A mother doe leaves her fawn alone for up to 22 hours a day while she goes to forage. The fawn has virtually no scent and can lay motionless for many hours. This defense technique is very effective against natural predators. It is not uncommon to see a fawn curled up quietly in a residential yard, on the roadside or even on your front porch. 

If a fawn is found:
PLEASE LEAVE IT ALONE. Keep the area as quiet as possible, free of people and pets. 

If the fawn has already been removed from the wild:
It should be returned to where it was found where the mother doe is almost certainly waiting. The returned fawn should be placed as close as possible to the original location and left alone. The doe will return when she feels it is safe to do so. 

 

If a fawn is injured or showing signs of distress: Contact the Wildlife Rescue Center or a wildlife rehabilitator near you if a fawn has obvious wounds, is covered in flies or fly eggs, has flailing or spastic movements, or other injuries.