With thousands of black and brown bears in Canada, spotting one isn’t as rare as one might think. Still, even residents who’ve lived in bear country their entire lives can’t help but watch intently when one of these majestic creatures steps out of the woods.

One Canadian man took matters into his own hands when a curious black bear came a bit too close to his home on Tuesday, October 20. His wife, Rachel Lewis, watched in suspense from their house as he scared the bear away in the most Canadian way possible: with a hockey net. Even global news outlets like ABC News have been sharing this iconic—and unexpected—story.

One word: Iconic.

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From the man’s confidence as he approached a wild animal to the polite way he shooed the bear away, everything about this scene is a Canadian stereotype in the making. Even Rachel called this “the most Canadian thing imaginable,” though it seems like her husband was simply being resourceful with whatever he had on hand.

Related: Black Bear Caught on Camera Boxing a Punching Bag on a Southern California Patio Like a Seasoned Pro

Viewers had a variety of responses to the viral clip. One person commented on @absnews video, “He was lucky that the bear didn’t charge back at him.”

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Another defended the bears, explaining, “Black bears are harmless and usually run; if that bear was a grizzly, he would be done.” Actually, this commenter is onto something!

Scare a Bear To Save Its Life

While people should never approach a brown or grizzly bear unless as a last resort, black bears tend to avoid people at all costs. They are much more skittish and less likely to attack, though injuries—and even deaths—can still occur.

When it is safe to do so, scaring a bear away from neighborhoods can actually save its life. Bears are much more likely to be killed after interacting with people if they find food or become comfortable in developed areas. The hockey net also helped the brave man appear larger, which is much more effective at scaring bears away.

This uber-Canadian moment is an important lesson in disguise. Never ever put yourself in danger around wild animals, but keep in mind the ways you can help them, too!