I'll take a shot at it.

#1) Get in shape! There is a world of difference between hunting turkeys and elk.

#2) Get used to carrying a load. Packing an elk is hard work.

#3) Hump the hills. Walking in hills and mountains is different than walking in flat land. I've spent a lot of time in AL and there isn't a decent mountain in the state but there are some hills.

#4) Decide what you want to hunt. Are you happy with any bull or are you only after a monster? Some places have lots of elk and some places have fewer but bigger trophies. Frankly if I was on my first elk hunt I'd go for a cow and not a bull anyways.

#5) Pick a specific area ahead of time and learn as much as you can. Contact Game Depts, get topo maps, use google earth etc... the more info ahead of time the better.

#6) Decide how you plan to hunt. Bow, rifle, blackpowder? Do you intend to camp out? Backpack? Go with an outfitter? Go with friends? Do you want to use horses? Have a plan.

#7) Learn to hit your shot at 300 yards. The time to find out that neither you nor your weapon is up to the task is now and not after you wounded an elk.

#8) Learn to care for the meat. Elk are a lot bigger than deer or turkeys and the carcass must be properly cared for. Waste of game meat is frowned on everywhere back west.

#9) LEAVE THE TAPE MEASURE AT HOME!!!! Any elk taken cleanly and under fair chase is an animal to be proud of. Don't get wrapped up in inches of antler.

#10) Enjoy the hunt even if you don't get an elk. Not everybody fills their tag every year. Anybody that says they do is a liar. The experience of an elk hunt can't be beat. Taking one is a bonus.