Drone-Assisted Deer Hunt Sparks Legal Case and Debate in Indiana

April 27, 2026 – A high-profile hunting case in southern Indiana is raising new questions about technology, ethics, and fairness in the field after authorities confirmed a prized deer was tracked using a drone before being killed.

The case centers on a massive 17-point buck nicknamed the “Nucor Monarch,” a well-known animal frequently spotted near the Nucor steel fabrication plant. The deer had become something of a local legend among hunters and residents around Madison, Indiana.

When the buck was harvested on October 2—just one day into crossbow season—suspicions quickly surfaced. Witnesses reported seeing a drone tracking the deer in the weeks leading up to the hunt, prompting an investigation by conservation officers.

Authorities say evidence backed up those concerns. Drone flight logs, photos, and video obtained during the investigation showed the animal had been monitored extensively. Under Indiana law, using drones to track wildlife within 14 days of hunting season is prohibited.

Cousins Rodney and Eric Pettit were charged in the case. Rodney Pettit, who operated the drone and killed the deer, received 60 days of probation and lost his hunting license for a year. Eric Pettit entered a pretrial diversion program that could result in dismissal of his charges.

State officials emphasized that the case marks the first prosecution involving deer hunting under Indiana’s drone restrictions, originally enacted in 2016 and strengthened in 2024.

Investigating officer Josh Thomas said the technology allowed hunters to gather unusually precise information about the deer’s movements, undermining the principle of fair chase.

The deer’s antlers have since been confiscated and are expected to be displayed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as part of an anti-poaching education program.

Officials say the case has already prompted new tips about drone use in hunting, suggesting the issue may be more widespread than previously known.