a bruiser will be tough , but he should have a fun hunt and he will see plenty of elk .

I would go in looking for a nice 4x4, 140-145" should be the goal, he may get lucky and get something above 150". I am sure it will be a nice deer with a thick neck. Tell him to not get hung up on the score, enjoy the hunt and shoot what has the wow factor for him.
Don't let anybody give him any guff about not doing the tag justice, it will be a fun hunt that he should see lots of deer and elk on.