Like most things in life and with elk, what you sow is oft what you reap....

Since the '80's, I have enjoyed 3-season backpacking, day hiking, bug-rodding and untold hours 4-wheeling a significant amount of WA real estate east of the PCT. In more recent times, Google Earth is invaluable. In due course, one can get eyes on migration corridors betwixt confirmed alpine summer/early fall breeding areas to sage flat wintering grounds so options are available depending upon weather and snow levels. It is quite something to be kept up all night by screaming bulls clunking hooves on rocks mere feet from your tent. The old steelhead adage that 10% of the water holds 90% of the fish also applies to elk. Have had the good fortune to see/hear/smell elk almost daily when far removed from FS roads and the ubiquitous fall pumpkin patches. They are remarkably gracious professors for those so inclined to enroll in Elk U. For the astute, you may even learn a thing or two about yourself in the process....