Two Montana men killed a mother grizzly bear over the weekend after officials said they charged them.

Whitefish's men were searching for hunting season in a dense forest near the Smokey Range Trailhead in the Flathead National Forest on Saturday when they unexpectedly came across the bear and her cub, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said Monday with a press release.

When the mother bear attacked them, the men shot her. One of the men was accidentally shot in the back of the shoulder and had to be treated in a hospital, the authorities said.

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Bear's death decided self-defense

Wildlife officials investigating the shooting determined that the mother bear's behavior appeared to be defensive and occurred because the men had surprised her.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classified the bear's death as self-defense.

According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, grizzly bears are currently listed as an endangered species in 48 states, meaning it is illegal to harm, harass or kill bears unless it is in self-defense or the defense of others. There are at least 1,923 grizzly bears in the 48 contiguous states.

No conflict story

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the grizzly bear has no history of conflict with humans and was tagged for population monitoring back in 2009. She was 25 years old.

The agency said it will continue to monitor the site in hopes of assessing the boy's health.

If the cub is doing well, it is better off remaining in the wild and “has a pretty good chance of survival,” said Greg Lemon, a spokesman for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

“If it looks healthy, we'll probably leave it,” he said, adding that other orphaned cubs in the area have survived without their mothers.

If the agency caught it, the cub would have to be taken to a zoo, and if no one could bear it, it would be euthanized, he said.

What should I do if I encounter a bear?

If you find yourself in bear territory, here are ways you can stay safe:

• Carry bear spray

• Travel in groups if possible

• Make casual noises to let the bears know you are nearby

• Stay away from animal carcasses as they attract bears

• If you encounter a bear, never approach it and leave the area if it is safe to do so.

• Never feed wildlife as bears that are habituated to food lose their natural foraging behavior and pose a threat to human safety. Additionally, it is illegal to feed bears in Montana.

• Watch out for signs of bears, such as: B. Feces, and use caution near streams and areas with reduced visibility

• Be aware that moose calls and cover smells can attract bears

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recommends on its website that people follow food storage guidelines in areas where bears are prevalent. It is extremely important to follow land management authorities' orders on food storage, the authority said.

If meat is left in the field, hang it at least 10 feet above the ground and at least 150 yards from the casing pile, the agency said. It's also a good idea to leave the meat where it will be visible from at least 200 yards away.

Be sure to observe the meat with binoculars as well, the agency said. If it has been disturbed or a bear is in the area, leave the area and call wildlife officials.

People in shelters should keep trash, bird feeders, pet food and other temptations to bears in a secure building. Trash should be secured or placed in a certified bear-proof container until the day of pickup.

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USA TODAY reporter Amanda Lee Myers contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Montana men kill attacking mother bear; The case decided on self-defense