In a couple of decades on the internet, this is the first time I've seen these words in this order.
As somebody who has never hunted East of the Snake River, my impression of hunting in the Eastern US is that if you don't know someone who has 40 acres and more deer than he knows what to do with, you're not going to have a good time. I bet a lot of people have that impression, and right or wrong, that drives the decision to not go back East and not bother researching it more.
Besides, it would cost about $1,000 in gas to drive there and back for a chance at a bunch of venison. Or I can take that $1000 to the grocery store and fill my freeze with steaks on easy mode.
That works going East to West because even if you strike out on elk, you're hanging out in the vacation destination Rocky Mountains.