I feel it depends somewhat on where you drawn. For example, if one is lucky enough to get a tag in limited big bull spots like parts of Arizona, Nevada, or Utah hold out for at least a 350 bull. Most other places just relax and enjoy yourself and the scenery. Especially if it is a pack string hunt, the adventure is what counts.
As I have mentioned before have taken 35 bulls and do not know how many cows, so do have a bit of experience. Have taked several bulls over 360 my largest a 403 in Utah on public land. All tags were drawn, but sure took a lot of applications. No I do not measure most of my bulls, but when you get a real giant, someone is going to measure it. Goes with the territory.

since ive never shot one, anything with antlers!

Unless you are participating in a high dollar canned hunt, don't be too picky. I take the first legal bull that I have a clean shot on. Last year, I shot the first cow that I have taken in over 10 years. I had two tags and since I let a bull slip by me one day, I would have gone home empty handed if I had not taken the cow. Any elk is a trophy. Those who don't agree are either horn hunters or never put much time in chasing wapiti.

Yes, sir. No amount of wasabe and ginger will spice up that plastic coated un-notched elk tag! I had one taped on my desk whiteboard all year after getting skunked in 2009 justto remind me of that. Depending on how the money holds out, I might buy a leftover cow tag to backup my Bull tag.

BTW, if elk were so easy to hunt....

This from Montana Outdoors, the magazine of MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks: Quote

"Elk hunting versus deer hunting: Elk hunting is typically harder than deer hunting. Elk move more often and farther, and they are often in steeper and more rugged terrain. Elk hunting usually requires far more effort, and success rates are far lower.

The odds of killing an elk in Montana: Over the past two decades, the statewide average combined annual success rate for bulls and cows has been roughly 20 percent. That means that each year, one of five hunters kills an elk. On average, successful hunters in Montana spend 10 to 12 days hunting before killing an elk.

The odds of killing a big bull: Each year only about 4 percent of elk hunters kill a 6x6 (six points, or tines, on each antler) or larger bull. Most of those elk are shot by local hunters who have figured out elk movement patterns or hunt the backcountry for many days and by hunters who hire outfitters and have access to prime private land.

Time: The more time you spend in Montana’s elk country—scouting before the season and hunting during—the better your odds of finding good spots to hunt and see elk. It’s unrealistic to expect to kill an elk by hunting only a few days." End Quote

"According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, elk hunting in Colorado during 2008 across all seasons and methods of take produced an elk hunter success rate of 20%. Traditionally success rates for elk hunting in Colorado have hovered around the 25% range, so 2008 was a somewhat less productive year compared to years past."

I suppose it is a matter of perspective, not being argumentative here. Everyone has their own database!

WAM

Wam hit it on the head. If I have an archery either sex tag it is the first legal bull I can get close enough to. My first elk with a bow was a cow elk and I worked my tail off to get her.
Rifle Bull elk well, pretty much the same answer.

The only deviation to this is if I get into an area that is loaded with big bulls then a 350 class. That has never happened to me yet so need to keep working at it. Elk arn't all that easy to hunt, for me anyway.

Ontario also has had a different experience, and loads of them (nice pics)

I have an easier time hunting mule deer than elk. So maybe it is a hunter/geographic/topographic/skill thing as Mr. Happy touched on.

I have also come home empty handed ALOT and can't say I have had bad hunts, just need more work at it and I always have a great time.

If its your first take the first legal bull. I drew on a tag and had a small bull at 200 yards and passed because I had two weeks left in the hunt and we had seen bigger bulls. Long story short the herd moved out of the area i drew on and I didnt see another elk the last two weeks. I have been kicking myself ever since. tag soup tastes horrible

I am yet to get my first elk, so anything legal and in range.

I have taken a few elk we had trouble getting a pack horse to let alone a truck. The nice bull I took a year ago with my grandson we boned on the spot then lugged meat with help from some friends. That is when you know who your friends are.

The first one I see on opening day! Guys like me can't take any chances.

Well, I might have to condition my earlier statement. IF (and IF is underlined) I can find where the elk are, I almost always can at least see them or get very close. Tracking whitetails is MUCH less productive for me even though there's lots more of them. Also, WAM, most of those Montana hunters, either deer or elk, are drive-by shooters. I had my own horses so I could take elk in places where most folks wouldn't dare. Still, I had enough sense to know what places even I shouldn't be shooting them. I haven't boned out an elk or moose yet and sure hope I never have to. I wouldn't even attempt it unless there's a foot of snow on the ground and very cold. Hard enough to keep the meat clean when quartering it up. If it's warm out, all the smaller pieces of meat or string ends will likely be a sour mess before you can get it home. Then there's the issue of dealing with flies while trying to bone it out. Again, when quartering an elk at least much of the meat that counts is still covered with hide. Of course, if it's really warm quartering the animal may not be enough. But I wouldn't hunt the backcountry in those conditions anyway.

If you can comfortably size up the animal then it's not a shooter.