I am sorry - but DLeanords post really got to me.
The OP asked for where the elk would be, not that its easier and cheaper to go to Smith's to fill his freezer.
I hunt cow elk. I have yet to apply for a bull hunt here in NV, but plan to next year. I will probably apply for doe pronghorn or cow elk tags in Wyoming until I get a bull tag here.
I have killed 3 elk in NV. (cows).
The last one yeilded about 150 lbs of meat.
I was by myself when I shot it.
It cost me - $120 for the license, $140 to get it cut up, probably $100 in fuel, and $20 in bullets and powder through the year of shooting and practicing, and about $60 in other misc. expenses. My dad and I ate meat from out deer and elk last year, so that was a non cost for this hunt.
So thats $420 for 150 lbs of meat, or about $2.80 per pound.
I like it better than beef, it has less cholesterol than beef, less saturated fat than beef, and I got the satisfaction of knowing I killed it, I packed it, and I got to spend a week in the hills with my dad. I had bugling bulls at 5 yards, 30 yards, and 50 yards, I got to see the changing colors for a total of 10 days, I saw sage grouse, ruffed grouse, rabbits, deer, antelope, mountain scenery, unbeleivable sunsets.
I don't have to worry about buying meat for at least another year and a half, which I haven't done for about 3 years anyway, so I have no clue how much the cost compares to what this elk cost me.
If you don't like to "meat" hunt, then don't, but don't rag on someone because they choose to do so.
Later,
Marcial