While walking on a forested footpath in Pike County, PA recently, I nearly stepped on a fawn lying quietly among leaf litter and emerging ferns. The dappled light and the fawn’s cinnamon-colored fur pocked with white spots merged to create the perfect camouflage for the tiny white-tailed deer fawn to remain unobserved as I passed by, oblivious to its silent presence.

A few feet away, I bent to gather some kindling. Only then was the fawn’s form revealed to me. So still was the fragile babe that it appeared to be dead. This is one of the ways that fawns remain safe while their mothers forage for sustenance.

White-tailed deer mate in the fall and their adorable offspring arrive in early spring. Male deer (bucks) don’t participate in raising fawns. The female deer (doe) gives birth to one or two fawns and will lead her spindly-legged babe through its secluded habitat. After finding an appropriate place for the fawn to rest, the doe will wander away, leaving the fawn alone for extended periods of time, while returning periodically to nurse and relocate it. 

Should you find a fawn in a forest or field, remember that its mother is very likely to be nearby. The best way to support the seemingly helpless creature is to quietly leave the area to avoid further disturbance. 

In addition to their clever camouflage, fawns have very little odor and instinctively lie motionless when approached by a potential predator. These adaptations have allowed deer populations to thrive in the Upper Delaware River region. 

If you come upon a fawn that has clearly been injured, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, such as the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Monroe County, PA at 570/402-0223, email poconowildlife@gmail.com, find it online at  or https://www.poconowildlife.com/wp/. Fawns have very specific nutritional requirements and should not be given food or fluids, which could lead to illness or death. 

As fawns follow their mothers through our forests at this time of year, keep watch along regional roadways. Whenever you see a doe attempting to cross a road, there is a good chance that her fawn is not far behind. Slow down to give them the opportunity to make it safely to the other side, while savoring the beauty of our wildlife neighbors.