The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) said that it was holding some of the squirrels as evidence pending a court adjudication.

According to an MDC Facebook post on Tuesday, locals spotted the non-residential squirrel hunters “in and around the Current River Conservation Area”—29,000 acres of Ozark forest commonly used for hunting, wildlife viewing, fishing, etc.

The group had been hunting for two days, and in that time, harvested 471 squirrels; however, this number exceeded the legal harvest limit by 151.

“Missouri regulations allow for the daily harvest of 10 squirrels and a possession limit of two daily limits for a total of no more than 20 squirrels in possession for each person,” MDC said in the post.

“Missouri regulations also require that all game be separate and identifiable to each hunter,” the post continued.

A graphic photo attached to the post showed the squirrels gathered in small piles, but there does not appear to be any tags and/or labels identifying which piles belong to each of the hunters.

The open season for squirrel hunting in Missouri started in May and runs through February 15. To participate, hunters must have the appropriate permits and comply with the state’s approved hunting methods. Accepted methods for small game and squirrel hunting include crossbows, pistols and caged traps.

Traps must be appropriately labeled, checked on daily and have an opening of 144 square inches or smaller.

Of course, hunters must also comply with the state’s possession limits.

MDC stated that “multiple” hunters had been arrested, though they did not give an exact number. All 16 hunters were cited for “possession of overlimit of squirrels,” and the excess 151 squirrels were also taken and are being held as evidence pending court adjudication.

Locals are encouraged to call MPC and report any possible violations of wildlife law.

“Thank you concerned citizens for the tip. Absolutely disgusting,” said one Facebook commenter. “[H]ope MDC threw the book at them.”

“Excellent work,” added the Missouri Conservation Agents Association.

“Daily and possession limits are in place to help maintain wildlife populations at harvestable levels so that everyone has an opportunity now and in the future to pursue wildlife,” they continued. “Without them, localized or even statewide populations of wildlife would certainly plummet.”