Fawn Season Has Started

Link: http://www.nc-claws.org/rescueneed.htm

Fawn season has begun. I have been getting calls recently from people who find fawn and assume they are in need of rescue. Young fawn, especially those young enough to have a speckled coat (they still have their spots,) are too young to keep up with Mom. The doe will "park" her babies, typically two, but there could be three, and visit them several times during the day to feed and care for them. The rest of the time, they are left alone.

Follow up:

Since the babies are not big enough to run from preditors, it is safer for them to stay alone. The doe will not stay with the fawn as her scent may attract preditors. She will also separate the siblings and park them in different locations not too far from each other. If you find a fawn, try not to disturb it so be sure to observe from a distance. If the baby is laying down curled up, legs tucked under with its head either held up or turned back with its chin resting on its back asleep, this is a parked baby quietly waiting for mom. Who, by the way, won't come back while you are hanging around. Signs that a baby is in distress and needs immediate attention from a licensed rehabber include the following: it is laying down on its side with its legs sticking straight out, is crying excessively, it has flies all around it, seems lethargic, is injured, or is near a dead doe. In this case, call your local wildlife commission and locate a fawn rehabber who will be able to give you instructions on caring for the animal until the rehabber can get the baby. If you locate one fawn in distress, be sure to look around as there is more than likely a second baby also in need.