hello crow, I will usually sit on a big ridge and listen for bugles. Sometimes I will bugle if I get bored waiting to hear one. For me the more you use a bugle while trying to close in on a bull the more chance you have of pushing the elk away. Especially a herd bull, they already have a pod of cows and will try to move off most of the time so as not to have to defend what he already has. I use cow calls alot trying to get the bulls to bugle and to come in. Mornings and evening will have the most activity for elk but during the rut you can talk one into you anytime of the day, satelite bulls will be out looking for love all day long. my experience with herd bulls is that once he beds his cows down and he lays down it will be hard to find and hunt him with so many eyes ears and noses. hope this helps a little.