i agree with everything ya said except for one, that be proficient at calling part. i personally think a hunter is better off with no call, or maybe a mouth diaphram or hoochie mama sort of cow call, but my best hunts have been when i shut up and sneak.
i will say that spot and stalk is my strength though, so maybe its just me on that one.

another thing i think is important, or 2 actually are good optics and boots, the best you can afford. sore feet means your whole body hurts. optics, ya get what ya pay for.

ill catch flack for this one too, but i would not recommend an expandable broadhead for elk. just me.

otherwise i think ya hit it right on the head, and seeing how you did in utah, im sure your calling is much better than mine, and if i were you, maybe i would call a bit more. i am going to get a couple of elknut1s cds, but i still doubt that i will call that much, just not my cup of tea.

cant wait for september
brad