As someone stated above because of forums there are more applicants each year. Wyoming also for a while non residents had priority over non residents for tags...which was great for money....but I think residents are years of complain got some more tags in certain areas sent their way.
All depends on if you plan on boning out, traveling in coolers. Also look at each state you enter and leave on their regulations for removal of brain matter is you bring a head back.
My dogs always do better with raw, heck we all do it when they gets the runs. Husky squad is a great follow and make sure they gets lots of trachea, my GSP's were required to have it have two TPLO surgeries and one that now has hip issues.
I wouldn't spend 5 days pre scouting for elk as the hunting pressure moves them around too much. I've seen elk in several good spots season hits for it's 2 week windows and nothing there the entire time
Use all your time for season, depending where you are, the zone the activity at the time, the private land, outfitter camps ect the elk may not be there. Elk at least where I am are not where they have always been and their routine has a longer duration or returning to that location you once saw...
Seeley Lake area is the best you can bop to Glacier if you want, but stay out of the craziness and if the wife kids ect don't' want to just sit around camp there are lakes and various towns nearbyish that they can venture around.
Hanging is great and of coarse there are lots of National forest ect that if you back pack in require an National forest approved bear container. You may want to call said forest and see if they have requirement and if so what their approved containers are because not all containers are...