Leave it alone until you have talked to a wildlife rehabilitator! Chances are, mom has just hidden it for the day and will return at dusk or evening to feed it. Do not attempt to feed it as it can make the deer seriously sick. There are 6 main questions you should be prepared to answer:

  • Lift the fawn’s tail. Is it clean or dirty underneath?
  • Pinch skin above the shoulders and observe how fast it flattens. Does the skin flatten quickly or very slowly? (Determines dehydration)
  • Is the inside of the fawn’s mouth warm, neutral, or cold?
  • Are fire ants present on the fawn? If yes, how many?
  • What is the posture of the fawn (ex. lying down, limping, sleeping, on side?)
  • Are there obvious injuries to the fawn? (ex. broken leg, injured eye, dog bite, etc.)