Five moose were illegally killed earlier this month north of Pine Falls.

Earl Simmons is Regional Field Supervisor for Manitoba Sustainable Development in the Eastern region. He says the five animals were killed sometime between February 16th and 20th along Provincial Road 304, north of Pine Falls.

(Photo credit: Province of Manitoba)Simmons says there is no moose hunting allowed in Game Hunting Area 26 because of low moose numbers. It has been closed to hunters since 2012. He notes there is also no hunting allowed along provincial highways, yet it has been determined that each moose was killed within 75 metres of a highway.

He explains the animals were harvested and by evidence collected from the scene, it has been determined that at least three of the five moose were female. According to Simmons, a female moose can produce well over 10 moose per decade. That means that area is losing the potential for at least 30 moose and that doesn't take into consideration the fact some of the moose babies will one day have babies of their own.

Simmons says this incident is discouraging because the people of that area have been taking the hunting restriction seriously. And now, a few individuals have chosen not to respect the closure.

Those responsible could face a penalty of well over $5,000 per animal, plus losing their equipment and possibly losing their vehicle.

Anyone who may have travelled in that area during those dates and seen something suspicious is asked to contact either the Pine Falls District Office at 204-367-6130 or the Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-782-0076.