1865,
Your best bet is Coloraaada,they seem to be having the big boom in elk herds and tags are not that hard to come by.I think if you put in with a outfitter you are garunteed a tag.
Montana has some great hunting also,but not the populatin(wich is growing) quality is good,but lack of animals.
Cost depending kind of hunt and quality of game can be anywhere from 2000-6000 dollars and still no garuntee.
I know in Montana the cost of a tag is Elk/Deer combo Outfitter sponsored is about a Grand.This a guranteed tag.
Cost of a outfitter is about 3000-4000 grand for a good 7 day hunt.
Now you can start putting in now for some of the better area that have Trophy bulls like Arizona,Utah and Nevada,then if you draw you have a legitimate reason to hire a outfitter.
or you can do-it-yourself with a buddy and cut the cost way down.
I would check the Colorado DW,and Montana FWP