I don't know off the top of my head where Ohio stands but I know some states don't want to manage elk. It's a whole new skill set for management that many states don't want to pay to have. In fact in some states an elk is actually considered a "deer" and can legally be shot with a deer tag if the venture over the state line.

Having said that I think it's only a matter of time before elk are restored to many if not all states. I think it's a feel good story that I hope continues to grow in the east.

If I were you though I'd find a way to make that trip out west though to hunt elk. There is no other experience like it and there won't be a lot of elk hunting in the east probably in your lifetime. Even as populations grow the drawing odds are extremely tough.