Skip to main content

Deer

Keep Wildlife Wild

Young deer, called fawns, can weigh as little as three pounds at birth. For the first 2-3 weeks after they are born, fawns lack the strength and speed to escape from danger. During this time, they move very little, relying on their spotted camouflage coat and lack of scent to protect them. The mother further protects her fawn from predators by staying some distance away except when it is time for the fawn to nurse, often just every few hours.

Tip: If you find a fawn lying alone, leave it alone unless it is sick or injured. Leave the area and do not go near the spot again. The mother will not return if people or dogs are present. Please do not touch the fawn or bring children, dogs or friends to look at it. Doing so could endanger the fawn by giving away its location to a predator, and its mother won't return to nurse the fawn while people or dogs are nearby.