what would be the obvious sign that a newborn whitetail deer has been abandoned?

Question

I know that mothers leave their babies by themselves and come and feed them through the day to keep predators away. And its very common to find one laying in the grass or woods curled up not moving at all, and I know not to touch them and its illegal to take one. I just need the OBVIOUS signs of abandonment. What do they do or how do they act??

baby is walking around in a small field bawing its head off for the last 1.5 hours. not a mother in sight. went closer to have a look to see if injured and it came near as if it was starved. so we just backed up and left and are keeping an eye on it.

Answer 1

if it looks scruffy unwashed
the hide is rumpled
when they are abandoned this is the most noticable thing
the mother always licks the young to clean it and comb it ,

Answer 2

You might want to check things out VERY carefully. Leave it alone for several days at least. If it is still there and looking like it has not been fed, call a Wildlife Rescue Center. DO NOT move it or attempt to "rescue" it yourself.

"Every spring, every wildlife department sends out press releases, telling people to not take orphaned wildlife out of its natural environment, even if it appears abandoned. It is probably not abandoned when found, but it definitely is when it goes home in the backseat of the SUV.

The instant people take baby wildlife out of its wild habitat, they're signing its death warrant. They might as well shoot it on the spot to spare it a slow, miserable death--and save the state some money. If people want to be kind, caring, and sensitive, they should leave it where they find it.

In addition, possession of wild animals without a collecting permit is illegal in most if not all states. If people knew that in addition to virtually guaranteeing the death of the animal they hope to save, they were breaking the law, it might slow them down, but regardless of extremely excellent educational efforts by state wildlife agencies, neither message has really gotten through to some people. In Montana, the state has finally stopped accepting orphaned fawns and calves, but they don't give out that fine."

http://network.bestfriends.org/montana/news/5029.html

Answer 3

I would try to find a Wildlife Rescue group that could come to your home. I have done this in the past for an injured raccoon and injured deer. Look in the Yellow Pages. The mother may be dead - but sometimes they do leave them for days. I would call for help.

Answer 4

keep watch for the mother...what ever u do don't pet or touch the fawn...cause the scent of human on the fawn will cause the mother to abandon it. Yes it is normal for fawns to lay in the grass and not move as not to attract attention from predators that may be near by...including humans. As for taking one, yes it could be illegal..if it looks like it could be abandoned call wildlife officials and let them assist the situation first, they might agree for u to look after it.

Answer 5

Yes they are colorblind. They can't see blaze orange but they can smell you b4 they see you anyway. A centerfire cartridge has the primer in the middle of the head. The firing pin has to strike it @ that center to discharge the round. A rimfire has primer all the way around the rim of the head. The firing pin only has to strike somewhere on the rim to discharge the round. More info : Most states don't allow rimfire cartridges to harvest deer.

Answer 6

The mother may have been shot or something the mother stays near at all times that would be a sure sign itself. you can raise it to survive on it's own because it is in it's genes it is a wild animal. It will die w/out help.and yes I have seen people have them around there homes not really as a pet but something like that.

Answer 7

I say call some Wildlife Organization that rescues injuired animals. If I had a country home, I would take it home and take care of it myself. I love the wildlife especially deers, they are so adorable, I just don't understand how hunters can kill them cute deers.

Answer 8

How can the baby deer write a sign when it's just a poor baby deer. Maybe the mother deer can. They need board and paint and also paint brush. Do you think they need permission?

Answer 9

Baby is standing on side of road next to large red mark in middle of lane.

Answer 10

Watch it for the next few days. if it still seems in distress, call the DNR. They will guide you on what to do. We had one up at our cabin and they allowed us to place apples and dryed corn for it. the department of natural resources should know best, however.