younggun243: Shatodavis is right. You need to have a more definite plan. I'm guessing that is what you are asking for in your post, some help from people to refine your plans. I'll assume this is your request.

You need to identify your objective. If you want a trophy elk, DIY is not the best plan. I can't provide much information on trophy elk hunting, so if this is your objective you'll need to speak to others for advice on that subject. It is expensive. If you just want an elk -- cow or bull -- life becomes easier but not a sure deal.

In early season elk are up high, often on public land; in late season, after heavy snows have arrived in the mountains, elk are low, often on private land. Hunting elk on private land is generally very expensive. You will probably need to put in for a permit to hunt a specific elk unit, in whatever state you choose to hunt, and you should select that unit/season with an informed understanding of where the elk are going to be at any given time of year, to the extent this can be predicted (this is based on weather and that is somewhat unpredictable to say the least). Figure out what state you want to hunt, basing your decision on both likelyhood of drawing, success ratio of hunters, and where the elk will be at during the specific hunting season time periods. Note that Colorado has a very good "Big Game CD" which provides a lot of supporting information that can help identify the best hunting unit for your needs.

For DIY hunt you will need appropriate clothing. Good boots well broken in. Breathable clothes that support layering so you can put on additional layers to get warm when the weather gets cold or you begin to cool down from a strenous hike and so you can take off layers as you heat up from hiking or the weather is warm. You need an outer layer that will keep you dry in rain and/or snow. A head covering to keep your head warm is needed. Gloves are needed. Wool is good because it is warm while wet and dries relatively quickly; cotton is bad. Underwear made of moisture wicking material such as polypropylene is recommended. If you do not have any of this stuff it can be expensive to buy. Don't skimp on boots or you will pay the price in sore feet that let you down when you most need them to work for you.

Get a GPS for every hunter. It doesn't have to be the most expensive one in the catalog. The Etrex is cheap -- about $120 -- and does a lot. Learn how to use it before you go afield. Carry extra batteries. If you know how to use one of these, you will feel much more confident going into the woods off the roads, and this is key to expectation of success.

Get a headlamp to cope with your dead elk after dark while keeping your hands free.

Carry a couple of good, sharp knives.

Plan to use a .30-06 shooting 180 grain bullets and heavier on elk. There seems to be a concensus that this is the lower limit of elk worthy cartridge. There is likely to be all sorts of disputes over my statement, but this is my advice.