Thanks Phil. If you just want to get an elk to get you started I'd recommend putting in for some cow tags. Just find the one with good odds or lots of tags, hopefully in an area you know or can scout, and chances are you can get drawn in a year or two. Of course, some of those cow hunts can be harder than hunting the general season so it's no gimme. You'll still have to hunt hard to get a cow unless you have some private land or a friend with a secret spot.

Good luck and let us know how you do. Happy to answer any other questions if I can.