
Insights from recent episode analysis
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Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 2 chart positions in 2 markets.
By chart position
- 🇨🇦CA · Wilderness#43100K to 300K
- 🇺🇸US · Wilderness#6330K to 100K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
39K to 120K🎙 Daily cadence·100 episodes·Last published today - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
130K to 400K🇨🇦75%🇺🇸25% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
52K to 160K
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
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Recent episodes
ELK HUNTING WATER SOURCES - THE WATER SOURCE STRATEGY THAT FINDS BULLS OTHER HUNTERS MISS | 🎙️ EP. 183
May 19, 2026
17m 43s
THE REAL REASONS MATURE MULE DEER BUCKS FEEL INVISIBLE | 🎙️ EP. 182
May 18, 2026
17m 46s
THE ELK HUNTING CONDITIONING MISTAKE THAT CAN END YOUR SEASON BEFORE IT STARTS | 🎙️ EP. 181
May 17, 2026
15m 19s
THE MONTANA ELK HUNTING PREPARATION SYSTEM THAT FINDS BULLS ON PUBLIC LAND | 🎙️ EP. 180
May 16, 2026
13m 31s
THE PACK WEIGHT STRATEGY THAT KEEPS YOU ELK HUNTING | 🎙️ EP. 179
May 15, 2026
12m 38s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/19/26 | ![]() ELK HUNTING WATER SOURCES - THE WATER SOURCE STRATEGY THAT FINDS BULLS OTHER HUNTERS MISS | 🎙️ EP. 183 | In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to elk hunt water sources the right way and why most hunters completely misunderstand how bulls actually use water during elk hunting season. This episode covers the difference between destination water, transition water, and hidden security water, how pressure changes elk movement around ponds, creeks, wallows, seeps, and springs, and why the best elk hunting setups are often away from the water itself. Matt explains how wind, thermals, bedding cover, approach routes, and hunting pressure all affect daylight water use, while also teaching how to scout hidden water sources using topo maps, satellite imagery, terrain features, vegetation clues, and elk sign. If you want to become more consistent at finding public land bulls during archery elk season, this episode delivers a complete elk hunting water strategy built around real elk behavior, not guesswork. | 17m 43s | ||||||
| 5/18/26 | ![]() THE REAL REASONS MATURE MULE DEER BUCKS FEEL INVISIBLE | 🎙️ EP. 182 | In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down why mature mule deer feel invisible and why big bucks can live in the same country hunters glass every day without ever being seen. This mule deer hunting episode explains how mature bucks use security cover, broken terrain, bedding areas, wind, pressure, shadows, escape routes, and narrow movement windows to avoid exposure on public land and across Western hunting country. If you are trying to find mature mule deer, improve your glassing strategy, understand buck bedding behavior, hunt pressured mule deer more effectively, or stop wasting time in country that only looks good from a distance, this episode will help you read the landscape differently and start seeing the hidden details most hunters miss. | 17m 46s | ||||||
| 5/17/26 | ![]() THE ELK HUNTING CONDITIONING MISTAKE THAT CAN END YOUR SEASON BEFORE IT STARTS | 🎙️ EP. 181 | In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the conditioning gap that ends too many elk hunting seasons before they ever really start. Elk hunting fitness is not just hiking, jogging, or getting in better shape before September. It is the ability to climb, carry weight, recover, control your breathing, think clearly, and execute when the mountain gets hard. Matt explains why general cardio is not enough for Western elk hunting, how altitude exposes poor preparation, why loaded strength endurance and downhill control matter, and how hunters can train smarter before the season. If you are preparing for archery elk hunting, public land elk hunting, backcountry hunting, or mountain hunting, this episode will help you understand what real elk hunting conditioning requires and how to close the gap before it costs you an opportunity. | 15m 19s | ||||||
| 5/16/26 | ![]() THE MONTANA ELK HUNTING PREPARATION SYSTEM THAT FINDS BULLS ON PUBLIC LAND | 🎙️ EP. 180 | In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to prepare after drawing a Montana elk tag and how to build a real elk hunting plan before the season starts. Instead of showing up with a loose idea and reacting when pressure, access, weather, terrain, and elk movement change, Matt explains how to approach Montana elk hunting with structure, clarity, and confidence. This episode covers public land elk hunting preparation, archery elk hunting, rifle elk hunting, access strategy, pressure planning, terrain-specific decision-making, backup hunt zones, elk movement, and the physical and mental preparation needed to stay effective when conditions shift. If you drew a Montana elk tag and want to hunt smarter instead of guessing your way through the season, this episode will help you show up ready. Find all the links on the YouTube version of this episode. | 13m 31s | ||||||
