Hike in, to your hunting area in the dark, hike out in the dark. Go high and glass long and hard. Late season elk are out in the AM, mid day and PM. Buy the best boots you can buy, sidehill walking takes a lot of ankle support. Be proficient with your rifle out to 400 yards. Bring enough rifle, they are not deer and do not always go down easy. Most elk killed are usually a mile from the nearest road. Elk hunting is a challenge, sometimes fun, most likely not. It, wears you out, and beats you up. They make noise, especially if they are in a herd, you can hear them from a long ways on a calm day. Pray for snow. I was on my first elk hunt in the late 50's and its been a lifelong adventure.
