You found a baby deer, now what?

Spring and early summer are peak times for white-tailed deer births, and every year, concerned citizens stumble upon fawns lying motionless in the grass or wandering alone. While your instinct may be to step in and help, it's essential to know when a fawn truly needs assistance — and when it doesn’t.

A Fawn Alone Isn’t Always an Orphan

One of the most common misconceptions is that a fawn seen alone has been abandoned. In reality, mother deer (does) often leave their babies alone for hours at a time. This behavior is completely normal and serves as a defense mechanism. Newborn fawns have very little scent and are born with spotted coats that blend into their surroundings. By staying away, the doe reduces the chance of attracting predators to the fawn's location.

A healthy fawn will typically lie quietly, curled up in tall grass, brush, or near a tree, and may not even flinch when approached. This is not a sign of injury or abandonment—this is instinctual hiding behavior.

Signs a Fawn May Be Orphaned or in Trouble

While many fawns are best left alone, some truly are in need of help. Here are a few signs to watch for:

• Curled Ear tips: If you cannot see the umbilical stump that indicates a newborn fawn (who have curled ear tips), curled ear tips indicate the fawn has not nursed in some time and is dehydrated - It is likely their mother has died.

• Visible injury: Broken limbs, open wounds, or dragging a leg.

• Infested with flies or maggots: Indicates the fawn has been left for a long time.

• Crying out repeatedly: A fawn that is bleating loudly and continuously may be distressed.

• Found beside a dead doe: If the mother has been killed (e.g., by a car), the fawn is likely orphaned.

• Wandering and following humans or pets: A healthy fawn will not approach people. If it seems disoriented or overly friendly, it may be orphaned or weakened.

What You Should (and Should Not) Do

• Do NOT touch or move the fawn unless you are certain it is injured or in danger. Your scent can attract predators or cause the mother to abandon the site temporarily.

• Observe from a distance. If you’re unsure whether the fawn is orphaned, monitor the area for several hours. The mother usually returns to nurse 2–3 times in a 24-hour period, often at dawn and dusk.

• Keep pets and children away to avoid stressing the fawn or attracting predators.

• If the fawn is truly injured or orphaned, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

It’s Illegal to Raise Wildlife Without a Permit

While your intentions may be good, it’s important to know that it is illegal in all states for unlicensed individuals to care for or raise wild animals, including fawns. Deer require specialized care, diets, and environments that are difficult to replicate in a home setting. Improper handling can lead to health problems, habituation to humans, or even death. Additionally, fawns raised by humans without proper licensing often cannot be successfully released into the wild, and are euthanized.

Contacting Help

If you believe a fawn is in trouble, contact a rehabilitator from this list. Be prepared to describe the fawn’s behavior, location, and any visible injuries.