| 5/15/26 | ![]() THE PACK WEIGHT STRATEGY THAT KEEPS YOU ELK HUNTING | 🎙️ EP. 179 | In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the hidden cost of carrying too much weight in the elk mountains. A heavy pack can feel like preparation before the hunt starts, but once you are climbing, sidehilling, fighting deadfall, and trying to stay sharp for multiple days, every unnecessary pound starts taking energy, mobility, focus, and opportunity. This episode is not about going dangerously light or leaving essential gear behind. It is about building a smarter pack system that keeps you safe, capable, and functional when the mountain starts wearing hunters down. | 12m 38s | ||||||
| 5/14/26 | ![]() BREAKING THE PATTERN THAT KEEPS ELK HUNTERS STUCK SEASON AFTER SEASON | 🎙️ EP. 178 | In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down how to go from your first elk hunt to becoming a more consistent elk hunter faster than most hunters ever will. After 34+ years of hunting and guiding Western big game, Matt has seen the same pattern over and over again: two hunters can hunt the same unit, during the same season, with the same amount of effort—and one starts figuring elk out while the other stays stuck for years. The difference is not always experience, luck, or working harder. A lot of times, it comes down to how a hunter is learning while they are actually in the field. This episode is for elk hunters who are tired of repeating the same season, making the same mistakes, and wondering why more effort is not leading to more consistency. Matt talks through what actually helps hunters improve faster, how to think differently in elk country, and why awareness, feedback, and better decision-making matter more than simply covering more miles. If you are preparing for your first elk hunt, trying to become a better public land elk hunter, or looking for a more structured way to improve season after season, this episode will help you understand what separates hunters who progress from hunters who stay stuck. | 12m 39s | ||||||
| 5/13/26 | ![]() THE ONE HABIT THAT TRANSFORMED MY ELK HUNTING | 🎙️ EP. 177 | In this episode, Matt Hartsky breaks down the one habit that completely changed his elk hunting results—and it has nothing to do with tactics, gear, or calling. After 34+ years of hunting and guiding Western big game, Matt shares the turning point that exposed what was really holding him back. Despite putting in the effort, covering ground, and doing everything most hunters believe it takes to be successful, the results weren’t consistent. The issue wasn’t effort—it was something far more subtle that shows up in every hunt. This episode dives into why so many hunters fall into autopilot without realizing it, how they unknowingly repeat the same mistakes, and why pushing harder rarely fixes the problem. Matt explains how missed opportunities often come from overlooking what’s happening in real time, and how a single shift in approach can change everything—from positioning and decision-making to overall consistency in the field. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still struggling to find elk consistently, this episode will challenge how you think about effort, awareness, and what actually matters when you’re hunting. | 12m 04s | ||||||
| 5/12/26 | ![]() MULE DEER HUNTING: THE FASTEST WAY TO FIND A BUCK ANYWHERE | 🎙️ EP. 176 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down the fastest way to consistently find mule deer bucks anywhere you hunt in the West. Drawing from more than three decades of experience hunting and guiding Western big game, Matt explains why most hunters aren’t failing due to lack of effort—but because they’re spending too much time in the wrong country with no system behind their decisions. This episode challenges the common approach of wandering, hoping, and committing emotionally to spots that simply don’t hold deer. Instead, Matt lays out a clear, repeatable framework built on one key principle: speed comes from elimination. He explains how to quickly identify low-probability terrain, move efficiently through country, and focus only on areas that actually support mule deer behavior in real time. You’ll learn how to break down a new unit fast, when to stay and when to leave, and how to prioritize multiple basins instead of wasting days in one unproductive area. Matt also dives into the core conditions that dictate where mature bucks live, including wind and thermals, hunting pressure, feed quality, and security cover. These non-negotiables form the foundation for making better decisions in the field. The episode also covers how to recognize when you’re getting close, what signs actually matter, and how to shift from reacting to anticipating movement so you can position yourself effectively before opportunities happen. If you’ve ever felt like you’re putting in the work but still not finding deer, this episode will help you cut through the guesswork and start making faster, more confident decisions in the field. #muledeerhunting #publiclandhunting #backboneunlimited | 14m 49s | ||||||
