STILL RELYING ON LUCK? HOW SUCCESSFUL WESTERN HUNTERS CONTROL AND EXECUTE THEIR HUNTS | 🎙️ EP. 118

In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, Matt Hartsky sits down with Cody Calkins, a New Mexico firefighter and dedicated Western hunter, to break down a full, real-world Western big game hunting season—from planning to execution. This conversation goes far beyond hunt recaps and dives into the mindset, discipline, and preparation required to stop relying on luck and start hunting with control. Cody walks through his season chronologically, covering multiple hunts across Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico, including elk hunting, mule deer hunting, and bear hunting. Together, Matt and Cody unpack what it actually takes to succeed on Western public land and private land alike—handling pressure, passing legal animals, adapting to conditions, and executing when it matters most. This episode focuses heavily on Backbone Unlimited core themes: hunt planning, preparation, decision-making under pressure, patience, and developing standards as a hunter. Cody shares what changed for him when he stopped hoping things would work out and started treating hunting as a process—learning how terrain, weather, pressure, and timing all influence success. They also discuss helping others succeed, mentoring new hunters, and how leadership and restraint often matter more than aggression in the mountains. If you’re interested in Western big game hunting, elk hunting mindset, mule deer strategy, public land hunting pressure, or learning how to plan and execute hunts more effectively, this episode delivers honest, experience-based insight. Cody’s season is a powerful example of how preparation, discipline, and intentional decision-making create consistent success—long before opening day. This is a grounded, no-fluff conversation for hunters who want to improve their process, hunt with confidence, and earn every outcome in the field. TRAIN HARDER. HUNT SMARTER. NEVER SETTLE. – MATT HARTSKY   Contact Cody Calkins: [email protected]