FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- A 50-pound bear scared by a dog is seeking refuge in a tree in front of a historic home, and has refused to climb down.

The Division of Wildlife believes the bear ran up the tree sometime after 11:30 p.m Thursday after it got scared by a couple who were walking their dog.

The bear bumped into them and then ran up a tree near the Avery House, a historic landmark built in 1879.

The Avery house is located at Mountain and Mulberry Street in Old Town Fort Collins.

The DOW monitored the bear all day Friday. Large crowds gathered to watch the bear, many with video cameras.

"We are going to wait until it gets dark before putting food in a trap, tag it and move him to a better bear habitat," said DOW spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill.

The DOW said the frost took a toll on the natural foods bears eat, making it a difficult time for them to feed.

"It has been a bad time for bear food, so this season we may see more bears," said Churchill.

The DOW recommends putting away items that would attract bears, such as bird feeders, dirty grills, open garbage cans, and food.

As of 11 P.M. Friday night the bear had not made its way down the tree and in to the trap.

A DOW official says once it does, it will be relocated to the Rawah Wilderness area.