I live in Kentucky and the elk herd is still growing. There are only about ten counties in which they are found. This year there were 200 tags available. The elk have been reitroduced in reclaimed coal strip mine ground, that's why they are easily removed whole. Also, the F&W department are still evaluating the herd, they want the weight on hoof and various other measurements. And for the Wal-Mart check in, that only pertains to the elk, all other species are done over the phone.