FYI - 4.5 may not draw the Wyoming general in 2024 unless you do the special higher priced draw.
As to scouting, it really depends. The areas I hunt see a massive change in elk location between late August and mid October on most years. The herds we hunt have seemed to start migrating earlier and earlier over the last 20 years. This year we found 1000+ head already down on sage brush at under 7,000' in elevation (private) by the 3rd week in October and there was virtually no snow. Most of those same elk were at 10,000' in elevation at the beginning of September. My best advice is to scout with your computer as much as you can prior to the hunt and save the extra vacation time for hunting. I would much rather hunt 14 days than scout 7 and hunt 7. Be very flexible and think outside the box until you find elk to hunt. Good luck!
If not this, then spend your scouting days immediately before your hunt.
If archery hunting, you may find benefit in summer scouting. Rifle season, I'd rather either just show up and hunt, or scout a few days prior to the opener.
Either way, if you aren't seeing elk, keep moving and looking...don't hunt where they were, hunt where they are.
Some savvy that, some hunt on memories.