07/08/2026
Fawn Sighting Insights! Please read and share!
We frequently have tiny fawns get 'parked' in Hilltop Oasis Abingdon VA lower backyard. The hillside garden, shrubs, and trees shade is the perfect places for the Does to safely leave the babies. We've even heard the fawns calling for their Mommas before dawn (may have been left overnight). While it's a heartbreaking sound, the Does have always returned!
It makes for a beautiful experience watching the doe feed, the fawn nurse, and play!
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Licensed wildlife rehabber Kacie Shuler of Pennington Gap, Virginia is currently caring for 30 fawns!! š³
Some were injured, some had moms that were hit by cars, and some were mistakenly fawn napped. š©
Kacie is the only fawn rehabber in SWVA and she has some tips (with so many babies out in the wild right now) to make sure well-meaning people donāt make the fawn-napping mistake!
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White-tailed Deer fawns are born April through July, with the majority of fawns born in June.
Until they are strong enough to keep up with their mothers, deer fawns are left alone while their mothers go off to feed.
***This isn't abandonmentāit's protection.***
By staying away, the mother reduces the chances of attracting predators to her young.
Fawns are usually hidden in tall grass or shrubs, but they may also be found in open areas, including backyards.
As they grow older, fawns may start to wander short distances, but they still rely on their mothers. Does usually return at dawn and dusk to feed or move their young.
Well-meaning humans often assume that because a fawn is alone, it must be an orphan, leading to numerous fawn ākidnappingsā each year. In reality, most of these fawns are not orphanedāthey're just waiting patiently for their motherās return.
If you come across a fawn and think it may need help, donāt act immediately. Use the guidelines below to decide if intervention is truly necessary.
If you find a fawn, ask yourself, āDO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY??ā
Curled ears alone does NOT mean the fawn is in need of help.
ā¢ It is bleeding, has an open wound, or has a broken bone.
ā¢ Itās covered in fly eggs (look like small grains of rice) or has green flies swarming around it.
ā¢ Itās crying nonstop for hours on end.
ā¢ It appears weak AND is lying on its side.
If YES, the deer is likely injured or orphaned. Contact your nearest permitted wildlife rehabilitator!!
Do not give the baby food or water! Never chase a fawn to capture it.
The stress of being chased can be dangerous to a fawn. Fawns are prone to a condition called capture myopathy, which is caused by chase and stress. Capture myopathy can lead to damage to internal organs and even death.
If NO, continue on to the next question.
Is the fawn in a dangerous location (e.g., by a busy road, in a backyard with dogs, etc.)?
If YES, the fawn can be moved a short distance to a safer location.
When moving a fawn, itās not unusual for the fawn to follow you as you leave. To prevent the fawn from following you, place the fawn facing away from the direction in which you plan to leave so it cannot watch you.
Tap the fawn once or twice firmly between the shoulder blades (this mimics how the mother taps the fawn with her nose to communicate āstay here and wait until I come back.ā)
Quickly leave the area. Do not linger. The fawn may stand up and take a few steps to follow. Keep going and the fawn should lie back down. If possible, you can monitor from afar with binoculars.
If NO, then the fawn is healthy and simply waiting for mom to return.
Leave the fawn alone!
Keep children and pets away.
Monitor from a distance and reassess the situation in 24 hours.
A fawn has the BEST chance of survival when cared for by its mother.
If you have a true fawn emergency, reach out to Kacie at +1 (276) 870-9097.
š·: Kacie Shuler
Info from Kacie and the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
Text Kacie if youād like to donate to support her work. And I have placed a link to her Amazon wishlist in comments.