| 5/11/26 | ![]() BEAR HUNTING WITH JOSH KIRCHNER - WHAT YOU'RE GETTING WRONG ABOUT BEAR BEHAVIOR | 🎙️ EP. 175 | Bear Hunting with Josh Kirchner - What You're Getting Wrong About Bear Behavior is a ground-level conversation with one of Western hunting's most analytical minds on what actually separates hunters who find bears consistently from those who don't. Josh Kirchner of Dialed In Hunter has built his reputation on process-driven Western hunting — and spring bear hunting is where that process is most exposed. In this episode, we go deep on bear behavior, terrain interpretation, and the mental adjustments most hunters never make. Josh has been called a "landscape interpreter" — and this conversation will change how you see the mountain. About Josh Kirchner: Josh is the founder of Dialed In Hunter and one of the most recognized voices in Western hunting. He specializes in spot-and-stalk black bear hunting in Arizona and across the West. Josh's Links: Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@DialedinHunter Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dialedinhunter Josh's Books - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8K32BFH?binding=paperback&qid=1778284272&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk Josh's Website - https://dialedinhunter.com/ | 56m 24s | ||||||
| 5/9/26 | ![]() WINNING ELK HUNTING STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC LAND ELK HUNTERS | 🎙️ EP. 174 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down a complete, repeatable elk hunting system built specifically for public land hunters who are tired of inconsistent results. If you’ve ever felt like you’re bouncing from drainage to drainage, finding elk one day and losing them the next, this episode explains why—and more importantly, how to fix it. Matt walks through a simple but powerful five-step cycle that can be applied every single day in the field: locate, evaluate, position, execute, and adjust. This isn’t a one-time tactic or a situational trick. It’s a structured system designed to keep you in elk consistently instead of constantly trying to relocate them. Throughout the episode, he explains how pressure, terrain, wind, and timing all influence elk behavior on public land, and how most hunters fail not from lack of effort, but from lack of structure. You’ll learn why finding sign isn’t enough, how to determine if a situation is actually winnable before making a move, how to position yourself ahead of elk movement instead of reacting to it, and why execution breaks down in the final moments of most encounters. Just as importantly, Matt emphasizes the adjustment phase—how to learn quickly from every outcome so you can improve in real time and stay connected to elk throughout your hunt. This episode is built for Western public land elk hunters who want to eliminate guesswork, build consistency, and hunt with intention. Whether you’re scouting, e-scouting, or already in the middle of a season, this cycle gives you a clear framework to follow so every decision you make has purpose. Elk hunting doesn’t reward effort alone. It rewards structure. And this episode gives you the system to make that happen. | 13m 55s | ||||||
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| 5/7/26 | ![]() HOW TO FIND ELK IN 4 EASY STEPS - ELK HUNTING STRATEGY | 🎙️ EP. 173 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down how to find elk using a simple, repeatable 4-step system that works across Western public land. Instead of relying on luck, random movement, or chasing fresh sign, Matt explains how to approach elk hunting with structure and clear decision-making. He walks through the core foundation of consistently finding elk, starting with choosing the right ground based on what elk actually need to survive—security, food, and wind advantage. From there, he explains how elk move through their daily patterns of feeding, transitioning, and bedding, and why most hunters stay one step behind by hunting where elk were instead of where they are going. Matt then dives into positioning—how wind and terrain work together, how elk use those features to their advantage, and how you can set up in a way that forces opportunity instead of hoping for it. Finally, he ties everything together with a system for eliminating guesswork, including his proven 5-minute basin evaluation that helps you quickly determine whether an area is worth your time. This episode is built for hunters who are tired of inconsistent seasons and want a clear, practical framework they can apply immediately—whether they’re e-scouting from home or hunting deep in elk country. | 11m 53s | ||||||
