GRANBY, Mass. -- A Massachusetts man charged with illegal hunting after shooting a black bear is saying he shot the animal in self-defense.

David Menard, of Granby, said the bear charged at him on his property, but environmental police aren't buying his story.

They said there was no evidence the bear, estimated to be about 1 year old, was a public safety threat.

Now Menard is facing several charges, including hunting out of season and hunting without a license.

Police said they found the wounded, 150-pound bear near Menard's home on Tuesday and had to euthanize it.