Bear had other ideas: Five eastern Idaho hunters went into the woods Saturday to retrieve an elk shot with an arrow. But apparently a grizzly had decided the elk was his.

Loaded for bear: The hunters had five large-caliber pistols and a 12-gauge shotgun. When the bear attacked, they were ready: They shot 12 times as the grizzly charged — the last with the 12 gauge at about 12 feet, Idaho Fish and Game officials said. That was enough to convince the bear to leave. A small blood trail showed that the bear had been hit at least once, probably in a front leg.

Declined pursuit: About an hour later, a F&G warden and a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy confirmed the bear had been wounded and, wisely, did not pursue it. The Forest Service posted notices and officers patrolled the area, alerting the public. Agents found a blood trail but no bear.

Temporary measures: F&G officials said the incident shows that while guns may turn a charging bear around, they can create lingering worries if the bear is only wounded. Officials recommend bear spray, because effects are temporary.

Aim for the nose: Grizzlies can withstand a lot of pain — “with the exception of when it is applied to their noses,” said George Stephens, a retired neurosurgeon who studies grizzlies. “Their noses are incredibly sensitive and wired directly to their brains.”