Im on my 1st elk hunt (rifle) in the black hills of south dakota. Ive done ALOT of research about elk and the area im hunting. The season opened oct 1st it was cool in the mornings (30s and 40s) and warm during the days (70s). Everybody i talked to was hearing very little to no bugling. My unit had 2 archery tags for the month of sept. and 10 gun tags for this month so im sure it isnt the pressure that is keeping them quiet. I heard one very short bugle sat morn from a bull coming toward me about 20 min after i did some cow calls right at 1st light. Then around noon i got into an area where i found 3 bulls together and watched them for about 15 minutes less than 100 yards away. I tried some light (quiet) bugles and cow calling and the whole time they just stood there looking around and didnt make a sound. I found some fresh wallows and alot of rubs. I didnt see a cow all weekend. So the quiet didnt mean they werent there. Im really wet behind the ears but im thinkin/hoping it will get better when/if the weather cools down. Is there anything else a guy could do in this situation?