RE: Where to Hunt Elk?
I chose to do my hunt in BC for all the reasons you mentioned. They've got a 6-point rule, so if you score, it's likely to be a nice animal.
I got hooked up with an outfitter that not only had a top notch setup, but a true love of his particular territory, and the game, and the sport.
When I got skunked last Fall in my 1st outing with them, I knew I'd be back. And when I scored a really good bull this Fall, I knew that I'd earned that critter. I took him on foot, & we went back with packhorses to the the quarters.
I'd be glad to pass on more if you're interested: PM me.
FC