Two men's hunt for a big buck ended with them facing charges of illegally killing a deer and leaving its decapitated body in a field.

The state Division of Natural Resources says Heath Foster and Terry Pumphery were charged following an investigation prompted by reports of gunfire near a Rock Cave residence.

DNR Conservation Capt. Mike Pizzino says the two 32-year-old men face multiple charges stemming from the animal's slaying.

Pizzino says the investigation shows the large buck had been spotlighted and then shot. Investigators later recovered the animal's head.

The shooting occurred earlier this month. West Virginia's guns hunting season for bucks doesn't start until November 24.