Indiana hunter charged with illegally killing giant buck

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana man who told authorities he fatally shot a giant buck because he was enamored of its size is charged in the deer’s death.

The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/Se8iza ) 47-year-old Don Ward faces a felony charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and three misdemeanors in the shooting of the buck nicknamed “Nightmare” for its size and elusiveness.

A probable cause affidavit says the 10-point buck weighing nearly 300 pounds was found dead Oct. 2 near Eagle Creek Park. The property owner spotted a man later identified as Ward and alerted authorities.

Deer hunters can’t use firearms in Indiana until mid-November.

Ward could face a $10,000 fine and up to three years in prison if convicted on the felony count.

No phone listing was available for Ward.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.