Thanks for the advice.

I should rephrase my comments about having no trouble getting a elk. We intend on putting a great deal of effort into hunting while we are out there. Given that(and how our last scouting trip went), I believe we will have at least one opportunity at 'A' elk. My partner is mostly a trophy hunter(He has consistently pulled 18+ point mule deer in North Dakota where he recently moved from). I am in a transition phase where I would like to hunt at that level. Both of us intend on being selective about the elk we want. I am trying to figure out if the bigger bulls are likely to have different behavior than the smaller ones(such as avoid all open areas and hide when the pressure is on, or would they still venture out in the open).

I am sure after our trip I will know a lot more, but this is my first elk hunt, and I want to be as prepared as possible. I do intend on having one hell of a time and learning a lot, regardless of whether or not we come home with anything for the freezer.