Finding a Fawn Alone: What’s Normal

A fawn lying quietly by itself is normal behavior. Mother deer leave their fawns alone for hours at a time to avoid attracting predators.

If the fawn is:

• Calm

• Alert

• Quiet

• Curled up or resting

It does not need help. The mother is almost always nearby.

What NOT to Do if You Find a Fawn

• Do not chase, pick up, or move a healthy fawn.

• Do not assume the mother has abandoned her fawn — its mother often leaves it alone for hours.

• Do not touch the fawn; human scent and stress can put it at risk.

Intervening unnecessarily can do more harm than good.

What You Should Do Instead

• Observe the fawn from a distance.

• Keep pets and people away.

• Leave the area so the mother feels safe returning.

• Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator only if actual distress appears.

When a Fawn Truly Needs Help

A fawn requires immediate professional help if:

• It lies flat, limp, or unresponsive.

• It’s covered in flies or fly eggs.

• It runs around crying or screaming for more than an hour.

• It has visible injuries, or an animal attacked it.

If you see any of these signs, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

RWR does not rehabilitate fawns. Please use the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources rehabilitator list to find appropriate help.

The Best Way to Help a Fawn

When you find a fawn , the safest and most humane response is to limit human interaction and involve trained wildlife professionals when necessary.

Giving fawns space — or getting expert help quickly — gives them the best chance to survive.