Help out a southern boy

[Gatransplant]

Hey fellas
I just moved to Colorado not long ago after spending my entire life in the south between Georgia and Louisiana so elk hunting to me is a foreign concept. Me and 2 buddies have gotten leftover draw takes for first season bull elk in white river. After doing some research I think we will be hunting GMU 12 based on past success rates and available public land. So here's where I start to get a little overwhelmed. I'm trying to plan a scouting trip in a couple of weeks but it will only be 2 full days so I need to make the best of my time. I have no idea where to start on a topo map or google maps to even narrow down an area. I'm aware that I need to get off the beaten path to find elk. But other than that I need some advice. I've read that I don't want to be too intrusive at this point in the year so my questions are.

1) what do I need to do to narrow down hunting areas within the GMU?
2) once I get there to scout what will be the best way to find a hunting spot without disturbing any population?

Also will it be useful to learn calling skills after the rut? I'm pretty decent with a duck and goose call but never tried a bugle or know when to use one. Should I save that for next year.

[Kenny]

I only use a cow call during the rifle season. Look on Google Earth for meadows close to dark woods and the higher the better. Dark woods will usually be on the north face of a mountain.