RE: DIY Mule and/or Elk out West
You have done your homework. I like Idaho for there over-the-counter elk & deer tags. Wyoming is tough to understand until you really dig into there regs.
Montana IMHO is kind of over rated. Montana does havethere rifle season during the deer rut, that is a big plus. Montana also has a "Back Country" early rifle season for elk & deer. The season opens September-15th. This is a big plus, if you have the cash for a outfitter? You can hunt bull elk during the peak of the rut.
Good luck hunting,
WK