CHATHAM — Three hunters were arrested Saturday after being accused of illegally killing eight bucks in Columbia County, according to the PBA of New York State, the union that represents the officers who made the arrests.

State Environmental Conservation Officer Jeff Cox received an anonymous tip on Saturday that a poacher had illegally shot a buck after dark on Friday evening. Cox and his partner, EnCon Officer James Davey, went to the alleged poacher's home to investigate and found him preparing several antlered deer for processing and display.

During an interview, the man admitted he had shot the two larger deer Friday night and did not tag a third he'd also killed, the PBA said in a Monday statement. The man also implicated two other men, the union said.

The officers seized eight bucks in total: one 10-point trophy, three 8-pointers, one 6-pointer, two 5-pointers and one spike.

The deer were killed by hunters who allegedly baited, stalked and shot the animals after dark with the aid of a light and night vision eyewear, the union said. The meat was donated to the Columbia County Hunters for the Hungry Program.

Three people were ticketed for various offenses and also charged with a total of 10 misdemeanors, which could carry a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, the PBA said. The three people, whose names were not released, are scheduled to appear in Chatham Town Court in January.

The arrests come weeks after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law that increases the penalties for the first offense of illegally taking deer and established penalties for repeat offenders. It was sponsored by state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner of Washington County and state Sen. Joseph Robach of Monroe County.

"Wildlife is held in trust by the State for all citizens to enjoy. Whitetails are the most popular game animal in North America," the legislation reads. "Too often individuals apprehended for deer poaching receive only a slap on the wrist."

The PBA of NYS has asked the state to increase the number of environmental conservation police officers. The union said there are currently 250 people on the force and each officer is responsible for about 200 square miles.

"Duties include enforcement of New York environmental conservation laws targeting the protection of our air as well as rivers, lakes and streams that threaten our water supplies," the union said. "They also play key roles in various homeland security measures such as radiation detection and maritime interdiction and other emergency response roles."