A 72-year-old man out picking huckleberries alone in Flathead National Forest in Montana had to shoot a grizzly bear dead with a handgun after it attacked him.

The bear, an adult female, attacked the man Thursday evening. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks didn’t name the man or specify his injuries in its release Friday.

The man, who lives near the site of the attack, was helped to the hospital by a family member, FWP spokesman Dillon Tabish told the Missoulian.

The shooting was ruled by FWP to be in self-defense against a surprise attack, and officials are investigating whether any cubs were present or are still in the area.

“Depending on the age, we might leave them in the wild because they have a better chance of survival rather than have to euthanize them,” Mr. Tabish told The Associated Press.

The victim wasn’t carrying bear spray at the time of the attack, Mr. Tabish told the Missoulian. FWP recommends always having the spray in the Montana wilderness, which hosts grizzly and black bears.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.