People who use the Mars Hill Wildlife Management Area for recreational activities are fed up with people using it as an illegal dumping ground.
The outdoor recreation area, about 30 kilometers north-east of Selkirk is used for summer activities like berry picking, hiking and bird watching.
“I don't feel good at all. It makes me sick,” said Dan Mosquin who grew up in the area and likes to berry pick. “It seems to be getting worse all the time. There's more and more areas that seem to be piling up,” he said.
Mosquin said there are a handful of spots people have been using as dumping ground in and around Mars Hill trails.
He said he's too old to keep cleaning up after others but even younger people say they’re having trouble keeping up.
“Disgusting, frustrating, it's disappointing,” said Jodie Voth, president of the Brokenhead Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club. “There is certainly a larger group of us trying to make a positive difference than the group making a negative impact.”
Voth has organized clean-ups, and is sick about some of the litter being picked up, including bullet casings and even live rounds.
Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko would like to see the dumping stopped.
"It's the same as throwing garbage out the window. It's absolutely illegal," said Ewasko.
He took pictures of the trash five weeks ago and says he hoped it would be cleaned up by now.
"Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship is aware of this issue, and staff regularly patrol the area. Each spring a major cleanup is organized with volunteers and CWS staff,” reads a statement from the province.
Legally disposing of a truckload of household garbage at the local dump can cost as little as $25.
A full fee schedule and list of acceptable waste can be found at the RM of St Clements website.
People caught illegally dumping can be fined upwards of $200 dollars and Manitoba Conservation says illegal dumpers can be reported at 1-800-782-0076
