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oucorry · 12-12-2008

Norman man charged with killing deer in pen
BY ED GODFREY
Published: December 12, 2008

A Norman man who has been featured in an Oklahoma magazine for his bow hunting prowess is now accused of shooting a domestic breeder buck deer in a pen.

Justin Ray McDaniel, 24, was charged Wednesday in Oklahoma County District Court with grand larceny of exotic livestock, a domestic white-tailed deer, and making a false statement at a hunter check station.

The breeder buck was killed at the Chain Whitetail Ranch, a deer breeding facility in southeast Oklahoma City.

The buck was on loan to the ranch so it could be bred to does. It was arrowed in the pen and dragged away last month.

The buck would appraise between $60,000 and $80,000, according to its owner.

Straws of semen from the animal will sell for as much as $1,500 each, according to the affidavit of Oklahoma City police officer Jeff White.

During the police investigation, photos were obtained showing McDaniel inside a shed posing with the dead buck. The animal was recovered by Oklahoma game wardens acting on a tip.

McDaniel checked the buck in at a hunter check station, claiming he killed it in Pottawatomie County, the affidavit states.

McDaniel’s attorney, Charles Rouse, told police that McDaniel admitted going onto the property, thinking that it was "regular agriculture land,” White’s affidavit states.

McDaniel believed he was legally hunting, Rouse told The Oklahoman.

The land was not properly posted for no trespassing or no hunting, Rouse said.

There was only one no trespassing sign on the land, and McDaniel did not see it, he said.

"If he had hung out more than one sign, the deer would be alive today,” Rouse said.

Rouse also disputes that the buck was shot in a pen.

"It was not like it was in a small pen,” he said. "It was like a pasture-sized pen.”

Mike Chain, owner of the ranch, said the buck was in a pen that was 150 feet by 100 feet wide and the property has six signs posted around it.

"He had to go through six pens to get to him (the buck),” Chain said.

Police say McDaniel has a record of hunting and game violations in New Mexico.

Earlier this year, McDaniel was featured in Oklahoma Game & Fish magazine for killing a Pope & Young buck in Oklahoma County during the 2008 bow season.

12-12-2008	#1 (permalink)
oucorry Administrator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Blanchard, ok Posts: 1,125 Images: 7	Wasn't Me Norman man charged with killing deer in pen BY ED GODFREY Published: December 12, 2008 A Norman man who has been featured in an Oklahoma magazine for his bow hunting prowess is now accused of shooting a domestic breeder buck deer in a pen. Justin Ray McDaniel, 24, was charged Wednesday in Oklahoma County District Court with grand larceny of exotic livestock, a domestic white-tailed deer, and making a false statement at a hunter check station. The breeder buck was killed at the Chain Whitetail Ranch, a deer breeding facility in southeast Oklahoma City. The buck was on loan to the ranch so it could be bred to does. It was arrowed in the pen and dragged away last month. The buck would appraise between $60,000 and $80,000, according to its owner. Straws of semen from the animal will sell for as much as $1,500 each, according to the affidavit of Oklahoma City police officer Jeff White. During the police investigation, photos were obtained showing McDaniel inside a shed posing with the dead buck. The animal was recovered by Oklahoma game wardens acting on a tip. McDaniel checked the buck in at a hunter check station, claiming he killed it in Pottawatomie County, the affidavit states. McDaniel’s attorney, Charles Rouse, told police that McDaniel admitted going onto the property, thinking that it was "regular agriculture land,” White’s affidavit states. McDaniel believed he was legally hunting, Rouse told The Oklahoman. The land was not properly posted for no trespassing or no hunting, Rouse said. There was only one no trespassing sign on the land, and McDaniel did not see it, he said. "If he had hung out more than one sign, the deer would be alive today,” Rouse said. Rouse also disputes that the buck was shot in a pen. "It was not like it was in a small pen,” he said. "It was like a pasture-sized pen.” Mike Chain, owner of the ranch, said the buck was in a pen that was 150 feet by 100 feet wide and the property has six signs posted around it. "He had to go through six pens to get to him (the buck),” Chain said. Police say McDaniel has a record of hunting and game violations in New Mexico. Earlier this year, McDaniel was featured in Oklahoma Game & Fish magazine for killing a Pope & Young buck in Oklahoma County during the 2008 bow season.