Szap, You have your homework cut out for you. Division sites on the net will help answer some of your questions. If you go to Colorado Division of Wildlife it has a link page that will give you web adress for all the state sites. This will cover prices and how to apply for licenses for the different states. Also give you an idea of how many years it will take to get a premium tag if that is what you want. If you are looking at Colo., where I am at, you can buy a tag over the counter in many areas for bow or rifle. But if you want a huge bull, and we have some nice bulls here, you need to look at other states. AZ, NM, NV, MT, would be good choices. If you want a fun hunt in a state that has the largest population of elk, Colo. is your state. But I think you should know, and it has been said, get in good shape. Hunting elk is going to be a work out for you. You will need good optics also. Elk country is big no matter where you go and optics play an important role. If you are on your own a GPS or compass and maps will be needed to learn country and get back to camp. Calling can play a part also in getting elk in close if you are a bowhunter. I can go on and on, but here is a starting point. If you are a rifle hunter, there are some guys on this site that can help you with bullets and such. I am a bowhunter. A web site you should look at, www.elknut.com. Good luck on your quest.
Gselkhunter