shifts to post-rut elk behavior, where survival, food, and cover drive every move. Matt reveals how to track fresh sign, locate refuge areas, and use patience to outsmart bulls that seem to vanish after the rut. This episode is a masterclass on elk hunting adaptability — blending calling, stalking, and ambush tactics to match the phase of the rut, weather, and pressure. Whether you’re a bowhunter slipping into timber at 40 yards or a rifle hunter glassing distant ridges, these lessons will help you read elk behavior, make smarter moves, and stay in the game all season long. If you’ve ever wondered why some hunters fill tags while others burn out chasing bugles, this breakdown gives you the blueprint. Tune in, take notes, and start thinking like the elk you’re after.

September elk don’t just chase cows—they chase calories. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt breaks down how feed quality, beetle kill, and burns truly dictate elk movement—and how to turn those habitat shifts into high-odds hunts. Learn why bulls, cows, and calves key on different foods through the month, how forage quality evolves from early to late September, and what that means for daily travel distance and timing. We dissect beetle-kill country (edge use, deadfall travel lanes, visibility/security tradeoffs) and fire scars from 1–3 years (feed magnets) to 4–10+ years (browse/bedting and cover), plus how pressure pushes herds to operate on the fringes, not the centers. You’ll get a tactical blueprint: e-scouting tells (color/greenness, fire-year overlays, topo funnels), on-the-ground sign checks (crisp tracks, shiny scat, wet-clipped forage, tacky rubs), edge and funnel ambush setups, subtle calling that fits disturbed country, and fast adaptations when feed shifts elevation or aspect midweek. If you’ve ever walked through a “perfect” burn or beetle kill and wondered where the elk went, this episode shows you how to read the seams—and be waiting when the herd slips through. Keywords: elk feed quality, beetle kill elk hunting, hunting burns, September elk forage, elk edges & funnels, reading elk sign, e-scouting burns, disturbed habitat tactics, OTC elk strategy, archery elk thermals.

Evening elk hunts give you one short window—just a couple of hours after work or before dark. That limited time can be pure gold if you know how to play it, but a disaster if you don’t. Success in the evenings comes down to one thing: discipline. The right entry, the right setup, and the right wind management can put elk in your lap when everyone else is blowing their chance at last light. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down evening elk strategies that work. You’ll learn how to set up in travel funnels between bedding and feed, how to use staging timber to your advantage, and why managing the thermal flip is the key to sealing the deal when the light fades. I’ll also share simple ambush setups, calling adjustments, and recovery strategies for when you do punch a tag at last light. If you’ve ever struggled to make short evening hunts count, this episode will give you the blueprint for hunting smarter and stacking the odds in your favor.

Opening weekend feels electric—bugles echoing, fresh sign everywhere, elk seemingly around every corner. But fast forward a few days and the mountain goes quiet. Bugles taper off, tracks fade, and it feels like the elk vanished. They didn’t. They adapted. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down where elk really go after opening week and how you can stay in the game when the easy action dies down. We’ll cover the “pressure push” and how hunter traffic changes elk behavior, why refuge zones and overlooked hideouts hold elk when everyone else is striking out, and how mid-September behavior shifts make bulls more cautious but also more predictable. If you’ve ever felt frustrated when the woods went silent after the opener, this episode gives you a clear strategy for finding pressured elk, adjusting your tactics, and grinding through the toughest part of the season.