STATE NEWS | Mount Pleasant — Luke Bryan knows that rain makes corn and corn makes whiskey but a still unknown hunter in Maury County got a little too frisky with the country music singer’s red stag last week. According to the Maury County Sheriff Department’s (MCSD) Facebook page, a hunter killed the red stag on Bryan’s private farm located just outside of Nashville. Bryan’s farm manager reported the incident and stated that the deer appeared to have been shot from the road.

Red Stag’s are not native to the U.S. They are native to Europe, the Caucasus Mountain region, Asia Minor, Iran, and parts of western and central Asia. They also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region and are the only species of deer to inhabit Africa.  They look very similar to an elk and can weigh from 500 to 750 pounds. Wildlife officials say the singer would have purchased the animal to live on his farm and their value is around $8,500. Reportedly, there is a second red stag still on the property.

Maury County law enforcement are still investigating the crime. It is illegal in Tennessee to shoot an animal on private property without the landowner’s permission. It is also illegal in Tennessee to hunt from or across a public road or right of way. Bryan is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information, should call MCSD at 931-388-5151. •

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