Be wary of mother deer; don’t approach or touch fawns

RBC | Mother deer are giving birth to fawns now and Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds residents and visitors to be wary of does at this time of year.

“Like any mother, a doe will protect her young so be careful when you’re out walking in town or in a wild area,” said Heath Kehm, deputy manager for CPW’s Southwest Region.

Mother deer are very protective when their fawns are vulnerable to predators or other perceived threats. If you see a fawn, the mother is sure to be close by. Do not approach a fawn and never pick one up. Does often stash their youngsters while they’re off feeding; but they do not abandon fawns. If you see one laying in the grass off a trail, it is doing just fine. Do not pick it up.

“Deer have done well without our help for thousands of years,” Kehm said. “They do not need assistance from us.”

Deer are abundant in cities and towns throughout Colorado. In urban areas people often come close to deer in parks, along trails and in open-space areas. For the first several months of their lives, fawns stay close to their mothers for protection and nourishment. A mother deer is very wary of people who get close to her young and can attack. The deer’s perception of a threat goes even higher when it sees a dog. Every year there are close calls, or attacks, when people are out walking dogs and wildlife have young nearby.

“When I see deer, especially when young are nearby, I steer clear and give them plenty of room,” Kehm said. “If you are walking your dog, please keep it on a leash.”

If you are concerned about a wild animal, do not touch it or pick it up; instead call the closest CPW office or local animal protection services.

Special to the Herald Times