KA-POW, I do not know what unit you are hunting? I will just tell you how things are where I hunt.
I hunt southwest of Dillionin unit-332. The elk population in unit-332 looks good.The drainage I hunt, still hastons of feed left for the elk. I archery hunted elk in ths drainage with no luck, but many close encounters. Should be a good rifle season for me? I drew a either sex elk permit in this unit.

Good Luck,

Wolf Killer