3 hunters charged with baiting deer

WABASH COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) -- In the first hours of deer firearms season, three men were charged after admitting to Indiana conservation officers they were baiting deer with water softener pellets while hunting in Wabash County early Saturday morning.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources , when conservation officers found out about the violation through a tip, they raided the area near Lafontaine, Ind. by four-wheel drive trucks and ATVs.

Tony L. Baker of Waterloo, H. Brent Davis of Auburn and Bradley D. Schilling of Auburn were charged with one count each of hunting deer by aid of bait and surrendered their weapons.

Officers said they admitted to placing the bait in the field to lure deer to their hunting area. 

During the investigation, officers also found several other unoccupied baited stands in the area, which they believe were going to be hunted from at some point.

The hunters are scheduled to appear in Wabash Superior Court on December 5, 2011. 

Indiana Conservation Officers remind hunters that an area is considered baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait and any contaminated soil from the bait site.

Scents and lures are lawful to use however any substance that may be eaten by deer would be considered unlawful bait.

“Baiting deer is not a practice that conservation officers and ethical sportsmen should or will tolerate,” said investigating officers.

The regular deer firearms season is in until November 27th, 2011.