Obviously your there for a reason. There are elk where you were. Due to size, and amount of public land it is a pressured unit. Expect company and lack of input from anyone who hunts it with success. Lack of logging, fires, and feed, predators and hoof rot have all taken a toll. The upside is alot of "camping" goes on in my experience. I prefer areas that dont look "elky" thats all i will say on that. East vs west , doesnt matter imo. Elk are very scattered in the unit, and when you find them stay on them. Alot of guys will likely disagree but i have hunted it by covering ground and calling ALOT. Unless you have trail cam pics or a isolated herd, the elk are moving and they are likely not real visible. I do everything i can to get a response.