Why is there a fawn alone in my yard?

Jan 16

The suburbs aren’t just for people: they make a great home for white-tailed deer as well. With deer moving into more heavily populated areas, your chances of seeing a fawn are pretty high.

And you may see a fawn all by itself, with mom nowhere to be found! That may seem weird, but this is usually not cause for alarm. If the fawn is curled up or sitting quietly, it is doing what it is supposed to be doing: Being quiet and keeping a low profile.

After a fawn is born, the mom will find a good spot and then leave it alone for most of the day. This feels counterintuitive to humans, but it is actually the safest thing the doe can do for her baby. Fawns have little to no scent, making them nearly invisible to predators unless they directly stumble across the baby. Mom’s presence could potentially draw predators to the baby, so she steers clear for most of the day.

Mom will return twice a day, usually at dusk and dawn, to feed and groom her baby. Even if you don’t see her, she is probably checking in! Once the baby is old enough to keep up with mom, she will begin taking the baby with her (usually when the fawn is a few weeks old). Until then, keep pets and children away from the baby, and do not try to feed or touch it.

Does will often leave fawns in places that seem strange to us, like the middle of a yard, or in a garden. Do not move the fawn, as this can make it hard—or even impossible—for mom to find it when she comes back. Mom picked that place for a reason, and even if it makes no sense to us, she knows what she’s doing.

If you are concerned that the baby may be orphaned, there are several things to look for. A fawn that is wandering around crying and making a lot of noise is probably missing its mom. If the fawn is covered in flies or its ears look wrinkled and puckered, it may not be being cared for. In these instances, contact Heights Wildlife Center at wildlife@heightswildlifecenter.org or (216) 232-3270 for assistance.