A large black bear was hanging out in downtown Bayfield on Tuesday afternoon. He visited a yard and apple orchard on Bayfield Parkway, then ran toward the direction of the Pine River and Eagle Park.

A downtown resident said a bear apparently went through the trash cans in Eagle Park on Monday afternoon or evening. Other residents reported bear sightings Sunday and Monday.

There has been black bear activity at Riverside Park and Joe Stephenson Park in Bayfield, according to Town Manager Chris La May.

The Town of Bayfield reminds residents and businesses to avoid attracting bears.

. Secure your trash inside until pick-up day; remove bird feeders; keep BBQs clean; keep pet food indoors, which can also reduce skunk and raccoon visits.

. Also keep your garage door closed, and secure windows and doors. Don't leave food or trash in your vehicle. Pick fruit before it ripens, and clean up fallen fruit. Fruit tree branches break under a bear's weight.

Black bears have been known to damage property, vehicles, and even homes in their pursuit of food. Bears that find food around homes or businesses are often desensitized to human encounters, and even though black bears are not naturally aggressive towards humans, a bear intent on getting a meal could injure a person that gets in its way.

If bears visit your business or home, please contact the Bayfield Marshal's Office or Colorado Parks and Wildlife for tips on deterrents.

A bear was struck by a vehicle Tuesday night on CR 516, according to the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District. It wasn't known if the bear survived the encounter, and the district has been seeing lots of bear activity recently, said Chief Bruce Evans.