Grizzly charge hunter until he shoots it, officials say. Now the search for bear

A bird hunter shot a charging male grizzly bear in Montana, officials said.

Now wild animals are searching for the injured animal.

The hunter was walking along rows of plants when the bear appeared and started running toward him Sept. 12 near Fairfield, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in a news release.

Once the animal was 15 meters away, the hunter shot the bear twice with his shotgun, wildlife officials said. The bear was hit “at least once”.

Then it ran away.

The uninjured hunter reported the incident, and the wildlife agency began investigating the area on foot and with drones.

Wildlife officers also searched for the bear by helicopter the following day, covering 4 square miles. They couldn’t find it.

It’s likely the bear left the immediate area, officials said. But they still warn the public to be careful, as the bear may be hiding in abandoned buildings or in thick brush.

Fairfield is about 90 kilometers north of Helena.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the US are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears try to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

• Identify yourself: Speak calmly and swing your arms slowly. This can help the bear realize that you are a human and not a threat.

• Keep calm: Bears usually do not want to attack; they want to be left alone. Speak slowly and in a low voice to the bear.

• Don’t cry: Screaming could trigger an attack.

• Picking up small children: Do not let children run away from the bear. It could be thought that they are small prey.

• Hike in groups: A group is louder and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

• Make yourself big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Do not make sudden movements.

• Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

• Go away slowly: Move sideways so you look less threatening to the bear. This also allows you to keep an eye on it.

• Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

• Do not climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.