BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area has closed all dispersed camping sites along the North Fork Road six miles of Ketchum temporarily because of increased bear activity.

Officials say food storage and garbage collection are more difficult to managed in dispersed camping sites than in developed campgrounds. Developed campgrounds in the area are still open.

Bears possess an extremely keen sense of smell and can hone in on food from great distances. Once they find food in areas humans frequent, they are likely to return, and that posses a dangerous situation for bear and people.

Campers and groups using the Camp Manapu, a Mormon church camp in the area behind SNRA headquarters, have reported bears entering tents or attempting to gain access to hard-sided campers. Fish and Game officials have not determined whether this can be attributed to one bear or several.

Those using Camp Manapu say bears have been seen around the camp. And on two occasions a bear or bears entered unoccupied tents at the church camp, destroying sleeping bags. No food was found in the tents, but there was perfume in one tent.

A person camping near the North Fork Wood River trailhead reported a bear entering his campsite. On one occasion the bear climbed on top of his hard-sided camper.

Fish and Game officials will deploy a bear trap in the area to remove the bear or bears since they have become a threat to public safety.

officials ask that campers do not leave food or garbage where a bear can get access to it. Food and garbage should be stored inside a secure camper or vehicle. Food should never be left out on a picnic table, either, especially if the camper leaves the area.

If a black bear is encountered, stay calm. Bears are fast and can quickly over take a person trying to run. Mae sure the bear sees you. And don’t panic if the bear stands up. They may do so out of curiosity, not aggressiveness, to get a better view.

If you encounter a bear:

• Make as much noise as possible while slowing backing away.
• Always keep your eyes on the bear.
• Make yourself look as large as possible.
• Never drop a backpack – especially if it has food in it. Never give a bear a food reward by allowing it to get a meal from a dropped backpack.
• Bears can easily climb trees so don’t try to escape from a bear by climbing a tree.
• Allow the bear plenty of room to move away by providing them an escape route.
• Carry bear spray, have it readily available, and know how to use it. Do not carry it in your backpack.

• Do not get between the sow and her cubs. The odds of an attack become much more likely if the sow perceives a person as a threat to her cubs.
• If you are attacked by a black bear, DO NOT PLAY DEAD. If unable to escape the attack, fight back using any object available. Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear's face and muzzle.