RE: Wanting to hunt Elk
I think you need to define what a bundle of money is to you. For $5k you could probably come close to what you are looking for as long as you are after just a decent bull and not a record book bull.
Elk are not small animals, if you aren't in shape you could have a heart attack just quartering one up and getting it loaded in the pickup if you shot it 100 yards from the road.
Colorado and Idaho are the only states I know of that have over the counter Elk tags. Some of the other states have guaranteed tags if you apply through an outfitter but the deadlines for that are fast approaching for 2008. Wyomings deadline for non-residents is January 31st and Montana's is March 15th.
Good Luck.