Episode Details

How do mature bull elk behave after the rut? A bull that spent September bugling and chasing cows may go quiet and become hard to find once breeding slows down.

In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down post-rut bull behavior and what it means for your October elk hunt. Learn how recovery, food and hunting pressure change where mature bulls spend their time, how far they move and whether they stay with the cows.

We cover solitary bulls, small bachelor groups, reduced calling, daylight movement and why the end of the rut doesn’t automatically send bulls to lower elevations. If you’re finding cows but struggling to locate mature bulls, this episode will help you adjust your approach.

📙 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