I used to live in Box Elder (please don't hold that against me) when I was stationed at Ellsworth years ago. I always saw a lot of elk, not so much around Silver City (although I did see a few in Jenny Gulch), but off of Experimental Forest Rd, all the way through into Rochford. Last time I hunted there I had a cow tag, and saw half a dozen bulls and probably that many cows in one morning. Me and my buddy both tagged out within a day of each other. I didn't know it was "resident only" though. When I hunted up there, I was a resident...It's a shame, it would be a good spot for a DIY hunt. If nothing else, the whitetail hunting is the best I've ever seen there, although I know of an even better honey hole for whitetails not too far from there too.

BigWilly,
It's public land up there, I don't even know if there are any outfitters in that area. It's a fairly easy area to navigate too. The public land is usually clearly marked. And if one were to get turned around, there are many, many game wardens around to keep everything in check.