I don't know what your camping arrangements are going to be. I have backpack hunted once and didn't like it much. Since that one time I have twice hunted out of a canvas wall tent with a wood stove for heat that was MUCH MUCH better. Many thanks to my hunting partner who invites me to share his tent with him.

I think you ought to go elk hunting no matter what. But if you are backpacking, try to think about providing some comforts for yourself. If it is possible to SAFELY heat your backpacking tent, look very seriously into that. It may be worth your while to light a serious wood fire every night. After being in the cold all day long, you want some warmth, and I'm not kidding about that. It is not like backpacking in balmy August in the mountains. Take the trouble to set up some logs you can sit on comfortably, maybe be able to lean you back against it.

The post that recommended scouting your area this summer or gonig out early is good advice. Basically you are going to have to scout during hunting season if you don't scout in advance. Better to scout in advance. Also, if you have never been to the mountains, going out to the mountains and doing some aggressive hiking in mid-July may be an educational experience that motivates you all the more to lose weight and get serious about exercising.