Elk herd at Carnation Farms | Instagram
In the quiet pastures of Washington’s Snoqualmie Valley, yet another violation of trust and law unfolded under the cover of darkness. The brazen poaching of a cow elk on Carnation Farms property in September has not only disrupted the farm's delicate balance with its resident wildlife but also thrust a Lynnwood man into the legal crosshairs of King County prosecutors.
Carnation Farms, a 818-acre cornerstone of regenerative agriculture in Carnation, Washington, has long embodied harmony between human endeavor and natural rhythms. Founded in 1908 by Carnation Milk Company magnate Elbridge A. Stuart, the property remains a USDA-certified organic haven, blending 100+ acres of vegetable and herb fields with pasture-raised livestock, including 16 chicken breeds and resilient sheep and cattle.
In addition to the livestock, this verdant expanse also shelters a portion of the valley's 150–200 Roosevelt elk, all of which were reintroduced in 1913 from Yellowstone National Park. Given the herd's visibility as they openly graze on the farm's hay fields, these large-antlered ungulates do a great job of drawing the gaze from ethical hunters and nature lovers alike, but have also proven to tempt opportunists too. The farm recently relinquished its game reserve status to partner with permitted hunters for balanced population control, emphasizing stewardship over exploitation. Yet, as one farm worker lamented, "The taking of the life of an animal should always lead back to that animal being properly utilized for food"—a principle that was shattered earlier this fall.
Making a break for it at the farm | Instagram
Under a moonless September sky, two men from Lynnwood managed to breach the farm's perimeter, all while ignoring glaring no-trespassing signs. Armed with a crossbow rigged with an illegal thermal scope, they spotted a lone cow elk in the open pastures.
The bolt struck true, felling the animal outside legal hunting hour and thus kicked off a frantic bid to evade detection. Under the cover of darkness, the pair quartered the carcass, salvaged the meat, and concealed the remains and weapon in nearby brush before slipping away. Fortunately for investigators, their haste left traces including blood trails, boot prints, and the distinctive glow of thermal tech that tipped off vigilant patrols.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers, led by Capt. Jennifer Maurstad, zeroed in swiftly. Routine surveillance and a tip from the farm's monitoring, bolstered by the site's history as a poaching magnet, guided them to the scene the next morning. Evidence recovery was methodical as officers were soon able to recover the crossbow and scope, the hidden quarters, and even some forensic links to the suspects' vehicle.
"They took great lengths to conceal the crime," Maurstad said. "The elk had already been harvested and quartered, and the meat was hidden along with the crossbow that they had used."
The arrests came hours later as WDFW had both men in custody, their alibis crumbling under physical evidence. The primary suspect, a Lynnwood resident whose name remains withheld pending full proceedings, was fingered as the shooter. His companion faced initial scrutiny but dodged charges, as prosecutors deemed insufficient direct involvement in the kill.
Charges against the lead poacher crystallized quickly and officers are planning for a pair of gross misdemeanors including unlawful hunting while trespassing on private property and hunting outside authorized hours, each carrying potential fines up to $5,000 and jail time of up to a year. Each violation compounds with wildlife-specific penalties, including license revocation and restitution for the elk's value (often $5,000 or more for a mature cow).
"Trespass poaching isn't just a wildlife crime; it's a direct threat to hardworking farmers," a spokesperson noted, echoing Maurstad's concerns about armed intruders clashing with field operations.
"I want people to know that we're always watching," she said. "The public is instrumental in helping us do our job."
The suspect's arraignment is currently scheduled for Dec. 8th.
