White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
About
White-tailed deer typically give birth in May or June to 1-3 fawns. Fawns are born with fur, eyes open, and they can stand within an hour of being born. Does leave their fawns alone for much of the day in order to forage for food and then return to feed and collect their young, most often after sunset. They will look for a new suitable hiding place for the fawn during the night, but sometimes this hiding spot leaves a fawn visible to people, leading concerned members of the public to believe the fawn is an orphan.
Most fawns that are found alone do NOT need help. It can take the mother 24 hours or more to come collect her fawn if she senses danger, so it is important to stay a good distance away from it.
In the event of a true orphan fawn, there are very few rehabilitators in the state of Massachusetts that are permitted to care for deer and all cases must receive permission through MassWildlife.
Link to Mass.gov - what to do if you find a young deer?
Found a baby deer?
Most fawns are NOT orphans and their mother will collect them within 24 hours. The below criteria can help you determine if the deer you have found need assistance from a wildlife rehabilitator.
Do any of the following apply?
the baby has an obvious injury
the baby has a large amount of fecal matter stuck in its fur
the baby is continuously crying for many hours. Some vocalization is normal, but extended periods of crying could indicate a problem
flies are swarming around the baby and/or it is covered in fly eggs, which look like tiny grains of white rice. Flystrike is most often seen around the face and under the tail
the baby is cold, wet, and/or lethargic
the baby has been in the same location for more than 24 hours
the mother is confirmed dead
If you answered YES to any of these prompts, contact MassWildlife or Environmental Police.
If the answer to all prompts is NO, the fawn is most likely alright. Observe it from a distance to ensure the mother returns.
