I'm out from well before daylight to well after dark! You don't have a chance unless you are out there in it!
Obviously if it's hot, full moon, and dry the elk likely won't be out as much during daylight. If it's slow I often lay down and take a nap and wait through the slow times for them to move....possibly at a good waterhole, wallow, or area they may come back out of the deep, dark trees. If it's decent weather and the elk are out all day I often spend the majority of time using my eyes to glass and legs to cover lots and lots of country. If I know a particular bull is hanging out in a particular drainage I may just sit in a couple key locations all day (or several days) waiting for him to expose himself rather than spooking him to the next county. A lot depends upon the particular situation, topography, terrain, weather, hunting pressure, length of hunt, access issues.....there's a lot of stuff to consider!