SUNDANCE - Authorities are warning hunters to keep a close watch on weather forecasts after search teams had to rescue nine people who were stranded by a blizzard in the Black Hills National Forest in northeast Wyoming.

A snowstorm dropped more than 4 feet of snow on parts of the Black Hills late last week, covering roads and blocking hunters from leaving their camps.

Crook County Sheriff Steve Stahla says his office retrieved one hunter Thursday night, three children from a hunting camp on Friday and five people from two camps on Sunday. There were no reports of injuries.

Conditions have improved this week, but authorities say access to public land in the Black Hills is still very limited.

Stahla says some people chose to stay in their camps and keep hunting.