As fawning season continues across Maryland, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is reminding residents to leave young deer alone, even if they appear to be abandoned.
According to the agency, anyone who encounters a fawn should avoid touching, feeding, or attempting to rescue it. “While people often mean well, ‘rescuing’ fawns usually does more harm than good,” said DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer. “Taking a fawn from its natural habitat, under the mistaken belief that it’s orphaned, often leads to stress, injury, or malnutrition for the fawn.”
DNR officials say that even when no adult deer are visible nearby, the fawn’s mother is likely close and will return when it is safe. During the late spring birthing season, fawns are naturally equipped with several survival adaptations, including a spotted coat for camouflage, very little odor, and the instinct to remain motionless when approached by predators.
Wildlife experts say these behaviors often lead people to mistakenly believe the animal has been abandoned. Despite occasionally wandering or appearing alone, most fawns do not require any human intervention. Officials warn that removing deer from the wild and keeping them in captivity is illegal in Maryland and can create both public safety and animal welfare concerns as the deer matures.
DNR encourages residents to simply observe from a distance and allow nature to take its course. Anyone with questions about fawns or other young wildlife can contact Maryland’s wildlife hotline at 877-463-6497.
