DIY. I'm very familiar with the mountains. Have hunted in my hunting spot twice now. Have additionally taken weeklong backpacking trips in the same general area, though spending a fair amount of time above tree line on the backpacking trip, while I was just about 500 foot below treeline on the elk hunts. I'm familiar with all the elements of elk hunting, because of backpacking and other big game hunting, but being new to elk hunting I'm wanting to learn more about the special skills needed in elk hunting. I share a camp with another guy who has been hunting elk probably for 20 years. Also, as I probably mentioned, I'm not into trophy hunting. I got a young bull on my last hunt in 2009, but I will be happy with a cow. I do all my meat care myself -- field dressing, skinning, cutting into manageable pieces -- quarters except I disconnect the shoulders, legs, backstrap, tenderloins, neck meat, rib meat and leave the rib cage bones and back bone. Further, I butcher and package my elk into meal sized packages and then cook it myself.