This One Elk Hunting Mistake Is Why You’re Not Killing Bulls on Public Land

I’m Matt Hartsky, and I founded Backbone Unlimited to help you Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

With 33 years of Western big game hunting and 29 years as a professional strength, conditioning, and nutrition coach, I share the tactics, training, and mindset that lead to success—on the mountain and in life. This brand is about more than elk and mule deer. It’s about living with backbone in a world full of excuses—crushing limits and refusing to quit.

After losing my oldest son to suicide, I made it my mission to help anyone struggling with mental health and to build a community of hunters who push each other forward.

When you join Team Backbone, you get direct coaching from me, a private group of like-minded hunters, an exclusive monthly shirt, 20% off gear, giveaways, and member-only content to help you sharpen your edge.

Join us at BackboneUnlimited.com and let’s Train Harder, Hunt Smarter and Never Settle.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Intro: The One Mistake Costing You Elk Hunts
1:11 – How Elk Actually Move on Public Land
1:50 – The 2 Golden Windows: First Light and Last Light
3:45 – How to Hunt Mornings the Right Way
6:20 – Why Evenings Kill More Bulls Than Mornings
8:46 – You’re Not Beating Elk Midday—Here’s What to Do Instead
10:13 – Avoid Burning Out—Hunt Smart, Not Just Hard
11:01 – The Final 10 Seconds: What Separates Killers From Hikers
11:55 – Fix This Mistake—And Join the 10% Who Succeed
You’re doing everything right… except for the one thing that matters most.

If you’re not hunting during the only hours elk are truly moving, you’re wasting your entire season. This episode breaks down the #1 mistake I see public land elk hunters make—missing the critical windows at first light and last light.

I’ll show you why this is the moment that separates the killers from the quitters—and how to finally put yourself in the right place at the right time to fill your tag.

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In this episode, I cover:

The two critical windows every day elk actually move

Why most hunters blow their best shot before it even happens

How to hunt early mornings right (and avoid busting elk)

Why last light is your best friend—and how to be set up for it

The mindset shift that separates success from struggle

How to build your entire day around these 1–2 hour windows

If you’re tired of near-misses, blown stalks, and going home empty—this is the episode that will flip your strategy and fix your biggest blind spot.

#elkhunting #publiclandhunting #backcountryhunting