This Elk Tactic Changed Everything for Me

Welcome to Backbone Unlimited. My name is Matt Hartsky, and today I’m sharing the one elk hunting tactic that changed everything for me.

I’m talking about a very specific play that started converting encounters into kills more consistently than anything I’d tried before. It’s not about luck. It’s about patterning elk based on their natural movement and setting up before they even know you’re there.

The Power of Nighttime Feeding Transitions

Let’s be honest—most hunters miss their shot before the sun even comes up. Here’s how it usually goes: You hike in just after first light. You bugle from a ridgetop. You hear bulls—but they’re already moving into their bedding zones. By the time you close the gap, it’s too late.

That used to be me. I chased so many bulls from behind, and they just kept moving away. I couldn’t catch up. But then I noticed a pattern that flipped everything.

They feed all night in open areas—often lower elevation or wide benches with some cover. Then, right around sunrise, they start traveling to cooler, north-facing timber to bed down.

The key? That transition zone between the feeding and bedding areas. That’s where the kill can happen.

The Sweet Spot

For me, the sweet spot is those south-facing, thinly timbered slopes getting the first light of day. They're sandwiched between open nighttime feeding areas and dark, north-facing bedding timber.

Thermals are typically dropping before sunrise, pulling your scent downhill—while elk are headed uphill. If you sneak into that transition zone in the dark, you’re placing yourself right in the middle of their natural funnel. They’re moving through and don’t expect you to be there.

This is where the tactic really started changing the game.

My Setup

I started hiking in well before sunrise. No headlamp when I got close. No talking. No gear clinking. Just soft, slow movement with the wind in my face.

Setup Checklist:

• Get within 200 yards of the lower edge of your bedding timber.

• Make sure thermals are still pulling downhill.

• Tuck in just below a known elk trail or travel path.

• Use trail cameras to confirm elk movement if needed.

• Be set up and still by first legal shooting light.

You're not chasing elk—you're already in their path. That’s the difference.

Once I’m set up, I wait a few minutes after light and run a light calling sequence:

• One single cow call.

• Wait.

• Maybe a soft, non-aggressive bugle.

• Then go silent for 5 to 10 minutes.

Why does this work?

Because bulls are moving from feed to bed. They respond out of curiosity—or because they’re already looking for cows heading to bedding.

Sometimes you’ll catch a bull passing through and he’ll veer your direction. It’s not about aggressive calling. It’s about being in the right place and sounding like part of the natural environment. Let the elk make the mistake.

I’ve killed multiple bulls using this exact tactic—especially early in the season when they’re vocal but not fired up. Some come in silent. Some answer softly. And sometimes, the whole herd just walks right up the trail.

Real Example

A few years ago, my son Sax and I slipped into one of these zones before light. Just as the sun was cresting, I let out a soft cow call. Ten minutes later, he bugled lightly—just part of our plan.

Five minutes after that, I had a satellite six-point bull standing 30 yards away trying to locate me. One shot. Clean pack out. It wasn’t about fancy gear or perfect calling—it was all timing and setup.

Make It Work for You

This tactic works if—and only if—you get these things right:

1. Know the Terrain
   E-scout and confirm where elk are feeding at night and bedding during the day.

2. Identify the Transition Zone
   That thin slope between feed and bed is your gold mine.

3. Get There Early
   Beat the elk to the spot. Don’t arrive at the same time—they’ll bust you.

4. Use the Wind
   One whiff and it’s over. Check your wind constantly. Thermals may be dropping, but check actual wind direction all the way in—and again once set up.

5. Set Up Smart
   Don’t hide behind thick brush. Sit in front of cover to break up your outline and make it easier to draw without being seen.

Final Thoughts

I hope you take this one to heart. This was the first tactic that gave me real confidence in killing elk every year. When I figured out how they moved from feed to bed, and found those transition funnels—I stopped chasing bugles at daylight and started intercepting bulls on their terms.

If you got value from this, share it with a hunting buddy. Drop a comment and let me know if you’ve tried this or plan to this season.

And if you want more advanced tactics, real-world lessons, and gear built for serious hunters, head over to TEAM BACKBONE. Join the TEAM BACKBONE membership—we’d love to have you in the tribe.