Episode Details

Where do elk go in October after the rut? Finding cows, old wallows and September rut sign doesn’t always put you close to a mature bull.

In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down how elk behavior changes after the rut and how to adjust your October elk hunting strategy on public land. Learn what recovering bulls look for, how hunting pressure affects their location, and why cold weather doesn’t always mean elk have moved lower.

We cover post-rut feeding and bedding areas, fresh elk sign, glassing, calling, and finding security cover hunters overlook. If your September spots have gone quiet, this episode will help you figure out where to look next.

📙 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