A Victoria man is recovering in hospital after he was shot in the face by a friend who thought he was a bear during a camping trip on Vancouver Island over the weekend.

Police say the two 22-year-old men were camping near the Nitinat River on Saturday night, when one of them woke up to the sound of what he thought was a black bear trying to get into their tent.

He allegedly grabbed his rifle, and fired several shots through the tent — hitting his buddy in the face and arm. The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

RCMP and conservation officers are investigating, but Const. Grant Desmet said they believe it was an accidental shooting.