Sorry to hear about your pop passing buddy, I lost mine a few years ago. OK, how to get into elk hunting and perhaps, shorten the learning curve a bit and maximize success. Study them. Seriously, get out and spend time watching them, listening to them, and learn as much as possible about the big galoots by first hand experience. There is really nothing that can duplicate just being close to elk to learn about them. This forum and others are a wealth of great information on the how to's and don't do's that old codgers like me didn't have access to when we were first starting out. There weren't too many computers and forums around when I started elk hunting in the mid 70's, LOL. I would also recommend you pick up some of Elknut's instructional DVDs (he's one of the sponsors here). His study and information sharing of elk language interpretation, tactics, and calling techniques are the best out there IMO. Best of luck to you sir in your elk hunting education and future hunts!