Given our current state of self-isolation and social distancing, many homeowners have seen an unparalleled return of animal life. This is especially true for deers and fawn, whose main birthing season begins in May.
Leave it alone
If you come across a lone fawn, the most important thing to remember is it is not abandoned. A female deer will hide their newborn fawn in tall grass or thick brush in order to feed nearby.
Newborn deers are not as strong or fast as their adult counterparts, so they must hide until their mother returns. When the fawn is older, it will be able to feed alongside the mother.
Lone fawns do not need to be rescued or moved to safety. In fact, their coat is camouflaged to the forest floor so moving them would make them more vulnerable to predators.
Walk away quickly and quietly
When you come across a lone fawn, chances are, the mother is very close by. Deers are not normally aggressive creatures, but it is always better to remain safe and keep your distance. You never know what a deer will do in order to protect her young.
If you are walking your dog, make sure you put it on a leash as soon as possible. This will keep your dog away from both the mother and baby deer, and more importantly, keep your dog out of harm’s way.
Do not touch it
Fawns are born naturally scent-free, which helps protect them from predators. Unless the deer is in immediate danger, such as laying in the middle of the road or stuck in a trap, do not touch the fawn. If you touch the deer, you will leave your human scent on their body and thus leave them vulnerable to predators.
Not only will your human scent put the animal in jeopardy, but mother deer have also been known to abandon or reject their young if they pick up a human scent.
If you must handle a fawn, be sure to wear gloves the entire time. Before you leave the fawn, use a towel to wipe the fawn and the area around the animal. This will remove any trace of human scent and keep the fawn safe until its mother returns.
Have An Animal Problem? Call the Experts at Shumaker Animal Control
If you think you have an animal problem on your property, call the experts at Shumaker Animal Control to deal with the problem for you. Our experienced team will take care of the problem in a timely manner, ensuring that your home and pets are not in any danger.
At Shumaker Animal Control, we are a family-owned business who cares about the safety of you and your family but also about the well-being of the animals themselves. All of our trapping and control methods are humane, as we never try to hurt the angry or scared animal.
Call us at 443-854-8072, visit our website or fill out our contact form for more information.
