spot and stalk
elk are easier to sneak up on then most other big game especially when they are broken up in little groups.
it still is not easy but from what you explain that would be my method
if you can see where they are heading beat them there with a little luck and a little skill I ended up once 10 feet from a feeding spike without a call or a scent cover
the only problem with this is they are to close for you to move and by the time they get back into range you have buck fever so bad you cant shoot any way