What to do if you find an injured or orphaned fawn or deer in North Carolina

Help! I found an orphaned or injured fawn! DO THIS FIRST!

If you find a fawn lying alone in the grass, tucked beside a tree line, or hidden in a quiet spot, do not assume that the baby has been abandoned.

White tailed deer are a "hider" species. Mother deer often leave their fawns hidden while they go off to feed, then return later when it is safer for their babies. A quiet, still fawn with no visible injuries is usually doing exactly what nature (and the mama) intended.

What to do RIGHT NOW:

Do not touch, move, feed, or pick up the fawn.
Keep children, pets, and people away from the area.
Give the fawn plenty of space for the mama to feel safe to return. The mama won't come out for her baby if she perceives a threat.
If the fawn is injured, crying constantly, covered in flys or maggots, weak, or in immediate danger, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before intervening.
If you are unsure, call or text CWCC at (980)-389-1133 for guidance.

What NOT to do:

Do NOT feed the fawn.
Do NOT give water.
Do NOT try to raise or care for the fawn by yourself.
Do NOT chase, grab, or attempt to catch a running fawn.
Do NOT move the fawn unless it is in immediate danger and you have been instructed to do so.
Do NOT keep a fawn overnight while "waiting to see what happens"

Fawns are extremely sensitive to stress. Chasing, handling, or attempting to catch them can cause serious harm and may lead to a life threatening condition called capture myopathy.

*CWCC does NOT rehab fawns, however, we can connect you with a licensed fawn rehabber in your area.*

Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators with the proper permits may care for fawns in North Carolina.

Because licensed fawn rehabilitator lists can change from year to year, please contact CWCC or use the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s wildlife rehabilitator resources for the most current guidance.

NC Licensed Fawn Rehabbers

Laurie Baker (828) 234-6167 Connelly Springs, NC
Laura Diaz (704) 798-7402 Salisbury, NC
Lisa Gerdon (704) 534-5346 Monroe, NC
Nancy Halcomb (336) 596-8201 Denton, NC
Devynn Mager (808) 354-8306 Wilson, NC
Rebecca Marlin (252) 995-4793 Frisco, NC
Larry Martin (336) 798-2904 Denton, NC
Jason Moody (980) 292-3353 Kings Mtn, NC

Angela Morton (336) 239-3019Asheboro, NC
Mackenzie Schelling (704) 956-1245 Peachland, NC
Kristye Steed (252) 204-0081 Warrenton, NC
Connie Tarleton (910) 599-6895 Rocky Point, NC
Marti Tripp-brinson (252) 531-7972 Ayden, NC
Nancy Vergara (828) 273-0068 Alexander, NC
Kimberly Wortham (919) 499-7006 Sanford, NC
William Wortham (919) 499-777 Sanford, NC

When does a fawn need help?

A fawn likely needs help if:

It is crying continuously for a long period of time.
It is walking around and following people, pets, or vehicles.
It is weak, limp, cold, or unable to lift its head.
It has visible injuries, bleeding, broken limbs, or wounds.
It has flies swarming around it, fly eggs, or maggots.
It has diarrhea, or appears very sick.
It is laying next to/ on a dead doe.
It was attacked by a dog or predator.
It is in immediate danger, such as in a road, parking lot, construction area, or flooded area.

If you see these signs, intervention may be needed, but PLEASE call before acting.

A healthy fawn may look “abandoned”... but usually isn’t

It is completely normal for a fawn to be alone for hours at a time.

Mother deer stay away from their fawns during parts of the day to avoid drawing predators to the baby. Fawns are born with very little scent and instinctively stay still and quiet while they wait for their mother to return.

A healthy fawn will often:

Lie quietly in one spot.
Stay curled up or flat against the ground.
Have clean eyes, ears and bottoms.
Breathe normally.
Appear alert if approached but remain still.
Have no visible wounds, flies or signs of distress.

The best thing you can do for a healthy fawn is to leave it exactly where it is and keep the area calm and quiet.

Important safety information

Fawns

Fawns are delicate and easily stressed. Never chase or try to catch a fawn that is running from you. If a fawn can run, it is usually old enough to flee from danger and should not be pursued.

Adults

Adult deer can be dangerous when injured, frightened, or cornered. Do not approach, restrain, or attempt to transport an adult deer.

If you find an injured adult white-tailed deer, contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at 866-318-2401 during business hours.

Outside of business hours, contact the NC Wildlife Enforcement Division at 800-662-7137.

Adult deer rehabilitation

If you find a severely injured adult deer, please contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Outside of business hours, contact the NC Wildlife Enforcement Division at 800-662-7137.

Adult deer have a very low chance of survival in human care. If the deer is able to stand, walk, or move away and appears to have only a superficial injury, the best way to help is to give the animal space and allow it to heal naturally.

Do not chase, restrain, or attempt to transport an adult deer. Injured deer are extremely stressed around people and can seriously injure themselves or others when frightened.

What if I already touched or moved the fawn?

If you already picked up or moved a healthy fawn, place it back as close as possible to the exact location where it was found. A mother deer will usually accept her fawn back. The most important thing is to return the baby quickly, leave the areas, and keep people and pets away so the doe feels safe coming back.

If the fawn is injured, weak, cold, crying continuously, or you are not sure what to do, call or text CWCC at (980)389-1133.

Deer on your property?

White-tailed deer are a natural and important part of North Carolina’s landscape. Seeing deer near yards, gardens, neighborhoods, and roads is common, especially where habitat overlaps with human development.

Please do not feed deer or attempt to make them comfortable around people. Feeding can cause health problems, increase vehicle collisions, spread disease, and make deer lose their natural fear of humans.

If you are dealing with deer damage, injured deer, or safety concerns, contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for guidance.

Why white-tailed deer matter

White-tailed deer are one of North Carolina’s most familiar native mammals. They play an important role in the ecosystem as browsers, seed dispersers, and prey for native predators and scavengers.

While they are often seen in neighborhoods and along roadsides, they are still wild animals. The best way to protect them is to respect their natural behavior, give them space, and only intervene when help is truly needed.