On November 11, 2017 Indiana Conservation Officer Corporal Eric Doane was contacted by an anonymous caller about multiple whitetail deer that had been shot illegally. Cpl. Doane conducted a series of interviews with multiple individuals, and was able to determine that Brook N. Hawkins, 26 of Shoals, had shot and killed three whitetail bucks within a period of 48 hours.
On November 10, 2017 between the hours of midnight and 2:00 AM Mr. Hawkins was searching for deer from a motor vehicle with a spotlight. A group of three deer were located and Mr. Hawkins shot a large 9 point buck from the motor vehicle with a .204 Ruger rifle and the aid of a spotlight. They then left the area and returned to get the deer hours later.
On November 11, 2017 between the hours of midnight and 3:00 AM Mr. Hawkins was in a burgundy Ford truck driven by Brandon Clifton, 27 of Loogootee. Mr. Hawkins located a buck deer with a spotlight, and shot it from the vehicle. When the buck dropped Mr. Hawkins ran into the field, cut off the head, and left the body lying in the field.
It was also found that on November 11, 2017 at approximately 6:00PM Mr. Hawkins was in a vehicle driven by Brandon Clifton. Mr. Hawkins located a buck standing in a field and shot it with a .204 Ruger rifle. The deer was not retrieved.
Brook Hawkins was jailed and charged with the following:
- Hunting Deer by Illegal Method
- Illegal Taking-Possession of Whitetail Deer
- Use of Artificial light to Take Deer
- Hunting Deer with the Aid of a Motor Vehicle
- False Informing
Brandon Clifton is being charged with the following: - Illegal Taking-Possession of Whitetail Deer
- Use of Artificial light to Take Deer
- Hunting Deer with the Aid of a Motor Vehicle
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
