It’s fawn season, and there are three important things to remember.
1. When you see a deer crossing the road, expect that one, two or even three fawns will likely follow. Stop and wait before proceeding slowly. Try to warn oncoming traffic by flashing your headlights or using hand signals.
Speed is the most common factor in wildlife-vehicle collisions. In areas where you know deer to be, or when you see a sign indicating deer are in that area:
- SLOW DOWN!
- Scan ahead, and side-to-side.
- If you see one deer cross the road, expect more to follow.
- Watch for deer coming out from between parked cars, especially by golf courses and green spaces.
2. If you’re walking your dog and see a doe, assume there is at least one fawn nearby. Please respect the doe’s maternal instincts. She’s a wild animal protecting her young and she may see your dog as a potential predator. Consider turning around and going another route with your dog. Or cross the street giving the doe a wide berth and proceed with caution, keeping your eye on the doe’s body language. And be aware that the presence of your dog might cause a deer to bolt into oncoming traffic.
3. If you see a fawn, leave it alone! Every year healthy fawns are mistakenly thought to be orphaned, but the mother deer leaves her baby alone for periods of time and will return for the fawn. To find out what you should and shouldn’t do if you find a baby deer, check out these tips from Wild Arc.
This year’s “Caution – Expect Deer” lawn sign blitz starts this week – if you’d like a sign, please email us.
