Cole R. Clark sentenced for poaching deer, elk; hunting privileges revoked

A Coeur d’Alene man received a sentence March 6 that strips him of hunting privileges for 17 years and orders immediate county jail time after admitting to illegally killing multiple deer and one elk in North Idaho. First District Judge Casey Simmons imposed a five-year prison term, made the defendant parole-eligible after three years, then suspended that sentence and ordered 60 days in Kootenai County jail, four years of supervised felony probation, 200 hours of community service, completion of an in-person hunter education course, and $6,750 in restitution plus additional fines and court costs.

The Coeur d’Alene Press identified the defendant as Cole R. Clark, 23, and reported Clark pleaded guilty in December to two counts of unlawfully killing wildlife within a 12-month period. Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers led the investigation into killings that prosecutors say occurred from September 2024 to November 2024 and that involved taking animals at night with artificial light, a method prohibited under state hunting regulations. KREM noted Idaho Fish and Game did not release the defendant’s name.

Prosecutor Monica Bushling, quoted in the Coeur d’Alene Press, told the court, "He showed no mercy and respect for the animals he killed," and added, "He was not doing it because he was desperate. He did it to do it." The Coeur d’Alene Press reported that Judge Simmons described the conduct as "frightening."

Court filings and local reporting provide additional operational detail: prosecutors said Clark offered paid guide and outfitting services without a license, organized two hunts for undercover Idaho Fish and Game officers by providing a campsite and transport to and from illegal bait sites, and left animals to waste after killing them. Those specifics come from Coeur d’Alene Press coverage and court materials cited by local outlets.

Idaho Fish and Game credited a tip to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline with helping investigators, noting public involvement was instrumental in the elk investigation. IDFG said, "Public involvement plays a critical role in ensuring Idaho’s fish and wildlife exists for future generations." Residents with information can call the CAP hotline at 1-800-632-5999 or contact the IDFG Panhandle Regional Office at (208) 769-1414; IDFG accepts reports by phone and online under its enforcement reporting options, and monetary rewards may be available for credible tips that lead to charges.

The sentence balances a suspended prison term with immediate local custody, financial restitution, and a long hunting-privilege revocation, reflecting both criminal penalties and administrative licensing consequences enforced by state wildlife authorities. Kootenai County prosecutors and IDFG officials say they will continue to pursue wildlife crimes, and the agencies encourage citizens to report suspicious hunting activity to the CAP hotline or the Panhandle office to aid enforcement and deter repeat offenses.