Nov 21, 2012 2 min read

Two University of Iowa wrestlers were suspended from the team Wednesday after they admitted to illegally hunting rabbits on campus in hopes of making rabbit-skin caps, according to police.

Alex Meyer and Connor Ryan, both freshmen, were arrested Tuesday night after a security officer saw two men, including one with a long gun, near the nursing building, according to an incident report. Officers later found the two in Hillcrest Residence Hall and discovered rabbit skins in Meyer’s dormitory.

Meyer and Ryan each admitted to hunting with friends on campus using air rifles, which typically discharge pellets or BBs. Each explained that they went hunting Saturday and again Tuesday because they wanted “to make hats,” according to criminal complaints filed against them.

They killed an unspecified number of rabbits and police seized at least two air rifles, which are not allowed on campus, associate director of public safety David Visin said.

Meyer and Ryan were both charged with violating a municipal code by discharging air rifles within city limits, a simple misdemeanor punishable with anywhere from a $65 fine to 30 days in jail; and cited for violating a state law that bans hunting after dark, which carries a $93 fine. Meyer was also cited for hunting without a license, a $100 infraction.