• Cook away from your tent or sleeping area. And don't sleep in the clothes you wore while cooking or the clothes you wore while cleaning fish. Leave those clothes, along with utensils, rags and anything used to prepare, cook, eat and clean up food, at your cooking area or sealed inside a vehicle.

• Don't bring items with you that have a strong odor. Bears have extremely sensitive noses. Anything that has a strong smell, including deodorant, perfume and certain soaps, could draw a bear to your campsite.

If a bear is encountered, Bunnell said, "Stand your ground. Never back up, lie down or play dead. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. Prepare to use your bear spray or another deterrent."

Also, don't run or climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph.

And, it's a good idea to know bear behavior. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, it's not being aggressive. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest.

If a black bear were to attack, always fight back with any and all things available. Victims can play dead with a grizzly bear, but not a black bear.

Carrying bear spray when venturing into areas where bears are is always a good idea. Studies have shown that bear sprays are up to 92 percent successful.

If there is a firearm available, shoot to kill. A wounded bear is extremely dangerous.

And, if a bear is encountered, report the sighting to the nearest DWR office.

The numbers are: Cedar City, 435-865-6100; Ogden, 801-476-2740; Price, 435-613-3700; Salt Lake City, 801-538-4700; Springville, 801-491-5678; and Vernal, 435-781-9453.

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E-mail: grass@desnews.com