We just got back from a ATV travel camp a week ago down in the elk river / Avery area and had one cow elk on road. It was probably just to hot but we were up in the 6700 ft elevation alot and still no sign. My recommendation would be to get ahold of Connie at the elk river lodge, she is the owner and has been there the last ten yrs. . When we talked with her a week ago I asked about elk and she said wolves had totally wiped the area out three yrs ago but she does see some starting to come back. She also said this yrs. pups got distemper or porvo can't remember but hoping to put a damper on wolf population.
We put 354.5 miles on the atvs and camp trailers and saw a whole lot of beautiful country.
Good luck to you on your elk adventure .