Same here--they're around but it's fairly uncommon to see one. I was glad this lady didn't have a calf in tow. ha ha
I don't use a tree stand. I mostly wander around, sneaky as all get-out, and try to spot them before they spot me, at which point I commence being even more sneaky, attempting to sneak up on them in a most sneaky manner.
I also do some calling for elk. It's really fun talking to them and hearing them talk back. More and more, though, they just come in silent because there are so many doofuses bugling off the backs of four-wheelers, the elk have become pretty call-shy. So basically, either I'm sneaking up on them, or they're sneaking up on me.