Free: Contests & Raffles.
I am gonna have to disagree with some on here. There are tons of spots with lots of elk and few people, especially during early archery when all the gates are closed. If you get a few miles behind a gate, the crowd really thins out. Same was true for me last year during early muzzeloader (had the multiseason). I had days last year where I hunted daylight to dark and didn't see another hunter once I left the gate. These same times I was in elk every day, often multiple times a day.As far as where to go, check the SW Washington units, such as (in no particular order) Ryderwood, Winston, Coweeman, Stella, etc.
now its time to keep it quiet about the exact location of your spot belkaholickeep it quiet from the word and you'll have a better hunt with more success