Skip to main content

Indiana Road Poacher Sentenced; Wins "Stupidest Question of the Year" Award

Indiana Road Poacher Sentenced; Wins "Stupidest Question of the Year" Award
A trail cam photo of Ward's poached deer. Photo from the Indianapolis Star.

There are no stupid questions. We've all probably heard your mother utter this phrase at some point.

Unfortunately, it seems that Donald Ward might have just proved your mom wrong.

Ward, of Brownsburg, Ind., recently plead guilty to three misdemeanor counts for poaching a 10-point buck from the road. Not only did he poach the massive buck from the road at night and out of season, Ward also used a .270, which is not permitted even during rifle season.

When finally confronted by Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officer Jeff Wells after his arrest, Ward asked the now infamous question: "If I admit I killed it, can I keep the rack?"

No, genius, you do not get to keep the rack. Ward also told the Indianapolis Star in an interview after his arrest that he was so overcome by the size of the deer he couldn't stop himself from shooting it.

The sad thing is that the state offered a plea bargain erasing any jail time or felony charges, reducing the sentence to 178 days of probation and 80 hours of community service. There ought to be a felony charge just for asking a question that stupid.


Despite what we've been told, there are stupid questions because there are stupid people. For helping us see this truth yet again, we at Petersen's not-so-proudly present Ward with the "Stupid Question of the Year" Award.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

The Truth About Thermal Optics

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

Introducing the Savage 110 Trail Hunter

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

CZ Shadow 2: Competition Ready Right Out of the Box!

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

The Ultimate Truck and Trail Gun

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Hunting

The Golden Triangle

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

Cleaning Up for Ultimate Season Success

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

Packing Protein for Western Hunting Trails

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

Browning X-Bolt Speed: Lightweight & Accurate for Backcountry Hunting

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Hunting

A Boy's First Whitetail Hunt

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

Steiner Optics Predator Series

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

Introducing the Burris Veracity PH

Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus In...
Gear

Taurus Raging Hunter

Petersen's Hunting Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save.

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Petersen's Hunting App

Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Petersen's Hunting stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now