There are some great pointers above in the links...as a born and bread montana elk hunter...three things I can never stress enough to people when they choose to come out here...

[ul][*]Feet are your foundation-buy the best boots you can (not the most expensive, best, most supportive)[*]Sleep is your Source of energy- buy the best sleeping bag/ and pad you can (if small guy, get little over sized one, for room, and comfort)[*]Lungs are your Sustenance-no matter how much you prepare for elevation, it wont be enough...your lungs and cardiovascular fitness is the single most critical factor. [/ul]
As to the trip, in advance plan what you want, be honest with yourself, do you want the experience? do you want the hunt? do you want to kill an elk? which priority are are each of these? this will help you to level set... If success to you equals only the kill, then you had better work out three timesharder than you had planned, as that bull might be heading up a mountain, and your only hope is to out flank him at the top of the mountain, and well, your lungs will be the critical factor...


What camo, what bow, what arrows, etc. etc. etc. are all niceties, but rarely have an impact...

make sure you have a GPS, make sure you ahve a map, and make sure others know where you will be specifically/exactly...

outside of that...have a great time...this can be the result (shto by a flatlander from WI) nice bull nothing monsterous...but was two years in a row for this guy