What To Do When You Find A Fawn Outdoors In Wisconsin

The fact that there are a lot of deer in Wisconsin is probably not a shock to anyone.

Recent statistics indicate that the state's post-hunt deer population is estimated to be around 1.3 to 1.6 million, making it one of the states with the largest whitetail deer populations. That, among other factors, makes Wisconsin one of the premier states for deer hunting.

So, seeing deer is quite common in Wisconsin, and sometimes during the spring and summer, outdoor enthusiasts may even see a white-tailed deer fawn. Oftentimes, these little cuties may seem to be all alone, so people may feel the urge to approach them or take action to protect them.

However, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wants to remind people that there are things they must do if they spot a fawn seemingly alone in the woods.

Wisconsin DNR Offers Expert Advice On Encountering A Fawn

According to the DNR, anyone who encounters a fawn while outdoors should not touch it or intervene in any way. Chances are, it’s right where it’s supposed to be, and its mother isn’t far away.

The DNR notes that wild animals care for their young differently than humans do, and their best chance of survival is in their natural environment. In the first few weeks of life, fawns stay quiet and hidden while their mothers look for food nearby. Their spotted coats and minimal scent are their best defenses.

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Fawns can walk from birth, but it takes them a few weeks to become fast enough to keep up with their mothers and avoid predators.

“Young fawns are often left alone for most of the day to keep them safe,” said Jenna Fastner, DNR captive wildlife health specialist. Although their mother can return at any time, white-tailed deer are crepuscular, or more active at dawn and dusk, which means the fawn can be alone for long periods between feedings."

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Fastner adds that most fawns are on the move with their mothers by the Fourth of July

What To Do If You Find A Fawn

The DNR offers to following tips should you find a fawn:

• Unaccompanied fawns have rarely been abandoned. If you find a seemingly healthy fawn lying quietly by itself, do not touch it. Simply leave it there.
• Do not bring other people or pets to look at the fawn. The mother will not return while people or other animals are around. Giving the fawn and its mother space is the best thing you can do to support their natural behavior.
• Do not feed the fawn. Wild animals have specialized dietary needs that are not easily met, and providing non-natural food sources puts them at risk of suffering nutritional deficiencies that can lead to deformities or death.
• If you encounter a fawn that appears sick, injured, or is in an unsafe location, record what you are observing from a distance and take photos or videos if you can do so safely. Call the DNR or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance before intervening. Wildlife rehabilitators often specialize in one or a few species.

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Remember, in Wisconsin, it is against the law to take an animal from the wild to keep as a pet or to provide unlicensed rehabilitation. You must have a license to conduct wildlife rehabilitation.