When the bugles stop and the snow starts to fall, most hunters hang it up—but the best elk hunters know that late season success comes down to one skill: glassing smarter. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down everything he’s learned from more than 30 years of chasing bulls through the western mountains during the toughest part of the season. This is a masterclass in late season elk hunting tactics—from understanding how post-rut bulls use terrain and cover, to learning where to glass when the mountains go quiet. You’ll hear how elk behavior changes after the rut, why bulls drop into different elevations, and how pressure, snow, and feed availability drive every move they make. Matt shares the exact process he uses to pick late season glassing locations, how to grid and dissect terrain efficiently, and how to spot hidden bulls by reading contrast, color, and subtle movement in the timber. You’ll also learn how to interpret elk behavior from afar—how to read posture, feeding and bedding habits, and travel direction before making your move. This episode goes deep on the mental side of late season hunting: how to stay sharp behind the glass, manage fatigue, and keep your focus when the weather’s brutal and the country looks empty. If you’re serious about finding more elk when everyone else thinks the season is over, this episode will show you how to turn your optics into your biggest weapon and outlast the mountain with discipline, patience, and skill.