Scott
The reason those elk are there in those areas is because there is water and fewer people to push them around. The east side is true cattle range and there are water troughs everywere. Most hunters don't see them as they are driving slowly down the roads "hunting" if thats what you want to call it. I don't have a chip on my shoulder about it as they will only get an occassional glance at a bull. But those bulls don't wait for you to open the door or even stop the rig.
All of these places are over 5000 ft and borders
on alpine. Cold as heck at night and will snow from time to time if your lucky that last week.
You will need to be prepared for both warm and cold if not wet days. I love it wet but do just as well when dry. There are some tricks but they aren't secrets, just common sense. What a little excitement in your hunt? Backpack in and sleep under the stars(but take a lightweight tarp just in case). Practice your calling just before you
get in the sleeping bag. Then as your trying to get to sleep you hear a creeper coming in. You may smell him but won't see him. Or it can be a susie looking for big daddy. Anyway if you have to get up and take a leak, wow what a rush when that elk takes off. You will be glad you brought the exta shorts. The more time you spend over in that country the more stories you can only guess if anyone really believes them. You have to do it
the hard way. More people with their little bugels and cow calls, tooting away as if they were in the highschool band. They will learn in time if they pay the price with the legs and listen. The elk will tell and show you what to do if you study them. Many hunters just won't stay still and watch and learn. It's all part of the fun. Killing gets old after a while. It's fooling them before they can fool you thats so much more fun. I hope you get a big bang out of the eastside
and have a safe and exciting time.

PS I think I activated the e-mail but let me know if I didn't do it correctly. It should appear when you click on the profile icon above my post.
Badboy.....good to hear your out there. I welcome your e-mail. Sure hope you get one of those mulies.