Leave Those Fawns Alone

We’re coming upon the time when a lot of deer will be having their fawns in Fayette County.

But over-zealous animal lovers could do more harm than good trying to “save” what they think are abandoned fawns found on their property.

“The message is really simple, leave those fawns alone,” said local Game Warden Calvin Harbaugh. “It’s a no-win situation when you try to pick them up. For the lack of a better term it’s kid-napping, and it’s actually illegal to pick up and raise a fawn on your own.”

Harbaugh said he had to put down two deer in the past year that were raised by local folks who found them as fawns. Those deer, one doe and one buck, raised by different people, both grew to adulthood without a fear of people and ultimately got dangerously aggressive.

Harbaugh said it is very normal for a fawn to be left alone by its mother during the day as the adult goes out to feed and the youngster rests, but the mother will return several times daily to nurse the fawn – provided that humans don’t interfere.

“Just let nature take it’s course,” said Harbaugh.

With the number of new residents moving to Fayette County, he said it’s more important than ever to get the word out to just leave fawns you find alone.