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The normally docile black bear (like the one in this file photo by Ben Schrader's auto camera) can be a dangerous animal when cornered.

The bear attack took place during a bear hunt outing at Kelly's Hollow in the Jefferson National Forest just off Grove Hill Road on the way up Caldwell Mountain towards the Craig County line.

A citizen listening to the scanner said the attack took place around 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27. Lt. Tony Fisher of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Law Enforcement division out of Forest, Virginia, said that was about right. Game Commission police officer Shannon Smith answered the call.

Fincastle Fire and Rescue dispatched to the scene. According to the first responders, they used a Stokes Basket to go up the mountain about 200 yards to retrieve the victim, Barry Belcher of Fincastle.

One hunter shot at the bear while it was in the tree. The bear came out of the tree quickly and came by the first shooter and headed for the second hunter, Belcher, the victim. The bear charged the victim, biting him in the left lower leg. He shot the bear and killed it, firing once or twice. Fisher said it was estimated that the bear weighed 170 to 200 pounds. As far as bears go, he said that's about an average size for a black bear.

Bears will do something when cornered, he said. "All black bears are not aggressive and we want the public to know that," said Fisher. "It is a wild animal and we should respect the fact, but usually bears don't like to be around humans."