Welcome and respect xxDuffyxx!! I'm located in ON so I can't help you out much with local resources. I've been hunting a long time. Early with Dad, the "uncles", Bro in law, etc. was always focused on birds. Was always interested in big game. Once all my mentors and hunting buddies passed, moved away or pursued other interests in life, I turned to deer. Inherited my late Bro in Law's rifle so that nailed my desire to go after it seriously. Did a lot of book reading, internet articles, and YouTube viewing. Took all of that with a grain of salt. Elk in the mountains is something special. I haven't done it but research tells me you'll want a light, flat shooting reliable rifle with good terminal ballistics to create a good wound channel and ethically harvest your animal. Did you get a lot of applied ballistics study when in the forces? You may want to brush up. I am under the impression you'll possibly be shooting steep grades and bucking winds. As far as field dressing, enjoy your reading and viewing as there's a ton of info available. One source I really like and continue to learn from is Meateater.com. American based but good for us Canadians, too. I just bought a subscription to their mobile app this year, OnXHunt/OnXMaps and I'm learning to use it. It makes navigation and understanding my woods a lot easier for me. It is a web/mobile app based platform and can be used across all of your platforms -desktop, tablet, laptop, phone, etc. The videos available will cover all of the topics you mentioned and there are some that are just darn peaceful, like the woods. BTW, I do not get paid or beneift for an endorsement. Just my honest opinion. Also, some of the new calibers are being touted as excellent long range firearms and there is a lot of evidence backing it. Me? I'm a shotgun guy, first. Needing rifles, I'm a traditionalist and besides it was the 30-06 that I inherited. I also bought a fancy Italian semi-auto rig with two barrels/actions/magazines that are interchangeable using the one lower. Not a black rifle. It's specifically designed for big game. What caliber? 30-06, of course. The second is 300WM for that once in a lifetime moose hunt I'm planning. 30-06 is reputed to be capable for any big game in NA and has been a freezer filler for decades. I'll share additional details, upon request. Enjoy!
