First, you need to be more concerned about killing one. Being a first timer and going DIY, and a deer hunter. Read as much as you can and watch as many videos as you can as this question really doesnt matter if you dont kill one first.Highly recommend though getting a good back pack, knives, and saw for the event you do kill one. If your back in elk country away from the roads, no way the elk is coming out in 1 piece.