A 23-year-old Coeur d’Alene resident has been sentenced to jail time and a lengthy revocation of hunting privileges following a two-month illegal hunting rampage in late 2024 that prosecutors and a judge described as a “killing spree.”
Cole R. Clark pleaded guilty back in December to a pair of felony counts of unlawfully killing wildlife within a 12-month period. The charges stemmed from incidents that took place between September and November 2024, during which Clark illegally killed multiple deer and at least one elk.
According to court records and reports from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Clark employed prohibited methods including spotlighting and illegal baiting sites to attract game. He also reportedly wasted edible portions of the animals, leaving meat to spoil rather than utilizing it responsibly.
In what is perhaps the most egregious aspect of the case, Clark went as far as posing as a guide and charged fees to lead illegal hunts. Unfortunately for our young man, he ended up organizing and conducting two such hunts specifically for undercover IDFG conservation officers. During these operations, he provided camping sites and transportation to and from baited locations, allowing officers to directly observe and document violations.
As like many of these cases, the investigation began with a tip submitted to Idaho’s Citizens Against Poaching hotline, once again highlighting the critical role public reports play in enforcing wildlife laws. Once they were tipped off, conservation officers built the case through surveillance, undercover work, and evidence gathering, although the total number of animals illegally killed was not disclosed.
On Friday of last week, First District Judge Casey Simmons handed down the sentence in Kootenai County District Court. Calling Clark’s actions “frightening” and “deviant,” the judge noted a complete lack of mercy or respect for the animals and emphasized that Clark appeared driven not by necessity but by a desire to continue the behavior unchecked.
“He showed no mercy and respect for the animals he killed,” prosecuting attorney Monica Bushling stated during proceedings. “He was not doing it because he was desperate. He did it to do it.”
The judge expressed relief that Clark was apprehended, stating he “wasn’t going to stop” otherwise, and stressed that hunting in Idaho is a privilege, not a right—one that such wasteful and illegal conduct forfeits.
For his actions, Clark received a five-year prison sentence (with parole eligibility after three years), which was suspended. He was ordered to serve 60 days in jail, followed by four years of supervised felony probation. His hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges were revoked for 17 years, until he reaches age 40.
Additional penalties included $6,750 in restitution to cover replacement costs for the illegally taken wildlife, other fines and court costs, 200 hours of community service, and completion of a mandatory hunter education course.
In court, Clark expressed remorse, stating he deeply regretted his decisions, had no excuse, and had strayed from the values of his upbringing. Judge Simmons acknowledged this accountability as a sign of potential rehabilitation.
“Public involvement plays a critical role in ensuring Idaho’s fish and wildlife exists for future generations,” a statement from Idaho Fish and Game read. “The investigation into the unlawful taking of the elk in this case was aided by a call from a member of the public to the CAP hotline.”
