One thing you have to keep in mind is that you were only there for 9 days. Elk are my nemesis in the sense that I have been after them 6 or 7 times and I have only killed one. The last time I went to CO I had 13 legal bulls within range throughout the week and I never was able to loose one arrow. It certainly is not easy. The overall success rate with a bow in CO for elk is right around 12%-13% every year. There are so many things that make it tough. Think about what you are trying to do...sneak up on a herd of elk. That is no small feat.

Plus, if it was easy, would it really be enjoyable?