Huntsman says state's bear policy needs to be improved

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Posted: 12:58 PM- Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. says wildlife officials handled last weekend's fatal bear attack "by the book."

But, he says, that book may need to be rewritten.

Eleven-year-old Sam Ives of Pleasant Grove died Sunday night after a black bear ripped him from his tent in American Fork Canyon. It's the first fatal bear attack in Utah's recorded history.

Some critics say the U.S. Forest Service, which manages the campground, should have closed the area after the same bear attacked a camper earlier in the day.

At his monthly KUED public public television press conference, Huntsman said drought conditions have pushed humans and bears together as bear habitat has shrunk.

The governor said he will be talking to Department of Natural Resources and Agriculture officials about improving in bear policy and procedures.

"The books that we have used may be somewhat anachronistic," Huntsman said. "Maybe we have to update the book. We will do everything necessary to save human life."