KINGSTON — State Department of Fish and Wildlife officers trapped a black bear in the Jefferson Beach neighborhood of Kingston on Tuesday, after receiving numerous reports of bears in the area.

The captured bear was later released in Jefferson County and a second live trap has been set in the Kingston area, Fish and Wildlife Officer Jason Langbehn said.

Fish and Wildlife received about 20 calls regarding bears from South Kingston in the last week.

“We don’t want to trap them, but when we receive this many calls from the same area we’re going to take that next step,” Langbehn said.

Bear sightings have been on the rise in North Kitsap this spring as bears find their way into yards in search of pet food, trash and birdseed. Bears that become familiar with people can become less cautious and more aggressive.

Langbehn said people should be careful to keep birdseed, pet food and other bear attractants inside, even during the day. Bear calls usually drop off once wild berries ripen and bears have more natural food sources.

Fish and Wildlife catches the bears using live traps made from sections of culvert. The traps are usually baited with sweets.

“Donuts have been very successful,” Langbehn said.