OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries is reporting an increase of black bear sightings this year, as dry weather has reduced their food supply.

Black bears have been reported all over the state and locally.

Jim Fairbanks, director of golf at Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach, said a bear was seen passing through the golf course last weekend.

Fairbanks said everyone on the course had the good sense to stay away from the animal, and it was kind of a novelty.

“Everybody loved it,” he said.

Fairbanks said the bear hasn’t been seen since, and staff has been relieved to not see any bear scat on the grounds, which leads them to believe it hasn’t stuck around.

“It’s a neat thing to observe,” said MDIF Wildlife Biologist Scott Lindsay. However, he added, if one sees a bear, they should keep their distance. And those who see a bear in their yard should also make lots of noise like banging pots and pans.

Bears are always in search of food, Lindsay said, and once they find some, they will stay in an area until the food source is gone. They need to consume many calories to prepare for winter hibernation.

Lindsay say young bears around 2 years old who have just separated from their mothers are “attracted to easy calories” like bird seed or livestock food.

If a bear is seen in your area, Lindsay advises taking down bird feeders. This goes for hummingbird feeders as well, which he said a bear will take and “guzzle it down like a jug of Gatorade.”

Seeds scattered on the ground where bird feeders have been installed should be removed or sprayed with a solution of water and bleach or hot sauce to deter bears. Trash, bird seed, and pet and livestock food should be kept indoors.

Lindsay said he takes down his bird feeders from tax day to the beginning of deer season – from April to November – which is post- and pre-hibernation period for black bears. He said some people are reluctant to take in their bird feeders, but bears are very smart and very strong.

Lindsay said there are other factors that have increased the number of sightings of bears, including population growth, residential development near woods and, on a small scale, by an increase of bee keepers.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.