LA GRANDE, Ore. — A La Grande man was attacked by a bear near the Mount Emily Recreation Area during the early morning hours of May 24.

Just after 7:30 a.m., the 911 Communication Center received a call that a bear had attacked a person on Owsley Canyon Road, according to a press release from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The victim was Craig Lankford, of La Grande, according to ODFW. He was transported to Grande Ronde Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

“We are grateful Mr. Lankford survived this encounter and wish him a smooth and speedy recovery,” ODFW Watershed Manager Jeff Yanke said.

Lankford encountered the bear the previous evening when he shot the bear for harassing his chickens, according to the press release. He went out the next morning to search for the bear and again found it near his property. Lankford shot the bear again and shortly afterward the bear attacked him.

Union County Sheriff’s deputies and medical services arrived on scene at the same time, according to ODFW. Upon arrival the Union County Sheriff’s Office closed the roads and the Mount Emily Recreation Area.

Oregon State Police and ODFW were then notified. Both agencies quickly arrived on scene and created a search plan for the bear. The United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services also provided assistance.

Shortly before 10:45 a.m. a bear that matched the victim’s description was found near the site of the attack, according to the press release. The bear was euthanized and bullet fragments consistent with the victim’s report later confirmed it was the one involved in the attack.

Oregon is home to between 25,000 to 30,000 bears, according to ODFW. While bear attacks are rare, they tend to occur when bears are wounded, when they are being fed by people and lose their natural wariness, or when they are surprised by people or their dogs.

Wounded bears can be dangerous. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is aware of at least three incidents where hunters were attacked by bears they shot, but did not kill. Oregon has not documented any fatal bear attacks.

ODFW encourages everyone recreating outdoors or living in bear country to take simple steps to reduce the risk of bear encounters and conflict.