BYRAM — An off-duty Dover police officer shot and seriously wounded a bear that bit his foot while the officer was deer hunting in Allamuchy State Park, The Daily Record reported.

State wildlife officials said the Tuesday incident was not a bear attack. Officer Walter Michalski accidentally stepped on the bear while it was partly concealed in its den. The bear, a mother that was with her cubs, then bit Michalski, who shot the animal because he was unable "to extricate himself," a Department of Environmental Protection spokesman told The Daily Record. Wildlife officials later tracked and euthanized the animal, also saving two of the cubs.

No charges have been filed.

In September, a Rutgers University student hiking in West Milford was killed in what is believed to be the state's first documented fatal bear attack.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.