Found a newborn deer

[AtlantisPeeps]

Today we found this little guy in our woods. So tempting to touch it! I'm a little worried about the millions of predators in our woods but his momma should come along sooner or later! Just thought I'd share the pics!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

As tempting as it may be - leave the little one alone. Those predators you are concerned about is exactly why mama is NOT nearby - babies that age are left laying like that for long stretches with mom only stopping by to feed now and then and steering clear otherwise to keep predators away rather than drawing attention to the fact that the fawn is there -- the misunderstanding of that is what lands many fawns in well-intentioned "foster care" every year when it was completely unnecessary and only creates more problems.

 

[chicmom]

Adorable. The baby will lie there each day in a cryptic state, as if it's frozen in place. That's it's defense mechanism. The baby also has virtually no odor. Mama comes to it and nurses it each night, when nobody is looking. Then, after about three days, the baby leaves with mama.

So very smart to look but not touch. I had a fawn in the tall grass on the edge of my woods one year. I nearly stepped on it by accident. We didn't tell anybody--just me and my husband knew. We were afraid the neighbor kids, who were quite ornery, like our own kids, would disturb the baby.

Nature is so awesome! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Peaches Lee]

Adorable!

 

[b.hromada]

As tempting as it may be - leave the little one alone. Those predators you are concerned about is exactly why mama is NOT nearby - babies that age are left laying like that for long stretches with mom only stopping by to feed now and then and steering clear otherwise to keep predators away rather than drawing attention to the fact that the fawn is there -- the misunderstanding of that is what lands many fawns in well-intentioned "foster care" every year when it was completely unnecessary and only creates more problems.

Great advice.

But it sure is precious!

 

[drumstick diva]

I saw a baby once and watched the mama come nurse it and then leave. It was right in the middle of the neighborhood "dump pile," (which has a sign marked 'NO DUMPING.") trees, bushes, burned out Xmas trees where all the young kids play, and the older ones smoke dope so their parents won't see them.

I was a wreck watching to see that no one noticed the baby. I knew what the "rascals" would do. I'm sure I worried more about that it's mother. It was really neat, when the mom left, baby went back into the junk pile and turned invisible.

BTW I don't DUMP things in that pile- it's right across from my kitchen window, in the easement field, but, everyone else brings their garbage there so I can have a great view. Talking to them hasn't helped, neither has calling the police. They told me if it wasn't in my yard, I should mind my own business.

 

[subhanalah]

I saw a baby once  and watched the mama come nurse it and then leave.  It was right in the middle of the neighborhood "dump pile," (which has a sign marked 'NO DUMPING.") trees, bushes, burned out Xmas trees where all the young kids play, and the older ones smoke dope so their parents won't see them.

I was a wreck watching to see that no one noticed the baby. I knew what the "rascals" would do. I'm sure I worried more about that it's mother. It was really neat, when the mom left, baby went back into the junk pile and turned invisible.

BTW  I don't DUMP things in that pile- it's right across from my kitchen window, in the easement field, but, everyone else brings their garbage there so I can have a great view.  Talking to them hasn't helped, neither has calling the police.  They told me if it wasn't in my yard, I should mind my own business.

that's why I miss Texas.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!
where I live now, seems everyone thinks the Earth is their giant trashcan. I have trash all over my yard less than a day after cleaning it all up! And I have a fenced yard!

 

[cassie]

If something has happened to the mother, the fawn will most likely leave its hiding place and wander about bleating for her. Otherwise he will stay put. I raised an orphan deer once. I found it while horseback riding several miles from my house. It was wondering around crying. It was also obviously very hungry. I took it home and called the game warden. He said that based on its behavior, it was likely an orphan. I had a pretty good idea what happened to this fawn's mother. I think the warden did too, but he didn't say so. There was a man who lived not far away from where I found the fawn who had a very large brood of children and no job and very little money. He fed his family on venison. To him deer season was whenever he needed meat. Fortunately, he lived several miles from where I lived so the deer I raised was at least safe from him. Since we lived in the woods I didn't have to release the deer into the wild when it was big enough. We were already in the wild.