Police in Austria are investigating after a disgruntled hunter placed six impaled deer scalps at the family home of the local hunting council’s chief.

Investigators in Scharnstein, Upper Austria, said a 57-year-old from nearby Gmunden headed to the local police station accompanied by his lawyer to admit the actions on Thursday (12th January).

According to police spokesman Michael Mitterhofer, the suspect had been at loggerheads with the council director over recently imposed regulations.

Mr Mitterhofer added: “He eventually decided to hand himself in due to the extensive coverage by local and federal media.”

The offender reportedly argued he had not wanted to harm or scare anyone but “issue a warning” to the head of the local council for hunting.

He used metal spears to arrange the six red deer (Cervus elaphus) skulls in the front garden of the hunting council chief’s private property on the night of 5th January.

The man – whose name has been withheld due to Austria’s strict privacy regulations – now faces charges over what could be legally considered dangerous threats.

The Association of Hunters in Upper Austria branded his actions as “indecent and disrespectful” but did not say whether the offender would be dismissed.

State prosecutors in Wels are investigating.