LAST EDITED ON Feb-10-09 AT 05:11PM (MST)[p]First of all, I think what you're doing for your Dad is great, whether you decide to hunt behind a fence or not is for you to decide.
That said, I was fortunate enough to hunt with my grandfather a lot. Countless hunts, most of them just weekend trips and a yearly hunting camp for a week.
I was also lucky enough to be standing right next to my grandfather when he killed the last couple elk he ever shot. He shot this one at age 77 on a DIY public land hunt.
Two years later, he killed this one, his last, at age 79. Also a DIY public land hunt.
I dont think my grandfather would have ever wanted to hunt behind a fence, even if it was a gift. I think for him, it was good enough to simply be hunting with his family and just being there.
I dont really believe it would be that important to your Dad to HAVE to kill an elk. I think the gesture you show by doing something nice for him and taking the time to hunt with him...is undoubtedly the most important part. Elk or not, he'll be just as happy either way.
I agree with the others, if he hunted fair chase all his life...I think you should just roll the dice on a public land hunt somewhere and enjoy the hunt. Theres a lot more to a hunt than just killing an animal...at least IMO.
Good luck and have a good time whatever you decide.