Posted on 01/12/2020 10:24:15 PM PST by nickcarraway
MINNEAPOLIS — A Brainerd man was charged Friday with federal misdemeanor counts of wildlife trafficking and trespassing on Indian lands after he allegedly shot and killed a bear on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, sawed off the bear’s head, and left most of the carcass behind.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Brett Stimac, 40, knowingly and willfully entered the reservation without permission on Sept. 1 to hunt a bear. Prosecutors said he used a compound bow to kill a large American black bear near the reservation’s garbage dump.
According to the charges, he returned to the reservation the next day with his girlfriend and posed for photos with the bear’s carcass. He posted the photos on Facebook, along with a post claiming the bear was more than 700 pounds.
Because of the bear’s size, Stimac could not move the bear from the reservation. He went back to the reservation on Sept. 3 and tried to remove the bear’s hide. When he coudln’t do that, he used a saw to remove the bear’s head and paws and harvested about 71 pounds of meat. He left the rest of the carcass and at least one paw behind, the charges said.
The bear is a clan animal for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, and the band does not permit non-Indians to hunt bear within the reservation’s boundaries due to the bear’s spiritual importance.
A working number for Stimac was not immediately available and he could not be reached for comment. He will make his initial appearance at a later date and it was not immediately clear if he has an attorney.
Stimac has several past convictions related to hunting violations, dating back to 1998. Records in state court show convictions for illegally transporting big game, deer hunting with bait and hunting or fishing without a proper license.
Dufus.
Impressive he was able to kill the bear with an arrow.
There are people that think they have the right to hunt anywhere they feel like. Believe me, I’ve encountered a few of them on my place.
Reservation land? Reservation law. I truly don’t know what agreements the tribe has with the US. IMO, their’s is the law to enforce.
Unnecessary kills of wild animals very much piss me off. would like to see this guy get a taste of his own morality.
Especially with so many previous violations.
Remove his thumbs.....
When hunting on Indian land you’ve got to use your brainerd.
It’s a clear Federal crime. Indian relations, to include boundary issues, are constitutionally a Federal Government responsibility. It is right an proper for this to be tried in a federal court.
This idiot trespassed across a reservation boundary and poached a tribally protected animal. He also thoughtfully provided evidence against himself in a public forum. I hope he gets a nice long sentence and a hefty fine.
I don’t understand cheating while hunting....its like cheating at solitaire.....what are you proving?
same.....
“Impressive he was able to kill the bear with an arrow.”
________________________________________________
He could have talked the bear to death and not impress me.
He trespassed, and in killing the bear stole from the Indian reservation.
It’s a shame.
Too bad he won’t be going to jail.
He’s one of those guys/gals who would yell like heck if his stuff is pilfered yet doesn’t have any self-control when it comes to the belongings of others.
Isn’t Brainerd Elwood P. Suggins home town? I believe be used to work at the cement factory according to Jonathon Winters.
Also, his girlfriend is stupid as a stone (no disrespect to stones, here).
She showed ignorance as well.
So glad I’m not a prosecutor. I’d be combing the books looking for something to charge her with, as stupidity is not a criminal act.
Sigh.
[He could have talked the bear to death and not impress me.]
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