RE: Elk calls
I've been callin elk for 12 years (hunting and just to see'em)in No.UT, ID, and WY and am inclined to say your better off without it. It's not that they aren't effective in some places, but as rileysoutdoors points out very limited in sound, and very short in vocal length. I have found some success using them simultaneously with mouth calls mimicing several elk at once, but alone very seldom do I have success (one spike and a couple cows responded). Also, in the cold they are very difficult to get quality sound out of.
Best bet is a mouth call, preferably reeds, as cows can and do make a variety of calls from short barks to long pleading whines. And I will second the ELK INC power bugle for locating and sounding like a ragtag.
GOOD LUCK IN WA. (I'll be in WY)