A brown bear attacked and poorly destroyed a Russian man in a forest about 125 km (78 miles) from Moscow, said local media and residents as observations of bears become more frequent in the region around the capital.

The man, who apparently survived the attack by managing to play death, was out of collecting antlers that were throwing from moose and deer last week when the bear attacked him from behind, quoted a local news site man’s uncle.

“It started to gnaw at his skull, then turned (him) around and started eating his face,” the victim’s relatives said. “Somehow pretended (he) to be dead, and the bear left him alone.”

Russian media said the wounded man called relief and waited for hours, while emergency personnel searched for him on foot in the forest near the village of Yeremeevo. He was then taken to the hospital by helicopter.

Bear hunting is allowed in large parts of Russia, but is prohibited in the Moscow region.

Some Russians go out into the woods to collect antlers, a couple of which can sell for up to 15,000 rubles ($ 178), about two -thirds of Russia’s minimal monthly salary.