KODIAK, Alaska — A Washington state man is being hailed as a hero after his hunting partner was mauled by a bear on a small island east of Kodiak.

KMXT reports Michael Snowden, of Sitka, suffered leg injuries in the brown bear attack on Tuesday.

Snowden and his hunting partner, Jeff Ostrin of Camas, were taking a deer they had shot down to a beach for pickup when they stopped for lunch. The bears caught wind of the deer.

The sow came through the brush and attacked Snowden. Ostrin stepped back, took aim with his rifle and killed the sow. One of the two cubs also was killed.

State wildlife official Larry Van Daele says Ostrin is a hero for killing the bears, tending to Snowden’s wounds and getting help.