What to do if you find a fawn alone

By Anthony Collins

LPR Editor                                                                                    

A fawn just a few days old, is waiting patiently for its mom. Photo by Tara Thomason  

  Each summer, we encounter an uptick in wildlife activity, especially baby deer, or fawns, lying alone in fields, yards, or near roadways. But while it may appear that these young animals have been abandoned, in most cases, they are not.

     Wildlife experts say the best thing to do is usually the simplest: leave the fawn alone.

      Mother deer (does) often leave their fawns hidden during the day while they forage for food. This behavior is normal. Newborn fawns have almost no scent and instinctively remain still, a natural defense against predators.

      “If you see a fawn lying quietly with its head up and legs tucked, it’s likely healthy and just waiting for mom to return,” said a John Hammonds from Texas Parks and Wildlife.

•Observe from a distance: Do not approach or disturb the animal.

•Leave it where it is: Moving a fawn can separate it from its mother.

•Keep pets and people away: Dogs, especially, can pose a threat.

•Call a wildlife rehabilitator if the fawn is injured or in distress for over 24 hours.

•Don’t touch or pick up the fawn. Human scent can lead to abandonment.

•Don’t feed it. Cow’s milk or other substitutes can make it sick.

•Don’t assume it’s orphaned. Most fawns are not abandoned — they’re waiting.

•Don’t share the location online. It may invite unnecessary interference.

You should contact a licensed rehabilitator if:

•The fawn is crying or wandering for hours.

•It’s lying near a dead doe.

•It has visible injuries or is covered in flies.

•It’s in immediate danger, like near a road or active construction site.

Trusted Central Texas Wildlife Resources:

•Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: (512) 389-4800

•Austin Wildlife Rescue: (512) 472-9453

•Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation (Kendalia): 

(830) 336-2725

•All Things Wild Rehabilitation (Georgetown): 

(512) 897-0806

     In most cases, the best way to help a fawn is to give it space and time. If you’re ever unsure, let trained professionals decide what action, if any, is needed. Intervening too soon or for the wrong reason can do more harm than good.