Last year in Ohio my hunting buddy got popped in almost the exact same style. He was hunting on Private land (you dont have to buy a tag but you have to write one up) and he dragged the deer back to his shed. He rushed out to go bowling in his league and did not write up a tag for the deer. When he got home there was a note on his door to contact the game warden immediatly. He went out to the shed and the deer was gone. He called the next morning and was issued a citation. Apparently a neighbor called and told the game warden he had shot the deer with a rifle (illegal in Ohio). He had to go to court, with an attorney($700), he was lucky he got the lawyer because they were able to get pictures to prove he did not shot it with a gun but with a cross bow(legal) He did not plead ignorance but he did admit to his mistake and had a few of us vouche for his character. He checked in a great number of deer in the past with no problems and he had permanent tags to prove it.
He was fined $1500 but he did not lose his equipment or his hunting privlages which is pretty common from what we where told.
1. Get a lawyer
2. Admit the mistake (ignorant or not)
3. Try to plea bargain before you have to go to court

I hope this helps.