Good suggestion to start putting in now. Im a WA resident, and I think they mismanage the Elk here big time. The elk population can definitely support more tags being allotted. There is great hunting down around Rainier if you don't mind getting wet, and on the Eastside you gotta ask your self what type of terrain you want to hunt. Your options could range from steep to really F'n steep. If you are out for a long range poke at something, the Blues might offer you that opportunity. Some of the more central cascade hunts can be in pretty thick wooded areas.