PEPPERELL, Mass. (WWLP) - A bow hunter illegally shot and killed a trophy class buck in Pepperell, the Massachusetts Environmental Police reported. The environmental police received an online complaint on November 7th which alleged someone had illegally taken a trophy class buck in Pepperell. An officer contacted the hunter who they believed was responsible for shooting the deer. They told the officer that they had killed the deer with a crossbow and provided information on where it was shot. Here’s when to take your turkey out of the freezer During the investigation, the environmental police used their tracking skills to locate the gut pile of the deer. The police say that due to the location, the hunter discharged/released the crossbow bolt from well within 500 feet of numerous houses, which is against the state's regulations. They called the hunter to meet them at the location where he was presented with the facts and he ultimately admitted to illegally shooting the deer there. He was issued a citation for five counts of hunting within 500’ of a dwelling in use. The man surrendered the 18-point antlers which will be used for educational purposes to show the cost of poaching a trophy animal, the environmental police said. The venison was donated to fish and game clubs. Archery season in Massachusetts Hunters who are licensed and have a stamp are allowed to use archery equipment from Oct. 7 to Nov. 30, 2024. Crossbows may only be used by certain permanently disabled persons with a permit. When hunting with archery equipment, you must be 150 feet from a roadway and 500 feet from any dwelling or building in use, according to state regulations. The shotgun season begins Dec. 2 and is through Dec. 14, 2024. Hunters cannot possess or discharge a loaded rifle or shotgun within 500 feet of a building or dwelling in use without the owner or occupant’s permission. Also, you cannot discharge a rifle or shotgun upon or across any state or hard-surfaced highway or within 150 feet of a highway. Local News Headlines Police seeking help locating 13-year-old runaway in Springfield Massachusetts man cited for illegally shooting 18-point buck with crossbow Video shows flames coming from dumpster on Myrtle Street in Springfield Springfield man died after officer-involved shooting WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.