A guided elk hunt isn't a inexpensive way to bag an elk, but many hunters find that it's worth the price. Going out with a guide who knows the area's elk and the area in which you'll be hunting is invaluable, vastly increasing your chance of success. But hiring an outfitter can be a little nerve-wracking - in many cases, you're sending a deposit of hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to a stranger on blind faith. But there are a few things you can do to plan a guided elk hunt that may put your mind a little more at ease. First, choose what state you want to hunt. There's plenty of information to find in guide books, magazines, the Internet and through other hunters that can help you decide. Look at the size of the elk herds, the hunt success rate, and at other game you can include on your hunt - you might be able to combine your elk hunt with a mule deer hunt, a whitetail deer hunt or even bear. How far you'll have to travel is a factor, as well.
Then there's the type of guided elk hunt experience you want to have - the four basic types of hunts are bare bones, the drop camp, the standard hunt, and, at the top of the line, the trophy hunt. The bare bones hunt will cost you the least money, getting you room and board and recommendations of good places to hunt, but not much else. If you're lucky enough to get an elk on this sort of package, you'll have to figure out how to get out yourself (most likely paying extra for the outfitter's help). The drop camp type of guided elk hunt will get you a camp equipped with tents, cooking utensils, and sometimes even food. The outfitter will take you to your camp, show you where to begin your hunt, and then leave. A guide may stop by to check in and pack out any game you score. The standard guided elk hunt is the one that most hunters choose, and that's where you get into some real money. The outfitter provides you with a guide, and they handle your packing, camp chores, and field care of any elk you get - you just need to bring your gun, ammo, clothing, and a sleeping bag. If you can afford it, the trophy hunt offers a better chance that you'll get a specific animal, like as a big 6-by-6 bull. This type of guided elk hunt is expensive, and it's also physical rigorous - you'll most likely be guided to a remote area and hunt on rougher terrain, away from smaller bulls and cows that are easier targets. And you still may not get an elk, no matter how much it costs.
Contact several outfitters, compare services and prices, and find out what will be asked of you in return. Ask for references, as well. With a bit of research and planning, you can feel confident hiring an outfitter to take you on a guided elk hunt that will result in success.