I am overwhelmed by the amount of advice you guys have shared with me through this post, I cannot thank you guys enough for the time you took to help me and my buddy out.

I did a little research and found out that they draw 1000 applicants to the the 80/81 units during the first rifle season, but on average only ~480 hunters actually hunt. The success rate has been ~20% the past 3 years.

I know a guy that was kind enough to show me where to start and have a good oppurtunity to find elk. It will be about 3-4 miles from the nearest public campsite and will be about 11,500-12,000'. That was about all the information he shared, just a starting point. I am not complaining one bit, that is just the reason for my question on here.

A little bit about my buddy and myself. I will try to say this with humility, I am really not trying to boast, just trying to give you guys a little information about us: We are die hard hunters and have grown up in and around the woods our entire life. I would say we have a little savvy in the woods. We are both in good shape and do not shy away from hard work. He is about 6' 1'' 225 and is stout as an ox, and I am 5 11'' 215 and can hold my own but need to lose about 10 lbs before the trip. Although I know we are in good shape, we both are aware of the difficult task we have in front of us and are going to be in tip top shape prior to the trip. We both grew playing sports and that is what helped pay part of my college. Saying all that, I know it will still be a humbling experience when the time arrives and we go hiking. We have both snow skiied several times in the Rocky's, so we have a fair understanding of the altitude affects.

I know this comparison is not the greatest, but we have a lot of experience camping and packing out game in the mountains (hills) in Southeastern Oklahoma. My buddy was telling me about a time he packed out three whitetails with his brother a mile and a half from camp in one day. I know the mountians aren't as steep/big and weather not as cold, but it gives us a starting point.

I have heard that Gortex Gators are a good investment to keep your legs dry, what is your experience with these? Good or bad idea?

My wife and I are expecting our second child at the end of this moth, so my summer will be a little busy, but we are going to try and find a free long weekend to check out our hunting area this summer. I know this will be beneficial, I hope we will be able to get it done.

Once again, thanks for all the advice and knowledge, I really do appreciate it. Feel free to keep it coming if you guys have anything else to share. Come the end of October I will have pictures and stories to share, successful or not. This has been a life long dream of mine and it is finally coming true.

Thanks again,
Trent