Does lots of bear mean few deer and vice versa?

[mufan]

I hunt in WV and Va and itseems like the areas that are good for bear hunting are not good for deer. On the flipside, areas that are good for deer don't seem to have many deer. Bear are typically found in the higher mountains in these areas but these areas have relatively few deer. the majority of deer are found in the lower mountain areas where there are few deer. Is this typical of all areas? Has anybody found this same trend? Is it solely a terrain thing or do bear tend to run out other larger animals from their area?

[Southern Man]

I cant answer your question but...If you shoot a deer and bear are around they will take your deer from you.Ive seen it done.

[lead poisoner]

ORIGINAL: Southern Man

I cant answer your question but...If you shoot a deer and bear are around they will take your deer from you.Ive seen it done.

Not when I am holding a 7mm they will not.

[lethalconnection]

You betcha thats what happens.It called the balance of life that why we hunter try and help with the balance. Too many bears mean they are feeding lots of deer and more then likely fawns which will drop the numbers alot if there are no new deer growing up and all the breeder's are dieing off cause of old age or other things, and when there is too many deer that means there isnt very many predators such as bears cause too many have been killed or havent survived.

[Copper31]

I thinkit makes a difference. I hunt in northern WI and I swear there are more bear up there then deer. If I see a bear while deer hunting I would almost bet the farm that I won't see a deer. The funny thing is I have seen deer right after I have seen coyotes. So who knows.

[_Dan]

Good question and one I have never really thought about that much. In the area I guide for bear in Canada there are a lot of both. A lot of my hunters see deer walk past while sitting on bear baits. From my personal observations, I would say that it doesn't make that much difference.

[Digi]

I'm certainly no whitetail expert, but it is my understanding that deer will move to flatter ground instead of steep inclines.

Is there any difference in how steep the terrain is between your higher elevations and the lower areas?

[skeeter 7MM]

Blacks bears aren't considered main predators of deer, they will take a meal of opportunity on a young fawn but highly unlikely they will stalk or pursue a deer. Wolves and grizzlies yes but not blackie's. I have seen deer, elk, moose and black bear all sitting in the same spot the bears pay little attention to the other game but they all are aware and wary of each others presence non the less even where their is little to no threat.

Like mentioned the whitetail is not built for mountain terrain, so if steep, rocky, etc that could be a reason for the difference between the lower vs higher. It could also be a wolf density issue as well.