UTICA — A hunter was charged for taking an illegal second deer in the first two days of big game season in the Utica area, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Authorities said they received an anonymous tip that a hunter had killed a six-point buck on Nov. 19 and then a 10-point buck on Nov. 20, in the first two days of the Southern Zone regular big game season in Utica. Using only a first name and a picture, DEC officers were able to track down the hunter.

The hunter initially denied shooting the 10-point buck, then later admitted he killed the buck, drove it home and hid the carcass in a back shed, authorities stated. The deer was seized and the meat was donated to a local food pantry.

Officials said the hunter, whose identity was not released, was ticketed for illegally taking wildlife, taking over the limit of deer and illegal possession of wildlife.