An accused deer poacher learned his fate late last week as court proceedings against him came to a conclusion in what has been described as the largest poaching cases ever in the state of Washington.

Jason Bradley Hutt, 29, was sentenced to more than three years in prison following an Alford plea to five counts of unlawful hunting of big game animals and single counts of wanton waste of game, illegal hunting of wild birds and possession of methamphetamine. It is believed that Hutt is the first person to be sentenced to prison following a poaching conviction in the state of Washington.

According to an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit guilt but does admit there is enough evidence to support a conviction.

According to published reports, Hutt told Judge Brian Coughenour, “I’m here to man up. What I did was wrong. I’m here to deal with it.”

Hutt was arrested and charged with killing bear, deer and elk in Clallam and Jefferson counties in 2018. He was previously charged with 24 counts of poaching in Clallam County and two counts in Jefferson County, and he also faces charges in Jefferson County. An alleged accomplice, 24-year-old Wyatt James Beck, has also been charged in connection with some of the incidents.

Investigators found more than 40 sets of antlers and skulls at Hutt’s home. In addition to the jail time, he was levied more than $6,000 in fines.

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