Realistically alot devices such as scents, calls, and decoys are promoted and mass produced saying it's the hottest thing going. I've called and lured tons of elk over the past. Even pursued the big ones long enough to make them come back for a challenge. Some use reed type bugle calls others use diaphrams. I'm a diaphram user when it comes to bugles. They work well for me(notice the part where I said its for me). Some people may spend years trying to make an elk call from one. Sceery makes some really good and easy to use elk calls. I can't use the reed style due to a cleft pallet. So I use the Sceery cow call that you bite down on and blow through. But the main thing is to use a tape recorder while practicing so you know wether you sound atleast close. Elk make several different calls saying different things. Until you have heard these calls and seen the actions of the elk taking place its hard to discribe it. Primos makes a pretty decent video on elk calling that gets it pretty close. It's call Mastering the Art. Some will say elk calling is easy. Its not every elk has his own mind. And that's what your trying to do is sway an old hard headed bull into coming to you. Alot of times I merely use a call for a locater and put the slip on the old bugger. It all depends on the circumstances like hunting pressure, weather, and the stage of the rut. The guys that call on private ranches and trophy draw units have a much higher success rate. The elk just dont have the human contact or education of the ones on public land. Rent the videos and the tapes so you can have a better idea. Best experience is first hand in the field but you'll educate a few bulls in the process.

H.S. Scents work pretty well for me when i'm trying to bring the bull to me. Cover scent is more important. Alot of people talk about wind direction but in the rocky you get swirls of wind all the time. So you just try to stick with the dominate wind direction and use cover scent. I like the H.S. fresh earth scent. Or use existing elk urine found on the trail.

I've always thought the day I knew everything there was to calling and hunting elk is the day they scatter my ashes over the mountain. Every year brings a new challenge.

Goodluck on your hunt.