Bigwilly, you still have to worry about the drawings in some states. An outfitter will make it easier but not guaranteed. In Wyoming for example you still need a bonus point first. Most outfitters will advise you to get a bonus point, then the next season you will submitt your money for the draw using the outfitter #, this works most of the time if you have a bonus point but not always, there are some cases every year where people still dont get drawn. It depends on the area you hunt. The big thing is to know where and when you want to hunt. Then pick an outfitter, the outfitter will tell you what you need to do exactly for the area he hunts. But if you have never elk hunted before i do advise you to use an outfitter the first time, you dont have too, but its a good idea.