RE: calling cows?
depends upon the season...cows will come in to a call...but not nearly as much as during rut activity where they are bunching up...
Additionally, keep in mind any call, does two things...tells others something is in the area, and secondarily, if not done well, sends a message of where NOT to be...
done well, it just blends right in, and not a big deal...
with cows, you can use calf call more effectively to get them to chat up...but then see above...