The basics would include finding a spot without roads, and with water and cover. Also, looking for travel corridors (ie. saddles as Beaver said) is a good place to start. It should have good cover, but interdispersed open meadows for feed. Topos should give a lot of this info, although springs and wallows have to be found in person. The best way I have scouted this way is to identify some possible areas on Topo maps and then calling the Division of Wildlife officer for that area and asking " specific" questions about this drainage or that saddle. You also need to know the kind of trees in the area. I like to hunt where evergreens meet aspen forests, but a lot of elk are in oakbrush, especially in later seasons if snow comes.