It sounds to me like you need to spend some time in the woods learning about deer and elk. My guess is your rudimentary knowledge of hunting is based upon where your family always killed elk. That ship sailed, so learn how to find a new spot.
Well for starters, my Grandpa likes to drive in the truck, and just pull over when we see something. I on the other hand, like to hike. I like to walk in, where no one has been, and hunt there. I definitely prefer walking, rather than sitting in the truck. Anyways, my Uncle and I go walking every other day. One day, I go with him, the other I go with my Grandpa. My little brother and I switch who we go with, that way we can always have someone with my Grandpa. I have seen elk while hunting, but they are usually downwind, or 1 mile away at last light, but I think that that is just how hunting goes. I go walking, way more often than sitting in the truck, because that is how I am going to see elk. When I walk, I try to go at least 2 miles away from any road.
I find it far less important to scout than to understand habitat, topography, and how animals use them.
