Jail Time for Braggadocious Elk Poacher in Washington State

A Washington State man has been sentenced to 29 months in state prison, a $4,000 fine, and a two-year suspension of his hunting privileges for his role in the death of at least two bull elk.

It was the opening day of the 2022 rifle season when another hunter came across the accused, 28-year-old Randolph “Randy” Cox, who was experiencing some car trouble. While the good samaritan helped out, Cox couldn’t resist telling the story of his recent kill. Stating that the hunting was much better the day before the opener, he went on to tell the fellow hunter about how he opened fire on a herd of elk and dropped a spike in the process.

After leaving Cox, the concerned hunter alerted WDFW about his chance meeting with Cox, and the dead spike. After describing Cox and his vehicle, officers immediately recognized the suspect, having encountered him during another incident earlier that year. Officers responded to the last known whereabouts of Cox, but were unable to locate him.

It wasn’t long before another hunter recognized Cox’s vehicle and made the call. Officers responded and made contact with Cox who now had a group of individuals with him inside the vehicle on a property they did not have permission to access. 

Inconsistent stories soon followed and before long, Cox admitted to shooting indiscriminately at an elk herd and retrieving a spike bull, which was illegal for the season. Officers also located a four-by-four elk that the group had killed and let go to waste.

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. 

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