You can pursue both at the same time, but you have to realize, that by the time the general season rolls around, the elk and deer have been chased for 6 weeks already by archery hunters, and the cow elk in certain areas since August 15th with the shoulder season, so that means the elk have gone either to property where they don't allow hunting or if they do, it's for a hefty fee, or they have gone high and deep. The last two years, my area, has been over ran with hunters, because of the unlimited shoulder tags, and as such, the elk have disappeared by the second week of archery. I know where they go, and it's on a 35k acre ranch that doesn't allow hunting. But I'm not trying to discourage you, there is elk still around, but you will have to work for them, and be prepared to find people all over, from trail heads, to a few miles in. Now for the weather, it seems to be the last three years, come October, it has been cold and snowy, so be prepared for that. The next hardest part, will be drawing a tag to hunt here, I know of two guys who wanted to come hunt last year, and they each had a bonus point and still didn't draw, and I imagine, with point creep, it will take two points to pull a tag, but you never know if you'll get lucky and pull it, but either way, hope to hear that you make it here to enjoy the hunting we have.
