PB,
I feel for ya!
Opening day of ML Elk here in Colorado, after calling a spike bull, I begin still hunting around 11 or so. Every so often, called a few mew's on the call. Then, not fifty yards away, I see the asses of two cow elk. The timber was thick and I had a bull tag.They didn't yet see me and I began to move to see if I could see any other elk. After about 10 soft, slow, steps. I was spotted and they bolted,behind them a 5X5 (i think) bull was scratching his back with his antlers as he followed. I blew the call to stop them but they weren't fooled.
After regaining my composure, I began rethinking my actions after spotting them. Next time this happens, I think I'll just sit down and not provoke them. Let the opportunity present itself instead of forcing it.
When I got back to camp, I was told, "that's why they call it hunting".
Cheers, Phil