If I'm hiking in and out of an area I use a cow call every now and then when I break timber or make a noise, so it sounds like an elk walking through the woods. If the elk are in rut I bugle to locate and cow call to get them in closer. If the elk arn't responding I don't over do it.

Early season the elk don't tend to call as much and can be spooked by calling to often. Also calling in the middle of the day tends to spook animals from my experiance. most elk bugle and call during early morning or late afternoon.