Texas Parks and Wildlife is continuing its investigation into two related poaching incidents in the Shady Oaks Neighborhood off Thousand Oaks Drive.

"The Game Warden's are now involved, and evidently somebody has driven into the subdivision and illegally shot two whitetail deer with a bow and arrow," said Captain Michael Morse, a Game Warden with Texas Parks and Wildlife.

A San Antonio Police Officer had to euthanize the second deer on Sunday in order to keep it from suffering from an arrow that had pierced through its neck.

The Game Wardens have heard reports of a person hunting in the neighborhood out of their black pick-up truck, but Captain Morse says that's all hearsay as the investigation is still ongoing.

This isn't the first time Texas Parks and Wildlife has encountered poaching in a neighborhood pre-hunting season. In fact, some poachers kill large bucks that roam openly in these suburban neighborhoods where they get fed, and cut off their heads for trophies, leaving the caucuses behind.

"The one's that have been shot previous to the season this year I believe, based on information, no heads have been removed as of the ones that happened last week," said Captain Morse.

If caught, the poacher could face anywhere from a Class C Misdemeanor to a State Jail Felony Charge, along with related fines.

"Not only are the violations severe, but also you know Game Wardens we have to think about the safety factor in these subdivisions. If an arrow is released from a bow and possibly goes into a structure or a house, that's concerns that we have too," said Captain Morse.

Anyone with information regarding these poachings is asked to call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-729-GAME or the Texas Parks and Wildlife office in San Antonio at (210) 348-7375.

By: Marissa A. Wagner