Episode Details

Should you glass, still-hunt, or sit and wait for elk? Choosing the right approach can make the difference between finding elk and spending the day hunting past them.

In this episode of the Backbone Unlimited Podcast, Matt Hartsky breaks down when to use each method and how to adjust as the hunt unfolds. Learn how terrain, visibility, fresh sign, wind and elk movement help you decide whether to keep watching, move into cover or get ahead of a travel pattern.

We cover glassing positions, slowing down in thick timber, choosing an ambush location, and planning your entry and exit. If you’re unsure whether to move or stay put, this episode will help you make that decision with a reason behind it.

📙 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