Grays Harbor County man sentenced to 29 months in prison for big game violations

OLYMPIA - On July 1, a Grays Harbor County poacher was sentenced to 29 months in state prison, a $4,000 fine, and a two-year suspension of his hunting privileges, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

Randolph "Randy" Cox, 28, was charged with one felony count of possession of a firearm, six gross misdemeanors for elk poaching and wastage of big game, and one misdemeanor for criminal trespassing. Cox illegally harvested at least two elk in 2022 outside of legal hunting seasons.

On opening day of the 2022 modern firearm elk season, WDFW officers received a tip from a concerned hunter who had encountered Cox. The reporting party was assisting Cox with car trouble when Cox began bragging about the illegal harvest, claiming that hunting had been better the day before the season opener. Officers identified Cox, who officers had already encountered earlier in the year for an unrelated report involving an elk harvest, as the primary suspect based on the descriptions provided of the individual and vehicle.

A Fish and Wildlife Officer responded to the area where the reporting party had contacted Cox but was unable to find the vehicle. The officer spoke with other hunters in the area and requested they contact police if they saw the described vehicle.

Several hours later, one of the hunters contacted the officer stating they had seen the vehicle. Multiple officers responded and contacted Cox and others in the vehicle. The group, which included multiple parties without valid permission to be on the property, provided an inconsistent story that didn't conform to state law or hold up to questioning. Eventually, Cox, who had already harvested an elk during an earlier season, admitted to shooting indiscriminately at an elk herd and retrieving a spike bull, which was illegal for the season.

Later, officers were able to locate a four-by-four bull elk that the group had harvested, failed to recover, and allowed to go to waste. Officers recovered the spike bull's head but were unable to recover meat from the animal.

Fish and Wildlife Officers worked closely with the Grays Harbor Prosecutor's Office to reach a favorable outcome for the severity of the violations committed. Additionally, the Department will seek a lifetime hunting suspension based on the egregious nature of the crimes.

Charges for one additional subject have been filed and are pending.

WDFW Police works to protect the public's safety and to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.