Two LaPorte County residents have been arrested on charges of illegally taking and possessing deer, the Law Enforcement Division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said..

Erik Perschke, 24, and Hugh Wozniak, 53, were each charged with two counts of that charge, a Class B misdemeanor.

According to a statement released today, conservation officers received a tip that two men were shooting deer on property at 2404 W. U.S. Highway 20. Officers were dispatched to the scene, where they found evidence that deer had been taken and were on the property in question.

Wozniak, the property owner, was located and questioned and he subsequently led officers to a garage where two field dressed deer were hanging from the rafters, the statement said.

The investigation later revealed that Perschke had shot the deer on the evening of Feb. 23 with Wozniak's 20-gauge shotgun, the statement said.

The season for taking deer with a shotgun ended on Nov. 29.

Wozniak’s shotgun was seized as were the two deer.

Perschke and Wozniak are subject to court cost and fines along with a $500 replacement fee for each of the deer, the statement said.

To report fish and game violations contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division TIP hotline at (800) TIP-IDNR .

Posted 3/5/2010