If you can afford it go the classic guided hunt in the wilderness in Wyoming on horseback. The experience and adventure sounds like what you are after. I haven’t scratched that itch yet myself but need to in the next couple of years. After that you can hunt diy public land in Colorado like we do for under $2000 a year since you will have the bug.
I get an elk most years but more cows than bulls - first legal elk for me fills the freezer and I draw for a cow tag then buy otc bull. I waited until I was in my 40’s to hunt elk, my 12 year old grandson gets hi first trip with both tags this week. The sooner you start the more elk hunting you get in before you are too old or infirm.
