Tussey Hunter,
Without more information it' s kinda hard to give information, but I' ll try. In todays world, elk can be hunted from desert type sage country such as Arizona, in shirt sleves. The other extreme is, 11,000 ft, above the timber line in -30 degree weather. About the only common factors is to have company. Know your rifle and it' s trajectory. Practise with your rifle until you know its limits as well as your own. A small elk is bigger than the largest deer you' ll ever see, have the tools too care for the meat. A Wyoming saw is real handy, and so is parachute cord. There are many thing we can rough it on, sleep is not one of them. The best sleeping bag you can find is a must. Waterproof boots are also a must.

Contact a game department and have them send you all the information the have on elk, including anatomy. Visit your library for all the information they may have. When you have made more positive plans, come back, there are a lot of people here who can help.