1bowhunter1 said it best "seeing and connecting are 2 different things". I have had elk within 20-30 yrds almost everytime I have hunted this year, but the brush has been in the way everytime! Walk the darktimber and dogfir very,very slowly and keep the wind in your favor and your ears open, they are very on edge at this point of the season. Now, with that being said, go get em' and good luck!