My family rfile hunts first season, I bow hunt, but they hear bugles enough so that they often can locate the elk by following the sounds and are quite successful and filling thier tags because of the bugling bulls.
As has been said, a cow call of some sort, even mewing with your voice, can sometimes freeze a bull long enough for a shot. I also wouldn't go during any rifle season without a cow call at the ready.
Did I mention, get in shape.