| 5/6/26 | ![]() IF YOU HAVE KILLED ZERO ELK, DO THIS FIRST | 🎙️ EP. 172 | In this episode Matt Hartsky speaks directly to the hunter who has put in the time, covered the miles, and done everything they thought was right—but still hasn’t killed an elk. This isn’t about motivation or effort. It’s about understanding why hard work alone isn’t translating into results, and what’s actually missing beneath the surface. After more than 34 years of hunting and guiding Western big game, Matt breaks down a pattern he’s seen over and over again. Most hunters aren’t failing because they lack skill or toughness. They’re failing because they’re building their hunts on the wrong foundation. They chase tactics, bounce between strategies, and react to what’s happening in the moment without ever developing a clear structure behind their decisions. This episode takes a step back from the noise and focuses on something far more important—how elk actually live, move, and survive in pressured environments. You’ll start to see why so much “good-looking” country feels empty, why being close to elk doesn’t always lead to opportunities, and how small misalignments in positioning and decision-making quietly end hunts before they ever begin. Matt also breaks down why most hunters lose opportunities right when things start to come together, how pressure changes elk behavior more than most people realize, and why staying in the wrong area too long can cost you an entire season. More importantly, he explains what separates hunters who struggle year after year from those who consistently find success. This isn’t about quick fixes or shortcuts. It’s about seeing the bigger picture clearly—and understanding the shift that has to happen before everything else starts to fall into place. | 14m 05s | ||||||
| 4/17/26 | ![]() IF I STARTED ELK HUNTING TODAY, I'D DO THIS! | 🎙️ EP. 171 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down exactly how he would approach elk hunting if he had to start completely over today—with no past experience, no proven spots, and no habits to rely on. Instead of chasing tactics, gear, or quick fixes, Matt walks through a different approach built around understanding how elk actually live, move, and survive on the landscape. Most hunters spend years trying to piece together success by copying strategies, focusing on calling, or forcing encounters in areas that don’t truly support elk. But without a foundation, even the right tactics fall apart. Drawing from more than 34 years of Western hunting experience, Matt explains why elk behavior—not tactics—should be the starting point, and how focusing on location, wind, positioning, and decision-making can dramatically shorten the learning curve. This episode is about eliminating wasted time and building a system that actually works in real elk country. Matt shares how to identify areas that truly hold elk, how terrain and wind dictate every encounter, why finding elk matters more than forcing early success, and how to make better decisions by knowing when to move and when to stay committed. If you’ve ever felt like you’re putting in the effort but not seeing results, this episode will help you refocus on what actually matters and give you a clearer path forward. | 12m 39s | ||||||
| 4/16/26 | ![]() BLACK BEAR HUNTING - HOW TO GET CLOSE | 🎙️ EP. 170 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down how to improve your stalking success when hunting black bears, focusing on the phase where most opportunities are lost—closing the distance. Spotting a bear is only the beginning. What you do next determines whether that encounter turns into a clean shot or another blown opportunity. Most hunters don’t fail because they can’t find bears—they fail because they rush the stalk, misread behavior, or move at the wrong time. Drawing from more than 34 years of Western hunting experience, Matt walks through a structured approach to stalking black bears that emphasizes control, patience, and disciplined decision-making under pressure. He explains how to read a bear before you move, how to use terrain to your advantage as distance closes, and why slowing down at the right moment is often what separates success from failure. This episode also covers wind management during a stalk, how to avoid unnecessary exposure, and how to move in a way that matches the bear’s behavior instead of reacting to it. The goal is to build a repeatable system that keeps you composed when adrenaline hits and the situation feels rushed. If you want to become more consistent on spot-and-stalk black bears, this episode will help you clean up the mistakes that quietly ruin most stalks and give you a more controlled, effective approach in the field. | 13m 43s | ||||||
