rwj got it right and I know I couldn't have said it better. I have hunted within 12 miles of where you will be hunting since 1992 and have failed to get my Bull only one year. That year was before the present 4 season format, when the third season was approx. 10 days earlier than the fourth season is now and it was extremely hot and dry and the Elk never came down while we were there. We hunt on our own, paying a trespass fee for access and hunt mostly BLM land. Please fellows don't ask me where, the landowner has all the hunters he can handle now and wants no more. The best we have done is approx 320 Bulls, my son getting one of those. Most are the same raghorns that the outfitters are trying to get for the pay hunters. Be prepared for any weather, I have seen it 20 below and snow 18 inchs in three hours. Shoot something that sends a big bullet flat and practice enough to become instinctive in the use of your rifle. Good luck and good shooting.

dbuck: Any legal elk is a trophy..and if you get one it is no small thing. I personally shoot the first legal animal that I see that I think I can hit (elk, deer, moose, caribou). The biggest challange to any hunter in the field is holding steady on your target..in this case elk and deer. 300 yard shots are tough (and I hate them). Anyway, take a good rest (bipod/sticks) that you have a lot of practice with. And bring a bunch of bullets and keep them in your cartridge belt. I hope you shoot a big elk and a big mule deer. Be careful.