May 3, 2016

Contact: DNR Wildlife Division, 517-284-9453

Expect to start seeing fawns in May and June, but enjoy from a distance

A thicket, a patch of tall grass and a quiet spot in your back yard – all places that fawns have been found. For the first few weeks of a white-tailed deer fawn’s life, its mother will cache or hide it in secluded locations. This behavior helps reduce the potential of predators finding the fawn.

A fawn’s spots are excellent camouflage and will help it stay hidden from predators. In addition to being hidden by their mothers and having spotted camouflage, fawns have another adaptation to help them survive. Fawns are virtually odorless when they are young.

The Department of Natural Resources reminds Michigan residents who do find fawns not to touch them. There is a good chance they're supposed to be there. It is not uncommon for deer to leave their fawns unattended in order to avoid drawing attention to where the fawn is hidden. The mother will return periodically to nurse her fawns when she feels it is safe. The best thing to do is to leave the fawn alone and enjoy the experience from a distance.

For your safety, as well as the animal’s, it is critical that wildlife retain their natural fear of humans. Never handle or attempt to tame wild animals. Habituated deer, especially bucks, can become aggressive as they mature. Even if the deer seems tame and approachable, it is still a wild animal. Wild animals act unpredictably and can seriously injure a person.

Leaving baby animals in the wild ensures they have the best chance for survival. Every day that an animal spends with humans makes it less likely to be able to survive in the wild.

Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife. Unless a person is licensed, it is illegal to possess a live wild animal, including deer, in Michigan.  

The only time a baby animal may be removed from the wild is when it is obvious the parent is dead or the animal is injured. A licensed rehabilitator must be contacted before removing an animal from the wild. Rehabilitators must adhere to the law, must have gone through training on proper handling of injured or abandoned wild animals, and will work to return the animal to the wild, where it will have the best chance for survival.

A list of licensed rehabilitators can be found by visiting mi.gov/wildlife or by calling a local DNR office.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.