Updated 12/10/19

The Maury County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the unlawful hunting of a privately owned red stag in southern Maury County.

The department reports between Wednesday, December 4th and Friday December, 6th, an unknown individual or group of individuals shot and killed a red stag living on private property reportedly owned by country star Luke Bryan near Mt. Pleasant.

However, the TWRA or the local sheriff’s department could confirm the land or the stag were owned by the country music star.

Both the owner and the Maury County Sheriff’s Department are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing the animal, according to a statement from the department.

The state’s hunting regulations declare hunters and trappers must obtain permission from the landowners to use private property.

Tennessee law requires a person to have written permission from the landowner before hunting or trapping on privately owned lands, provided the land is posted in the manner prescribed by law.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency is assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information on the matter is encouraged to call the Maury County Sheriff’s Department at (931) 388-5151.