(Metamora, Ind.) - A Franklin County couple is accused of illegally taking a whitetail deer.

Indiana Conservation Officers received a tip that a buck was shot with a gun recently. That’s a problem because Indiana’s firearms season does not begin until November 17.

The hunters – Myles Henninger and Rikki Reynolds, both of Metamora – claimed that the deer was shot with a crossbow. Indiana's deer archery season began October 1 and runs through January 6.

“The officers went to the couple’s residence and their investigation revealed that the buck had indeed been shot with a .243 caliber rifle and then shot again with the crossbow in an attempt to cover up the violation,” said Conservation Officer Andy Crozier.

Henninger and Reynolds have both been arrested. Reynolds was cited for the illegal taking of the deer and for the use of an illegal device, the rifle, to take a deer. Henninger was also charged with the illegal possession of the buck.

Conservation officers want to remind Indiana sportsmen to call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources tip line at 1-800-TIP-IDNR if they witness a hunting, fishing or pollution violation.