MHWASH: Good luck to you this season with that 35 Whelen - I have been along on two Elk Hunts here in Montana where my partners used the 35 Whelen. Both Hunts were in the Missouri Breaks country and both my partners killed dandy Bulls with their 35 Whelens - both were one shot kills by the way.
I have a very close friend who lives in Dayton, Washington and he has been seeing several Bull Elk this fall - limited draw tags though I guess in that area.
He has also seen some Moose this year out in the draws of that Palouse country.
Keep after'em and I really hope your young son gets a chance on Elk this fall.
My three sons have done especially well on Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer and Antelope but none have bagged an Elk as yet.
School, college, careers and "girls" have interrupted their Hunting schedules of late.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy