By Jaime Proia
Lassen County Animal Shelter – Kennel Technician
Every spring and summer, well-meaning people across our community come across tiny, seemingly helpless baby deer (called fawns) curled up in fields, tall grass, or under shade trees — and assume they’ve been abandoned. But the truth is, most of these fawns are not lost or orphaned. In fact, their mothers are likely very close by.
At the Lassen County Animal Shelter, we receive calls every year from people who have picked up baby deer thinking they are saving them. Unfortunately, this act – while done out of kindness – can actually do more harm than good.
Why Do Fawns Seem “Alone”?
Mother deer intentionally leave their babies hidden during the day. This behavior protects fawns from predators, as the mother’s scent and movement could attract danger. Fawns are born with natural camouflage and remain still and quiet while waiting for their mothers to return – usually around dusk and dawn for feeding.
Why You Shouldn’t Take a Fawn Home:
- Removing a fawn from the wild can prevent it from being reunited with its mother.
- It’s illegal in many areas to keep or transport wild animals without a permit.
- Fawns taken from the wild often experience stress, poor nutrition, and illness.
- Wild animals raised by humans rarely adapt well if released later—and may not survive.
What to Do if You See a Fawn:
- Do not touch, feed, or move it.
- Leave the area quietly to avoid drawing predators or scaring the mother away.
- Observe from a distance. If the fawn is still there after 24 hours, or if it appears injured (bleeding, crying, wandering, or covered in flies), call your local Department of Fish and Wildlife for guidance.
- If you’ve already moved a fawn, place it back where you found it if possible, and leave the area.
Help Us Spread the Word
Each year, fawns are needlessly separated from their mothers by kind-hearted but misinformed people. Please help us educate our community by sharing this message. Nature knows what it’s doing – and sometimes the best help is not to interfere.
For more information, or if you’re unsure whether a wild animal needs help, feel free to call the Lassen County Animal Shelter at 1.530.257.9200, or contact our Department of Fish and Wildlife office at 1.530.254.6644.
