Deer in Distress
Adult deer
Note: If a sick or injured deer is found, wildlife rehabilitation is not recommended. For sick deer, please report the location, date, and symptoms to the DEEP Wildlife Division (860-424-3011; deep.wildlife@ct.gov). For any deer found with severe injuries that may warrant euthanasia, please try contacting the local Animal Control Officer or local police department for assistance.
Young deer (fawns)
Most fawns that are found are not orphaned! Female deer (does) give birth to their fawns from May through the end of June. The doe will rarely be found near her fawn for the first few weeks of its life because her presence may attract predators. The fawn is able to hide from predators because it is well camouflaged and has very little odor. Often times, young fawns are found in and around yards. This is normal.
During the first five days of a fawn's life, its instinct is to remain perfectly still, even to the point of allowing people to come close or handle it. Fawns should never be handled unless a dead doe is found nearby or the fawn is seen calling out in distress for a period of more than 24 hours. If you touch a fawn, rub a towel in the leaves or grass and then wipe the fawn off with the towel. Then, wearing gloves, return the fawn to the original location where it was found. If the doe is around, she will come back to feed her fawn later when no one is around.
What else can you do? If a fawn is definitely orphaned, contact a rehabilitator authorized to care for fawn deer. These volunteers are authorized to care for orphaned fawn deer with the intent of returning them back to the wild. Names and contact information will be posted during fawn season.
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Content last updated on October 7, 2026.