Deer

Deer

If you find an injured adult deer, stay clear of the animal!

Adult deer are very dangerous and have the potential to seriously hurt or kill good Samaritans. Petting and stroking an injured adult deer can kill the animal from stress. They do not find it comforting. Contact your local animal control officer for assistance.

If the deer is merely trapped in someone’s yard, be patient. Deer can usually find their way out of any yard they find their way into. Do not chase the animal. It may panic and injure itself or anyone around it. Never approach an adult deer, especially if it is obviously panicky.

Fawns

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release does not take in abandoned fawns but they can assist you. Kindred Spirits in the organization that cares for and releases fawns and they are located in Loomis. For information and assistance with fawns in distress, contact Kindred Spirits 530-889-5822. (http://kindredspiritsfawnrescue.org)

People often mistakenly assume that a baby deer, called a fawn, is orphaned if found alone. Rest assured that the mother deer, the doe, is probably nearby. The doe will only visit and nurse her fawn a few times a day to avoid attracting predators. Do not remove a healthy fawn from its location. Unless you know the mother is dead, leave the fawn alone.

If the baby does not appear injured or sick and is not in immediate danger, then leave the area. The mother will not return if people or pets are present. Mother deer are wary of human smells; DO NOT TOUCH a fawn with your hands. Unlike birds, deer do have a good sense of smell. If you have already handled the fawn, take a towel, rub it in the grass, and then wipe down the fawn to remove all human scent. Then return the fawn to the place where you found him.

If the fawn looks injured, cold, hungry, diseased, confused, crying incessantly, or if dogs, other animals, people or automobiles threaten its safety, call Kindred Spirits (530) 889-5822, located in Loomis. If you are transporting the animal to a wildlife center, place the fawn in a dog carrier or cardboard box lined with a towel. Cover the carrier with a sheet or towel for transport. Keep it warm and quiet (no radios or talking while driving!). Do not feed the animal.