Man Faces Charges for Killing Bear on Red Lake Reservation

RED LAKE -- A Brainerd man is facing multiple charges for shooting and killing a black bear on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

40-year-old Brett Stimac is charged with misdemeanor wildlife trafficking and trespassing.

According to the criminal complaint, Stimac went to the Red Lake Indian Reservation on Sept. 1 with the intention of killing a bear. Using a compound bow, Stimac shot and killed a 700 lb. black bear near the reservation's garbage dump.

Because of the bear's size, Stimac removed the head and feet, along with a small amount of meat, and left the rest of the carcass on the reservation.

Officials say Stimac posed for photographs with the bear's carcass and shared the photos on Facebook the following day.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians does not permit non-Indians to hunt bear within the boundaries of the reservation due to the bear's spiritual significance. Stimac is not an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.

A court date for Stimac has not been scheduled.