A motorist traveling east on Hwy. 23 hit a large black bear Sunday night near Ogilvie.

The motorist did not suffer any injuries, and only minor vehicle damage was reported. The bear, however, was killed.

Dave Schottenbauer, a conservation officer with Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stationed in Milaca, responded to the scene around 8:30 p.m. after being called by the Minnesota State Patrol.

Schottenbauer said the male bear was on the “bigger side of average” and estimated its weight to be somewhere north of 300 pounds.

“It's not an uncommon size for an adult black bear, but its not too often you see them out in November,” Schottenbauer said, adding that confirmed sightings of bears weighing 500 pounds or more have been reported in the area.

Technically state property, Schottenbauer began the task of trying to find someone with a use for the bear shortly after arriving at the scene.

Kanabec County dispatchers put a message out on their radio system with instructions for anyone interested in claiming the animal. A local man soon did.

Schottenbauser said he understood the man planned to harvest the meat.

The Minnesota State Patrol, DNR and the Kanabec County Sheriff's Office all responded to the the scene Sunday night.