NEVER CALL BACK TO A BUGLING BULL - UNTIL YOU'VE DONE THIS | EP. 236

When a bull elk bugles, your first move usually shouldn’t be calling back. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky breaks down the exact elk calling decision tree he uses to turn a bugling bull into a close-range encounter: read the bull, stay silent, close the distance, get inside the 80–120 yard bubble, assess whether he has cows, and only then decide what call to make. Learn when to use cow calls on a solo bull, when to bugle or rake at a herd bull, how to handle a bull that goes quiet, and why calling too early can stop an encounter before it starts. If you want to become a better elk caller and consistently close distance on bugling bulls, start with the sequence—not the call. Ready to build a better elk hunting plan? Explore the complete Elk Hunting E-book Series, join TEAM Backbone for ongoing guidance and accountability, book a personalized Elk Hunt Plan Audit, or prepare physically with Backbone Unlimited Training and Nutrition Plans. Visit BackboneUnlimited.com to get started. Train harder. Hunt smarter. Never settle.