buffalo and elk are two totally different hunts. As has been mentioned, an antelope hunt in WY. makes for a great first western hunt with great success rates at a reasonable price.
If you can afford it, going with an outfitter might be the best way to go for a first elk hunt. Once you get an idea of how to do it and what it takes, then doing it on your own won't seem so over whelming.
As far as I'm concerned, buffalo and elk hunting don't even belong in the same sentence because elk hunting is king and once you get around a bugling bull or two, you'll see why.