I think it was Confucius that said "elk are where you find them'.
A very true statement.
Due to all the pressure, just because you have not found any fresh sign yesterday or today, does not mean elk won't move in overnight. Elk can, and will, move a long ways quickly.
I was coming home from a 2nd season deer hunt, driving S on Hwy 9 from Green Mountain Reservoir, and saw a few elk on a hillside above a public campground along the river. By the time I stopped, there were maybe 3 dozen elk up there, with more coming out of the trees. I stopped counting at 121, with many more piling out. Just above the elk sat a 'trophy' house.
So, 'elk are where you find them'.
