crbaker, do some reading. Transplants have been going on for many years, and for the most part, have been very successful. The fact is, elk are plains animals,and primarily live in the mountains because they were pushed there and adapted many many years ago. Oregon elk numbers aren't suffering do to transplant programs. Do some more reading here.
http://www.outdoor.com/activities/hunting-activities/elk-herds-and-elk-hunting-in-the-us/