well, i fyou are hunting private property, the game is different...but if that landowner allows other hunters on the property...you can bank onthose elk not being there during the hunt, unless it is a MASSIVE property...

Elk tend to get smart VERY quickly once the first shot is fired...I am glad you are choosing to leave your bow at home...Elk are not as easy as picking one out...

we generally spend 2-3 dys just locating them....then 1-4 days getting close to them...and this is all in remote back country stuff...

Would suggest spending a LOT of time on google earth researching what look like natural exit corridors, and paths...locate water, food is everywhere for elk, so that is not your normal thing to look for...