Man Resentenced to Nearly 10 Years for Elk Poaching Spree

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A Grays Harbor County man named Richard Loren Pratt has been resentenced to more than nine years in prison for the illegal killing of multiple elk, marking what state officials say is the longest jail sentence for a big game case in Washington in at least a decade. Pratt, a convicted felon, previously pleaded guilty to unlawful hunting of big game, unlawful possession of a firearm, and wastage of wildlife.

Why it matters

Elk poaching is a serious environmental crime that can have significant impacts on local wildlife populations. The lengthy sentence handed down in this case sends a strong message about the consequences for such offenses and underscores the state's commitment to protecting its natural resources.

The details

In January 2023, authorities discovered five dead cow elk that had been shot with a high-powered rifle in an area closed to hunting, with no clear attempt to recover the meat. Wildlife officers and the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office spent months investigating before identifying Pratt as the suspect. He was later encountered near the scene with firearms, including one linked to the poaching. Pratt was initially sentenced to a mental health alternative in November 2025, but that arrangement was later revoked after he failed to comply with its conditions, leading to the new 116-month prison sentence.

• In January 2023, five cow elk were found dead on a hillside south of Cosmopolis.
• In November 2025, Pratt was initially sentenced to a mental health sentencing alternative.
• On March 27, 2026, Pratt was resentenced to 116 months in prison.