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In the News: Tails of Marin

Oh, deer: It’s fawn season

By MHS Animal Services Officer Marc Rose

If there were a contest for cuteness, the newborn fawn would likely be well represented. With large brown eyes, long lashes, small white spots, legs spindly and awkward, a newborn fawn is not much larger than a cat. For purposes of protecting her irresistible little gem, you’d think mom would take the fawn deep into the woods of West Marin. But in fact, you may come across a fawn on your front porch, behind a planter next to the front door, under a car in the driveway, or camouflaged amidst the tulips of your flower garden. Why? If there were a contest for placing young babies in inconspicuous spots, the mother deer would likely not be well represented. 

It really isn’t mom’s fault. The modern world has ushered in a new era for deer. Gone are many of the vast open spaces and great hiding spots that I’m sure the doe’s DNA planned for all along. In neighborhoods and along open space borders, the era of the suburban mother deer has arrived. Tasked with raising her young in spaces shared with homes, basketball courts, yards, roads, and highways, the mother deer is adapting.

Following the birth of her fawn, the doe picks what appears to be a safe spot, and leaves her young offspring behind while she goes off to feed. A memorable photo shows a young fawn, her white spots and brown coat perfectly matching the backdrop around her, a brown painted step dotted with specks of new fallen snow. The young fawn’s mother had exactly the right idea, even if it meant placing the fawn on someone’s doorstep. In such a situation, it might be tempting to approach the fawn, or to pick it up and take it to safety. But you can rest assured that the mother is in the general vicinity and that while away grazing a hillside or sifting through your garden, hasn’t forgotten her fawn. In fact, a mother deer may leave her young for twelve hours or more at a time, and the fawn knows instinctively not to make a move, to barely flutter an eyelash at the approach of a human or other animal. 

Our suburban world, even in open space-conscious Marin, is full of pitfalls for deer. Cars are their number one enemy, especially in the spring and fall when deer are most active. But because they are constantly moving about, in and out of open space, across roads, and through yards, there are other hazards, as well, and occasionally a fawn will become orphaned.

If you see a fawn, assume for the time being that the mother is around. Think about whether you have seen the mother recently, and look around your property and the neighboring area. Make sure any gates are open so that the mother can pass through to reclaim her fawn. Look for the fawn at dawn or dusk when the mother deer is likely to return, and chances are the fawn will have moved. If, however you find that a fawn has been in the same spot for twenty-four hours, it is cause for concern that a hazard has befallen the mother, and you should call the Marin Humane Society. Orphaned fawns do have a chance of being raised and rehabilitated, but their chances of survival decrease when they part with their mother.

The prominence and diversity of wildlife is one of the perks of living in Marin, and for the most part, we need only step out of the way and let those animal mothers (and fathers) do their jobs. But always, keep an eye out for sick or injured wildlife, and call the Marin Humane Society (415.883.4621) regarding any animal in distress. 

Marc Rose is an animal services officer at the Marin Humane Society.