One Important Thing To NEVER Do When Finding A Fawn Alone In Illinois

Ever stumble upon a spotted, furry baby curled up in your yard and panic sets in? It's fawn season in Illinois, and seeing an adorable baby deer all alone can trigger our urge to rescue, but don't do it! Here's why leaving fawns alone is actually the kindest thing you can do.

One Important Thing to Know About Deer Moms

First things first, momma deer are ninja moms. They leave their fawns hidden in tall grass or brush for hours, because it is actually the best way to keep their baby safe. Fawns are born practically scentless, making them less detectable to predators. If the mother were to hang around, she'd be a giant neon sign saying "easy lunch!"

Does often visit their fawns to feed them at night when there's less activity and predators are less likely to be lurking. (including humans!)

The Most Important Thing to Do When Finding a Fawn Alone

Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Durand, Illinois receives many calls each Spring about "abandoned" fawns found in Illinois, and their advice  always starts out the same...DON'T TOUCH IT!

Your scent on a fawn can actually make it more vulnerable and put it in more danger. Does are very sensitive to foreign smells, and they might reject their fawn if it doesn't smell "right." A rejected fawn has a much slimmer chance of survival.

Now, what if the fawn looks injured or sickly? Keep an eye on it from a distance, and if you know for sure mama has not returned in a while, that's when rescues like Hoo Haven will step in. They are trained professionals who can give the fawn the proper care it needs...never try to do it yourself!