Leave deer alone in fawning season, wildlife o cials say

Parks and Wildlife, some people see these fawns alone and attempt to help them by moving them, a critical error that has irreversible consequences for the young deer.

fawns are not easily rehabilitated, and the only way to avoid this risk of safety or separation is to leave them alone..

BY SHEA VANCE SVANCE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As the weather warms, locals and tourists alike ock to Colorado’s state parks, some hoping to catch a glimpse of the abundance of wildlife.

At the same time, fawning season — the time between May and June during which female deer give birth — is currently in full swing.

Although it is a beautiful time of year to observe fawns and other wildlife at a distance, recent human interference with babies in the south metro area, more so than in years past, is posing a serious threat to the young animal families.

When a doe gives birth to — or drops — her fawn, she leaves the newborn alone for a few days to collect food. e mother knows the fawn does not yet have a scent, protecting it from predators for a short period in its infancy.

According to Kara Van Hoose, public information o cer for the northeast branch of Colorado

“ e fawns are by themselves for up to two days at a time, and people see these fawns by themselves in the wild and think they’re abandoned or orphaned, and will try to move the fawns themselves, or feed them,” Van Hoose said.

“ ey have really good intentions, but it’s actually very harmful to the baby deer.”

A fawn’s main protection from predators is its lack of scent, so when a person touches the animal, or even comes too close to one, it transfers a scent that can leave it vulnerable to other animals, Van Hoose said.

When a fawn is moved from the location where its mother left it, they have a very small chance of ever being safely reunited, Van Hoose added.

Additionally, Van Hoose said a fawn is very unlikely to move when approached, and some people take this as a green light to pick one up or get too close.

“ ere really aren’t any good solutions once the fawn has been picked up,” Van Hoose said.

Unlike other animals, deer and

Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as well as the Colorado State Patrol, has been receiving a high volume of calls this year, with a noticeable spike in early June. Callers either have questions regarding the issue, or in the worst case, have already picked up a fawn and are asking about how to proceed, according to Van Hoose.

Van Hoose said the policy for response to these inquiries is education rst, the necessity for greater public awareness. is year, Van Hoose said some problem areas have been in Castle Rock, Parker, Elbert County, Elizabeth, and surrounding areas.

“Mostly it’s about spreading the word to people who don’t know or people who think that they are helping by moving deer to another location,” Van Hoose said.

Although fawning season is nearly over, the issue has persisted through the years, and it appears to be escalating. Van Hoose is not quite sure of the reason for the increased number of calls this year, positing a spike in new uninformed residents or a more fruitful fawning season as possible explanations.