Bugs,

You will definetly want an outfitter lined up to pack out the animal. It usually runs from $200-250 to pack one out. As an outfitter myself I would say the DIY hunts are almost as successful as a drop camp after the 2nd or 3rd time you hunt an area. But never on the first hunt. Any outfitter worth their salt will tell you how the elk use the territory when you arrive to your camp site. There are a ton of horror stories on outfitting but I think some are because of hunters are expecting a hunting video type hunt each day they are in the field. On the other hand there are some outfitters that don't do what they say they will do or hire crap for help. This is what I would do if I were you. I would ask for two references atleast. Then I would contact the local forest service office where the outfitter is issued his permits through. If the forest service has no bad reports on the outfitter you may do well with them. Good luck on that.

You can also get nailed hunting private land if it is not big enough of an area, elk are creatures of mobility. They may or may not be there depending on how many hunters have came before you.

The red area's on the map are chronic waste disease area's. You would know if you had and elk in the later stages of the disease, they look very ragged and sick. No fear you can have it tested by the DOW to make sure. I glad all them area's are up north east for now.