RE: Topo Maps
Do yourself a favor.
Order a Hubbard Scientific raised relief map of the region you are going to be hunting. They cost appx. $15.
I recommend this for any hunters going on an hunt in unfamiliar country.
They are raised 3D relief maps and they are like looking at the region from a plane. Awesome scouting tool and for getting the lay of the land, you can actually see what it looks like. I like to find spots on the map that look like likely spots and then go to the map atlas and look for access points. If the area has to much access, I keep looking.
Then take your topo and look for those small flat spots with creeks on the N or NE slope where elk love to hang out.
Most basic lesson on topos is lines close together means steep. The farther the lines are apart the flatter the country.
IMO Abe and Sons calls are as good as you are going to find. Very natural sound and easy to use.