A 72-year-old man in Montana shot and killed a grizzly bear after it attacked him while he was picking huckleberries near Columbia Falls on Thursday evening.

The man, who was hospitalized after the incident, fired a handgun at the bear, which charged at him.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) officials described the encounter as a “surprise defensive encounter” and confirmed the bear was killed.

They are now checking if the bear had any cubs, CNN has reported.

FWP emphasized the importance of avoiding bear conflicts by carrying bear spray and traveling in groups, as bear attacks are rare and usually occur when bears are protecting their space, food, or cubs.

Written by B.C. Begley