RICHFORD, NY (607NewsNow) — Three Cortland County residents have admitted to illegally killing a deer.

Officers with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation say the trio shot an 11-point buck standing in their vehicle’s spotlight on Nov. 7 in the Tioga County town of Richford.

“A resident saw the spotlight, heard the shot, and contacted ECO Krueger from Tompkins County, who responded immediately to try and catch the poachers in the act, but the hunters had already fled the area by the time he arrived,” according to the DEC.

The deer was discovered near death the next day, and officers later tracked down the three people with the help of a social media post.

“The driver, who was also the shooter, received five tickets for the illegal take of deer, taking deer from a motor vehicle, taking deer from a public highway, hunting deer with an artificial light, and possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. The two other subjects received four tickets each for the illegal take of deer, taking deer from a motor vehicle, taking deer from a public highway, and hunting deer with an artificial light. Under New York State’s ECL, accessories are just as guilty as principals,” the DEC said.

“All three defendants pleaded guilty in the Town of Richford Court. The driver was fined $3,000 and his two hunting partners were each fined $2,000,” officials added.

In addition, they were ordered to surrender the weapon used in the crime.