| 4/15/26 | ![]() ELK HUNTING - MOST ELK HUNTERS QUIT RIGHT BEFORE IT HAPPENS | 🎙️ EP. 169 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down a moment every elk hunter eventually faces—but almost no one recognizes when it’s happening. The hunt hasn’t fallen apart. The country isn’t empty. And yet something starts to shift. After more than 34 years of hunting and guiding Western big game, Matt explains why elk hunting often feels like it’s not working… right before it does. He walks through what’s actually happening during those quiet stretches when there are no bugles, no sightings, and no clear confirmation that you’re in the right place. Most hunters misread that silence, and the decisions they make in that moment quietly end their season. This episode focuses on how pressure, expectations, and time begin to influence your behavior in the field. Matt explains why effort alone isn’t enough, how subtle mindset shifts can completely change outcomes, and why many hunters walk away from opportunities they were much closer to than they realized. If you’ve ever felt like you were doing everything right but nothing was happening, this episode will give you a different way to interpret those moments—and help you stay in the hunt when it matters most. | 10m 34s | ||||||
| 4/14/26 | ![]() THE EVENING ELK HUNTING PROBLEM (AND SOLUTION) | 🎙️ EP. 168 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most misunderstood and costly mistakes in elk hunting—misreading evening thermals and getting busted without ever knowing why. Most hunters assume evening wind becomes predictable, but in real mountain terrain it rarely behaves that cleanly. That gap between what you think the wind is doing and what it’s actually doing is where encounters fall apart. After more than 34 years of hunting Western elk, Matt explains how evening thermals truly transition, why airflow becomes unstable during that window, and how elk consistently use those conditions to their advantage. What feels like random wind shifts are often tied to terrain features, temperature changes, and timing that most hunters overlook. This episode focuses on helping you recognize when conditions are working against you before it costs you an opportunity. Matt walks through how small changes in wind direction can expose you, why certain setups fail late in the day, and how to adjust your movement and positioning when thermals become unpredictable. If you’ve ever had elk disappear, blow out, or vanish in the evening without warning, this episode will give you a clearer understanding of what’s actually happening—and how to stay in control when it matters most. | 11m 51s | ||||||
| 4/13/26 | ![]() THE ELK HUNTING SKILLS YOU NEED TO KILL BULLS IN TIMBER | 🎙️ EP. 167 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the fastest ways elk hunters ruin opportunities in timber without ever realizing it. Most hunters believe being quiet means moving slower and avoiding obvious noise, but the real problem isn’t loud mistakes—it’s predictable movement. Elk don’t need a snapped stick to know you’re there. They recognize rhythm, timing, and patterns that don’t belong, and once that happens, the encounter is already compromised. Drawing from more than 34 years of hunting Western elk, Matt explains how elk actually interpret sound in the timber and why so many hunters get busted even when they think they’re being careful. He walks through how movement, foot placement, terrain, and timing all work together, and why trying to be perfectly silent often makes you more noticeable instead of less. This episode focuses on shifting how you move through the woods. Instead of forcing silence, the goal becomes blending into the natural environment so your presence doesn’t stand out. Matt explains how to move with intention, how to use terrain and cover to your advantage, and how to avoid the subtle mistakes that consistently blow close-range opportunities. If you’ve ever felt like elk disappear before you even know they’re there, this episode will change how you approach movement in timber and help you stay undetected when it matters most. | 13m 47s | ||||||
| 4/12/26 | ![]() ARE YOU HUNTING IN A DEAD ZONE? STAY IN THE GAME! | 🎙️ EP. 166 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most frustrating situations elk hunters face—when you’re in good country, putting in the effort, and everything feels completely dead. No tracks, no droppings, no bugles… nothing. This is where most hunters start to lose confidence, second-guess their decisions, and abandon areas that may actually hold elk. After more than 34 years of hunting Western elk, Matt explains why a lack of visible sign doesn’t always mean a lack of elk. Often it comes down to timing, terrain use, wind, and hunting pressure—factors that can make elk nearly invisible even when they’re close. This episode focuses on helping you stay disciplined when the mountain gives you no feedback. Instead of reacting emotionally to what you don’t see, Matt walks through how to think ahead, trust structure over sign, and keep yourself positioned in areas where elk are most likely to appear. If you’ve ever felt like you were hunting a dead zone, this episode will challenge how you interpret those situations and help you stay in the hunt when most people mentally check out. Because elk hunting isn’t about constant confirmation—it’s about understanding what’s really happening when things go quiet. | 13m 56s | ||||||
