HUNTING -- Here in the West, hunters still scratch their heads to associate elk with anyplace west of the Rockies.  But times have changed -- Kentucky is stepping up to help jump-start an elk herd in Wisconsin.

Since Kentucky’s elk herd began with seven elk from Kansas in 1997, the population has boomed to 10,000. Now the commonwealth is helping to build a new herd in Wisconsin.

According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the agency will provide Wisconsin with 150 cows, calves and yearling male elk trapped from areas with high complaints about nuisance elk. The transfers will take place over the next 3-5 years, financed by Wisconsin.

In return, Wisconsin will help develop forest habitat in eastern Kentucky to benefit wildlife, especially ruffed grouse.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources employees will assist with the trapping and disease testing in Kentucky.

The Montana-based Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will supply additional support. The foundation was instrumental in establishing Kentucky’s elk herd, which was boosted by releases of more than 1,500 elk from six states -- Kansas, Utah, Oregon, North Dakota, Arizona and New Mexico.