Do deer avoid areas where there are Bear?

[Sentry Dog Man]

Just wondering if any of you guys have experienced minimal (if any) deer activity in areas where there is a lot of Bear sign??

In my area, I am beginning to think that it is a problem. I have found very little deer sign in the area I used to hunt 15 years ago (which I am hunting this year). But, there is loads of Bear sign. Had one fellow (who owns a gun shop and does a lot of deer hunting) tell me that it certainly was a problem if there were Bear in the area.

Anyway, the area I am hunting has loads of food for deer this year. Got a bumper crop of acorns and have had bunches of wild grapes and cherries. But, there is very little deer sign. I have not been able to find any trails and have only found two rubs and a couple of scrapes.

Your input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[Mark J]

Dont know, but I've seen deer and bear both in the same field at the same time.

We have bear tracks show up on the farm periodically. I kinda thought it was making the deer double in population because it seems thats whats its doing.:smile2:

[xringer3]

No, they don't. I've got deer and bear on my lease. I've hunted other areas of the state were we saw bear and deer in the same area the same day also.

[AwShucks]

Shouldn't matter. I believe the only time a bear would eat deer is if it was carrion. Don't think a deer is dumb enough to get within reach of a bear, and I don't think any bear is gonna outrun a deer.

[flathead willie]

Shouldn't matter. I believe the only time a bear would eat deer is if it was carrion. Don't think a deer is dumb enough to get within reach of a bear, and I don't think any bear is gonna outrun a deer.

What he said! The areas that I hunt have both deer and bear and they don't bother each other. No bear is going to catch a healthy deer and they know it.

[Blue Duck]

I have had the same experience as those above. I have seen them both at the same time and place without much attention to each other.