| 4/11/26 | ![]() HUNTING ELK IN TIMBER? USE THIS WIND STRATEGY | 🎙️ EP. 165 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most frustrating problems elk hunters face—wind in the timber—and why what you think you know about wind might be costing you opportunities. Timber doesn’t behave like open country, and if you’ve ever been busted when everything “felt right,” there’s a reason for it. After more than 34 years of hunting Western elk, Matt explains how wind actually moves through thick cover, why it stalls, shifts, and swirls in ways most hunters don’t expect, and how elk use those inconsistencies to stay one step ahead. What feels unpredictable in the moment is often tied to terrain, thermals, and structure working together in ways that aren’t obvious unless you’ve learned to recognize them. This episode focuses on helping you understand what’s really happening when setups fall apart. Matt walks through how small misreads turn into blown encounters, why certain areas are more prone to unstable wind, and how to adjust your positioning and decision-making when conditions aren’t ideal. If you’ve ever questioned why elk vanish, why your setups fail, or why the wind seems impossible to trust in timber, this episode will change how you look at those situations—and help you stay in control when it matters most. | 14m 06s | ||||||
| 4/10/26 | ![]() WHAT IF THE 2026 ELK HUNTING SEASON IS HOT? MOST HUNTERS WON'T BE READY | 🎙️ EP. 164 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down a question most elk hunters don’t think about until they’re already in the middle of it—what happens when the entire season turns hot? When conditions shift, the mountains can feel empty. Sign dries up, movement slows down, and areas that normally produce suddenly go quiet. Most hunters respond by covering more ground, second-guessing their plan, and burning valuable time trying to figure out what changed. Drawing from more than 34 years of Western hunting experience, Matt explains why hot conditions create so much confusion and how quickly elk behavior can shift when temperature, moisture, and pressure start stacking together. He walks through how these changes affect movement, visibility, and where elk choose to spend their time throughout the day. This episode focuses on helping you recognize those changes early instead of reacting too late. Matt breaks down how experienced hunters adapt when conditions don’t match expectations, and why the ability to read subtle shifts in the mountain often matters more than effort. If you’ve ever felt like elk disappeared overnight or your plan fell apart as soon as conditions changed, this episode will give you a different way to approach those situations—and help you stay in elk when others fall out. | 12m 36s | ||||||
| 4/9/26 | ![]() MULE DEER HUNTERS ARE OVERLOOKING THE BEST HABITAT FOR BIG BUCKS | 🎙️ EP. 163 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked pieces of mule deer habitat that consistently holds deer across the West. Most hunters focus on big basins, deep timber, or obvious glassing points, but mature bucks aren’t scattered randomly across the landscape. They position themselves in specific areas that give them a constant advantage, and if you don’t understand that, you’ll keep walking past deer without ever realizing they were there. After more than three decades of hunting Western mule deer, Matt explains what this habitat actually is, why deer rely on it every single day, and how it influences where they feed, bed, and travel. This episode focuses on helping you move beyond “good-looking country” and start identifying terrain that naturally holds deer based on security, visibility, and movement efficiency. This isn’t theory. It’s a practical way to evaluate the mountain so you can stop guessing and start narrowing down where deer are most likely to be. Once you begin recognizing these patterns, you’ll start to see how predictable mule deer can become—even in big, open country. If you’ve ever felt like you’re hunting hard but still not finding deer, this episode will help you rethink habitat and make better decisions about where you spend your time. | 12m 25s | ||||||
