Minnesota Man Admits To Killing Trophy Bear Out Of Season

MORRISON COUNTY, MN — A Minnesota man was sentenced Wednesday after he admitted to killing a trophy black bear out of season.

Michael J. Thielen, 42, was ordered by the Morrison County District Court to serve two years of probation and must pay $1,485 in fees and fines.

As part of his guilty plea, these five other charges against him were dropped:

• Use Artificial Lights to Spot, Locate or Take Wild Animals - With Implements to Take Wild Animals
• Game and Fish - Wanton Waste; Big, Small, or Upland Game
• Hunting - Bear License Required - Taking Without a License
• Hunting - Bear License Required - Place Bait Without a License
• Hunting - Baiting Bears

In September 2021, a conservation officer received two anonymous tips about Thielen shooting and killing a bear out of season, according to the criminal complaint.

Thielen posted a picture of a large bear on Facebook and "indicated" the bear was shot on Sept. 3, 2021, according to investigators. Minnesota's bear hunting season begins in September.

Later, in an interview with officers, Thielen said he shot the bear in his backyard after setting out bird seed and donuts for bait, the complaint states.

Thielen admitted that the bear was actually killed in the early morning of July 28, out of season, authorities said. Thielen said his girlfriend woke him up at about 1 a.m. that morning to say that the bear was outside, according to the complaint.

Thielen said it was dark out but used a floodlight to illuminate his backyard, allowing him to easily see the bear, according to investigators. He shot the bear dead with a .270 rifle, authorities said.

Thielen said he wrapped the bear in plastic but when he returned from work, it was covered with bees, the complaint states.

He harvested between 50 to 60 pounds of meat off the bear before it became full of maggots, according to investigators. Ultimately, Thielen said he was able to process between 40 to 50 pounds of meat, the complaint states.

Thielen used a skid steer to put the rest of the bear in a dumpster, authorities said.

Officers recovered the bear skull, and a Boone and Crockett scoring agent confirmed that the bear had a score of over 20 and was considered a trophy bear, according to investigators.