My best advice for early season hunting/calling is to be patient. I have noticed that more than half the time the bulls will come in silently. When you finally get that response or see the elk get as close as possible. Then start sounding like a small heard of cows. Call for 30 secs. to 1 min. then stop and listen for 10 min. I throw in all types of cow sounds, I mostly like calf sounds, because they seem more vocal early in the season, with just a few estrus cow sounds thrown in. I do this for 3 to 4 sequences with a total time of around 35 to 45 minutes. Be on your toes because they can come in quietly. Try and make slow steady movements and be ready.
Good luck this hunting season. I hope you stick the big-one your after.
P.S. Nice article in the Muley Crazy magazine.
Later,
IB