What to do if you find a fawn

Indiana DNR Release:

It's that time of year when deer give birth to their young in Indiana. With the spread of suburban areas into natural habitats, many people find fawns that appear to be abandoned. Thinking the animals are orphaned, hurt, abandoned or lost, well-meaning individuals sometimes “rescue” them.

Doing so is not only unnecessary but also bad for the animal. It also is illegal if you don’t have the proper permit.

With more and more suburban areas being built close to natural areas, young animals are increasingly born near humans and discovered without an adult animal nearby, so a few reminders are especially pertinent.

"The apparent lack of an adult does not mean a young animal is alone," said Linnea Petercheff, operations staff specialist for the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. "Adults often leave their young alone while they forage for food, but rarely do they abandon their young."

The best way to make sure a fawn is truly orphaned is to wait and check it periodically.

Before taking any action, remember the following:

If the fawn is not injured, the mother is likely nearby.
Leave the fawn alone and its mother will probably come and get it. Deer can take better care of their young than a human can.
Human scent on the fawn will not prevent the mother from taking care of it.
If you do not see any deer nearby, have someone keep a lookout nearby that can watch the fawn without being seen by the mother. In most cases, the mother will come back and get the fawn after you leave the area.

Remember that wild animals are just that – wild animals – and should be left in the wild. White-tailed deer are protected by law and cannot be kept as a pet. Wild animal rehabilitation permits are issued to qualified individuals who take in sick, injured, or orphaned wild animals with the intent of releasing them back into the wild.

If you encounter an injured or truly abandoned deer, do one of the following:

Call the DNR/USDA Wildlife Information Hotline, 1-800-893-4116, during business hours.
Check the DNR/USDA-Wildlife Services Web site, wildlifehotline.info.
Call the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife in Indianapolis, (317) 232-4080.
Call your DNR law enforcement district headquarters or regional headquarters; contact information is at: IN.gov/dnr/lawenfor/2755.htm
Call a licensed veterinarian for immediate assistance with a sick or severely injured wild animal.