| 4/8/26 | ![]() ELK HUNTERS MUST UNDERSTAND THIS DAILY PATTERN TO FIND MORE BULLS | 🎙️ EP. 162 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down the daily pattern that quietly controls where bulls spend the majority of their daylight hours—and why so many elk hunters keep coming up empty. It’s not complicated, but it’s one of the most misunderstood pieces of elk behavior because most hunters never fully connect what they’re seeing on the mountain with how elk actually use it. If you’ve ever hiked into what looks like perfect elk country only to find nothing—or worse, blow elk out before you even realize they’re there—this is the missing link. Bulls aren’t disappearing and they’re not randomly relocating miles away. They’re following a consistent, repeatable daily pattern that keeps them secure, hidden, and incredibly difficult to detect for hunters who don’t recognize it. Drawing from more than 34 years of Western hunting experience, Matt explains how this pattern develops, how it shows up in real terrain, and why so many hunters unknowingly move through elk without ever seeing them. This episode is about shifting how you read the mountain. Once you understand where elk are spending their daylight hours and why, your entire approach to locating and positioning begins to change. If you’ve been struggling to find elk during the middle of the day, this episode will give you a different way to look at elk country and start making better decisions in the field. | 13m 16s | ||||||
| 4/7/26 | ![]() THE NUMBER 1 REASON SOME ELK HUNTERS KILL BULLS EVERY YEAR | 🎙️ EP. 161 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most overlooked truths in elk hunting—why some hunters consistently get into elk year after year while others struggle no matter how hard they work. After more than three decades of hunting Western elk, Matt shares a perspective that has nothing to do with better gear, perfect calling sequences, or simply going deeper than everyone else. Most hunters spend their time chasing tactics, hoping the next tip will finally change their season. But elk hunting doesn’t reward random effort. It rewards awareness, discipline, and the ability to adapt in real time. That’s where most hunters fall apart, and it’s exactly where consistent elk hunters separate themselves. This episode focuses on the habit that changes everything. Not as a concept, but how it actually shows up on the mountain day after day. From blown opportunities and shifting wind to pressured elk and quiet mornings, Matt explains how experienced hunters process what’s happening around them and turn it into better decisions instead of frustration. If elk hunting has ever felt inconsistent, unpredictable, or like you’re missing something, this episode will help you understand why—and give you a clearer way to approach every situation you face in the field. | 14m 49s | ||||||
| 4/6/26 | ![]() KILL MORE ELK WITH THIS MORNING PATTERN MOST HUNTERS MISS | 🎙️ EP. 160 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down a morning pattern that quietly determines whether elk encounters turn into real opportunities—or fall apart before they ever begin. It’s something most hunters experience without fully recognizing, and it often shows up right when a situation starts to come together. Many hunters focus on calling, movement, and location, yet still end up getting winded without understanding why. What feels random in the moment is usually tied to a consistent pattern playing out in the background. Once you start to see it, you begin to understand why certain setups repeatedly fail while others come together with much less effort. Drawing from more than 34 years of Western hunting experience, Matt explains how this pattern develops in real mountain terrain, how elk use it to their advantage, and how small mistakes in timing and positioning can completely change the outcome of an encounter. This episode is not about a shortcut or a trick. It’s about understanding what’s actually happening around you so you can make better decisions in the moment and stop unknowingly working against the conditions. If you’ve ever felt like you did everything right and still got busted, this episode will give you a different way to approach your mornings in elk country. | 17m 32s | ||||||
| 4/5/26 | ![]() HOW FAR DO ELK TRAVEL IN 24 HOURS - MOST HUNTERS GET THIS WRONG | 🎙️ EP. 159 | In this episode Matt Hartsky breaks down one of the most common questions in elk hunting—how far elk actually travel in a 24-hour period—and why most hunters get this wrong. Many assume elk are constantly covering miles of country, and that belief leads to poor positioning, unnecessary movement, and missed opportunities on public land. Drawing from more than 34 years of Western hunting experience, Matt explains why elk movement is far more controlled and predictable than most people think. He walks through how terrain, bedding security, feeding areas, wind, and hunting pressure all shape how far elk travel and when they choose to move. This episode focuses on helping you stay with elk instead of constantly chasing them. Matt explains why elk often feel like they disappear when they haven’t actually gone far, how pressure compresses movement, and how understanding daily patterns can help you make better decisions in the field. If you’ve ever felt like you’re always one step behind elk or covering ground without results, this episode will give you a clearer way to understand movement and start positioning yourself where elk are most likely to be. | 19m 29s | ||||||
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Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.
