SYRACUSE – Indiana Conservation Officers recently arrested Tracy Coates, 38, of Syracuse, for multiple deer hunting violations in Kosciusko County.
Indiana Conservation Officer Nathan Hooley received information on Jan. 2 at approximately 9:45 p.m. that Coates had just shot at a large buck deer from the roadway in the area of Bowser Road and CR 375E.
Coates did not have permission to hunt the land where the buck was located. Hooley was confident that Coates would be returning later in the evening to retrieve the deer.
Hooley began patrolling the area and observed Coates’ vehicle near the scene around 11 p.m.
Hooley was assisted at the scene by Indiana Conservation Officer Dustin Whitehead and officers from Syracuse Police Department.
Hooley and Whitehead observed two men walking in the cornfield a short time later and acting as if they were looking for the deer.
Hooley confronted Coates in the cornfield and Coates initially told Hooley he was looking for a deer his girlfriend had struck with a car.
Upon further questioning Coates admitted to shooting the buck deer from the roadway.
Coates stated he and his girlfriend had observed the deer while driving home from a nearby friendsí house. Coates then dropped off his girlfriend and returned to the area with his muzzleloader rifle. He found the deer again and rolled down his window and shined his spotlight on the deer with one hand while he rested his gun on his window and shot at the deer with the other.
Coates then returned home and called a friend to help him retrieve the deer. The friend was not charged in this case. Coates admitted to having already harvested an antlered deer this season therefore his attempt to take another antlered deer put him in violation of the one buck rule per season. Coatesí fish and wildlife criminal record indicates he has prior convictions for similar offenses in 2001 and 2004. Hooley charged Coates with six misdemeanor violations and seized his muzzleloader and spotlight for evidence.
Hooley and Whitehead could not locate the deer that evening however they did observe blood and evidence indicating Coates had hit the deer.
Officers returned the next morning and located the buck. The buck was still alive and able to run away from the officers enough that it was not necessary to put the deer down.
It is hoped the deer will recover from its’ wounds. Hooley said that violations such as this are both dangerous to the public and more often than not result in wounded deer not being recovered.
If you observe a violation call your local law enforcement department or the Turn In a Poacher line at 1-800-TIP-IDNR.
