Martinsville man arrested for shooting deer illegally
Indiana Conservation Officers have arrested and jailed Bradley Ferran, 44, Martinsville, for possession of an illegal whitetail deer.
Ferran was bow hunting on a friend's property when a large buck walked past that he reportedly could not resist shooting.
Ferran shot the deer without having first obtained an archery deer license, authorities said. After he killed the deer, Ferran then purchased a license and checked in the deer.
Conservation Officers became interested in the deer when pictures began circulating on cell phones because of the size of its rack. Due to the stir the deer was causing, officers wanted to verify the deer was legal.
A quick check of phone records, check station log books and key interviews led investigators to believe Ferran had taken the deer before he bought his license.
Conservation Officers want to remind all hunters that it is unlawful to hunt before purchasing a license. As the current hunting season winds down, officers will continue to search for deer and other wildlife that are taken illegally.