Hot weather can turn September elk hunts upside down. Instead of crisp mornings and fired-up bugles, you’re left with sluggish elk hiding in shade and moving only in short windows. But here’s the truth — warm weather doesn’t make elk unhuntable. It just means you need to adjust your tactics. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I break down how elk behave when the mountains heat up and how you can adapt to stay in the game. We’ll cover why water sources become magnets, how shade shifts bedding patterns, when to key in on midday movement, and why thermals are even trickier when the sun is blazing. I’ll also share how to pace yourself, stay hydrated, and keep your mental edge so you don’t check out when the hunt gets tough. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where the elk went when temps spike, this episode will give you the blueprint to find them, stay patient, and capitalize when the short windows of opportunity finally open.