As a resident of Wyoming, I can tell you that a quality, free range, horseback hunt with a qualified outfitter is quite expensive. Probably the best place in the USA to get a real trophy elk is in New Mexico on the Indian reservations.

Just one example:

http://riatahuntingranches.com/hunting/n...ion-trophy-elk/

Mega dollars but exceptional animals as well.

My best Elk was taken on a private ranch and ended up costing about $8000. It was more like hunting Whitetails in upstate NY where I grew up than the image of the 500 yard cross canyon shot you see on the stupid TV shows.

It was an in tent, food cooked for you, one guide/hunter horseback hunt (brought my own tack).

Killed this boy at 18 paces with an 1809 British Baker 61 caliber military flintlock. 30+ years of Whitetail hunting with bow and shotgun back East were invaluable in getting up on him. As a now deceased old timer once told me: "you a'int huntin' Elk till you can smell em' ." ….. I sure could !