Free: Contests & Raffles.
I bet wolves are 100%. Atvs 75%. Weather hot. Crowds?? Sure elk in there but wolves are too. As good as any area more or less. Avoid wolfy and who knows. I expect to find all the above but that's fine.
I’ve been to Elk City many times - the locals know of every elk taken - its big news. Scout it hard you have a chance. In general elk density is lower - sometimes much lower - than western washington. Closer towards Boise the wolf issue lessens.