I hunted elk self guided with a friend four times while bow hunting and didn't kill one back in the late 80's early 90's.
Went on a guided rifle hunt in 2004 and killed my one & only elk, a 5x4. I couldn't have been happier!
Used my ULA 300WSM and 180gr Nosler Partitions........
I had a great guide (T. Mike Murphy) but he sucked as a photographer.