If one were to go on a guided backcountry Elk hunt, do you first draw a tag and THEN approach an outfitter or do you make arrangements with the outfitter and the tag somehow just comes with the outfitted trip? Any additional comments or thoughts in this general topic area would also be welcome.

It depends, I need alot more info, like where are you hunting (state, zone, etc), what are you hunting with (bow, black powder, rifle), etc?

Rifle hunting in (1) Weminuche Wilderness in SW Colorado, (2) Teton Wilderness in NW Wyoming, or (3) Marshall Wilderness in mid-Western Montana. These are representative areas. Depending on issues involved -- availability of tags, quality of hunts available, etc. -- other areas may be considered. I guess I would focus on Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.

Al,
In Montana we have something called a outfitter sponsored tag,each outfitter is aloted so many tags,so be for the drawing you book with your outfitter and get his number and put that on your aplication,this basicaly a garunteed tag.
Or you can put in for a drawing and let luck decide,then you can book with a outfitter or DIY hunt.
Now the outfitter sponsored one is more money but like I said you get a tag,you can also do a Deer/elk combo also so you can hunt both speicies.In the "BoB" there are some good mulies and some outstanding whitie's also.
Best of luck check out Montnana FWP for details.
BBJ

Based on checking I did for a hunt, if its an OTC tag, the outfitter will probably help you get it. If its draw only and they don't have outfitter tags, then the way it seemed to work, was you put in your deposit with the outfitter, he helped you apply for the draw. If you were successfull, you're in. If not, couple things could happen:

- roll your deposit to next year and try again (whether you got this years rates or next years rates varied)
- refund the deposit
- Option to buy a land owner tag ($$$$)

As luck would have it,I am one of the NR's that hunt Montana for elk.I will be back in the Bitterroot again this year.
At no time would I go without a Guide.If you havn't been in that part of the country then I would recommand the haring of a
guide/outfitter to enhance the chances of taking an elk..they provide a valuable service and I don't mind paying the extra for
outfitter sponsored license.PM me for name and address of the outfitter and guide we use.
Jim