3 of us eastern deer hunters tried it out in SE Colorado 6 years ago. None of us had ever seen an elk much less hunted them. We wanted to do DIY rifle and stayed in a motel and drove each day to an area we could hunt. We learned a lot about elk hunting and as luck would have it we stumbled upon a nice herd of cows and a few bulls. We got 2 cows and a 5X5. It was rewarding to have all our research pan out and packing those animals out with pack frames was hard work but added to the experience. Since that time one of my hunting partners bought a cabin out there and so now we have a comfortable place to stay nearer to the area we hunt. It has been 6 years and we have hunted out there every year with great success. We are all very skilled at eastern deer hunting with spot and stalk as well as still hunting methods. Hunting elk is about the same way only you are allowed less mistakes and the altitude and rugged terrain works against you. Getting into great shape is really important and if you are a good hunter the rest will fall into place. Unlike deer hunting though....elk can be there one day and gone the next. If you see sign keep at it until you find them. If not move to another area. Scent control is very difficult due to ever changing thermals out west. I find staying down wind more important in elk hunting than deer. The deer will run off to the next ridge, swamp or woodline. The elk will go miles and might not come back.