This year I went up early 2nd week, set up my base camp, scouted just a bit, and came home. The area I was in there was only one other camp there at that time, and they were just there early scouting for ML season. I came back Sunday afternoon to find several new camps all around me, with 10 new camps just in the spur road area I was camped. I talked to many of those guys and every single one of them said they hadn't heard or seen an elk yet........and apparently that continued all week for them.
Sunday evening I went up the draw everyone was hunting and got a bull to respond. I got within 50 yards of several cows, two raghorns, and a spike.......but the herd bull stayed covered up. No dice. But the next morning went 1/4 mile out of camp and bugled and got an immediate response. Same herd bull with his cows and satellites. I glassed him from 330 yards and he was a good 6x6. I chased him most the morning through the timber and had him at 30-40 yards several times and couldn't get an open shot.
I chased him multiple days and every time couldn't get an open shot through the thick timber. Then finally a week ago Tuesday evening I found him and challenged him. He bugled further away......probably 150 yards. So I challenged him again and started running in on him. As I came around a large pine, there he was on a run.......screaming as he ran, and only a few yards away at that point. He darted up the slope and into the timber when he saw me.
So after many encounters of him not running in.........suddenly on this occasion he decided it was time.........exactly when I was running in as well. Yes, it does work........but no, you don't always get a shot.
BTW, I'm a bugler. I hunt like I'm just another bull on the mountain, and usually a bull with an attitude. Doesn't matter whether it's OTC or limited units, I always hunt the same, and I always get into bulls. I will say that it may not be the best technique for actually shooting elk while solo, but it sure is fun. And at my age, I've killed a lot of elk.......I prefer to enjoy myself out there more so than ensuring I shoot something.