Having put away a pile of moose, caribou, bear, and deer, I'll give yah some tidbits:
Your feet are everything: Lowa GTX hunters are the ticket. I'd rather pay $400 for them, and buy a POS rifle for $200.
The knife needs to be an extension of your finger, so don't get too big with it. I don't mind sharpening occasionally, so I typically cut up an entire moose with D-2 steel or 440C. Never have I desired a knife any longer than 4 inches.
Food Savers wear out, so get a warranty.
Don't get a cheap canner, get a good one.
Process your own meat, some places are sketchy and don't take care of your meat, or you could get someone else's
Read Elmer Keith: "Hell I was There". Elmer is THE MAN, he was also a remarkable elk hunter.
Don't wear noisy cloths, dress in layers
Patience ALWAYS pays off. Don't move all over the place, take your time. Pick a spot for all the right reasons, and stick to your guns. You'd be surprised how well elk and other big game can hide among a sea of hunters who move too much.
Though the rifle is the least important expense, do look for medium caliber rifles. Elk are surprisingly tough and I wouldn't lob sup 30 caliber gopher bullets at them. Don't get all hopped up on velocity, most shots are within 200 yds.
Here are some great standard calibers for elk, moose and bear for a starting hunter or a seasoned hunter alike:
358 winchester ( a 308 win necked up to 35 caliber)
338 federal (a 308 win necked up to 338 caliber)
338-06 (a 30-06 necked up to 338 caliber
35 Whelen (a 30-06 necked up to 35 caliber
9.3x62 mauser (a german round typically found in 30-06 sized rifles)
I've shot three bull moose with lever action 358 winchesters. This cartridge is a winning combination of low recoil, range, and penetration on very large game. Got pictures on my website under "past hunts"
Age the front and hind quarters, but not the rest. Process the rest IMMEDIATELY.
A cheap meat hanging shack can be made with a used window air conditioning unit and some plywood. Spray vinegar on the front and hing quarters hang the meat and blast the air conditioning unit for one week.