I don't know if I would consider any elk tag in Alaska to be widely known as an "elite" tag to draw. The reason they even have draws on elk in AK is that there just aren't many of them or many places to hunt them. The hunt sounds like more a wilderness adventure of the Alaskan nature, and would probably be a great trip (so would blacktails and you don't need to get drawn for those)
I know people who have drawn for Afognak/Strawberry, but not Etolin. Bulls are known for big bodies, but weird, almost stunted antlers with sometimes few points.
Terrrain and vegetation in coastal AK is "interesting". That time of year I would follow the advice in the article and fly up high. From the water you'd be looking at miles of bushwacking. We have some thick vegetation here, but nothing compares to endless mats of stunted alder, all pointing downhill from being pushed along the ground by snow weight.