I agree with MarkCO and Spqrzilla, spending time in the woods, hiking and observing wildlife is important to gear yourself up physically and mentally. Take binoculars, camera, and go "hunting" throughout the summer. Learn to use binoculars in the woods on fast moving birds, squirrels and other critters. When you can spot kinglets and brown creepers in the forest with regularity you'll have the observational skills to move on to elk, and elk can be harder to find.

I learned big game hunting on my own and with a few exceptions have hunted solo ever since. It took a few years before I killed my first deer, a couple more for elk, but for three decades I've taken elk, antelope and/or deer every year. I worked for an outfitter for nine years and learned more about hunting, hunters and and horses.

I'm an 'on-your-own' hunter, but if you can afford to go with an outfitter, either guided or an unguided drop camp, you can learn a lot from a good outfitter.

Without a hunting coach you have to develop knowledge of the animals and how to hunt them, along with a hunting mindset, on your own. You can do this by reading everything you can get your hands on, and spending time afield. The public library, the CPW website and internet hunting forums offer a wealth of information.

Go to the library and check out every book and DVD on hunting western big game. Through your local library website you can access all library books & DVDs in Colorado through the Marmot system. Select the books online, put them on hold and the library staff will have the books collected and waiting for you. Can't get easier and it's free. Read anything by Jim Zumbo, who is one of the best western big game writers in modern times.

As far as picking a unit to hunt, I suggest you visit a CPW office and ask for suggestions. The folks are there to help you and will if you go during a time that's not too busy, like now before the Apr. 1 deadline. If you're very familiar with a particular area in the mountains, I'd start with that.