I know it is not glamorous, but I would suggest a cow hunt the first year. Cheaper ($250) and you will get your feet wet with a decent chance of actually harvesting an elk. Your odds of success would be better too. And the meat is great! Find an area with lots of left over cow tags, which will give you an idea of good elk populations. Then call the local DOW people and find out if all the cow tags are left over because there are lots of elk on public land or because there is lots of private and the elk may go there after opening day. When you find an area with lots of elk on public, then start getting in shape and plan on getting farther from the road than the other guy. And then, contemplate killing a 600-800 lb steer several miles from the truck in very steep terrain. How are you going to get him to the truck. Then REALLY start getting into shape! Good luck.