By Mike Roche

In this month’s posting, Mass Wildlife included detailed information on the agency’s web page about whitetail deer fawns. It is my usual practice to include information about young wildlife each year at this time and MassWildlife is the best source of reliable info to aid people who might come across a fawn or other for young wildlife.

It is really very simple – leave young wildlife alone!

In 99% of instances that is the absolute best thing to do, but the information about young whitetail deer was excellent and worth passing along.

The best defense for fawns is their natural camouflage and they use it to stay hidden from predators laying in cover where they spend much of their first 30 days on their own. You should never approach or take a fawn from the wild, even if it is alone.

Adult whitetail deer females, or does, typically give birth to one to three fawns each spring. Most are born in May and June, but here in Massachusetts they can be born as early as April or even well into summer. Newborn fawns usually weigh about four to nine pounds and can walk within an hour. For the first couple of months, fawns spend almost all their time alone. This separation increases survival as they are not yet strong enough to flee from predators that may be attracted to the mother.

This bed phase of the young deer’s life lasts for about five to eight days. Newborn fawns spend most of this time bedded on the ground alone and will lay very still, even when a person or animal approaches. The doe visits very briefly, only a couple times a day, to feed the fawn and usually move it to a new location. If humans or pets are nearby, does stay away from their fawn to avoid drawing attention to the location and return when the coast is clear.

Does with multiple young keep them apart so if a predator finds one, they will not find the others. If a fawn is threatened, it may drop its head, flatten its ears, and even suspend its breathing. This behavior helps the fawn avoid being detected by predators. While fawns may seem like they are most vulnerable during this stage, it is actually the lowest risk phase for predation.

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Next comes the flush phase which encompasses the first 8 to 30 days of a fawn’s life. Fawns will still spend most of their time bedded on the ground alone receiving brief, infrequent visits from their mother. During this phase, fawns lay still until a threat is close and then quickly run—or “flush”—to a new spot and bed down to hide. They may make crying or bleating sounds when they are disturbed by people or when trying to locate their mother.

It is during this phase when people often find what they think is an abandoned fawn and attempt to remove it from the wild. While this is well-intentioned, it is harmful to the fawn. If you find a fawn, the best thing you can do is leave it alone. The mother is likely nearby and continues to check on the fawn.

During this phase, there can be an increased risk of conflict between does and dogs when does try to protect their fawns that are hidden nearby. Dog owners need to be responsible and leash dogs to reduce risk to fawns and other young wildlife. Most of us live in deer habitat. Shortly after buying my home, less than a mile from the center of Orange, I came upon a newborn fawn while mowing my lawn. A quick exit took place and after making sure the area was left undisturbed, the fawn was gone the next morning.

The active phase starts after the fawns are about 30 days old. At this point, fawns are strong enough to flee from predators and are seen more frequently as they start exploring their environment. They will also begin to spend more time with their mothers and siblings at this point. The fawns grow fast and are active and you may see them near your homes and neighborhoods. Do your part to keep fawns and adult deer wild! They do not need to be fed and you should keep a respectful distance.

Again, if you do find a fawn, leave it alone, even if the mother is not in sight. The mother is likely nearby, and this behavior helps the fawn avoid being detected by predators. If you are contacted by someone who has taken a fawn into their care, you should tell them to immediately return it where they found it, or in safe cover close to that spot and quickly leave the area so the fawn does not follow you and the mother can return. The mother will return to nurse the fawn even if it has been handled by people.

Do not try to feed fawns as they have sensitive stomachs. It is illegal for any member of the public to possess a deer fawn for any reason. If a fawn is visibly injured or found with its dead mother, call MassWildlife at 508-389-6300 or the MA Environmental Police at (800) 632-8075. In the rare situation where rehabilitation is needed, care for fawns will be coordinated by MassWildlife.

“Leave it alone” is also the best advice with other wildlife and young birds. Nature is best when left alone. Hopefully all this rain has not seriously impacted young birds and wildlife. Cold, wet springs can be tough on hatchling and small animal survival.

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.