I had a different topic for this week’s feature, (NORTHWOODS SUPPER CLUBS) but a few days ago, Monica mentioned that she heard two fawns were found alone crying and brought to a wildlife rehabilitation center. This time of the year (May/June) is when fawns are born and there are a few things If you don’t already know that I would like to pass on about these cute little spotted kids. After rut, does will birth fawns in seven months putting that time as I mentioned above. First time mothers will have only one fawn while mature does will birth twins and at times triplets. When born, the doe will constantly clean the fawns to remove any afterbirth so there is as little scent as possible. Fawns can weigh between four and eight pounds and are able to stand on their wobbly legs within 20 minutes and walk within a couple of hours. Around three hours after being born, mom will place her fawn/fawns in different locations (usually high vegetation) for their safety. This is where her babies will lay/sleep and their color and low scent will conceal them to an extent from predators. Also, for their safety the doe will leave her babies alone but will always be within a 100 to 150 yards and returning 3 to 4 times a day to nurse.

If for some reason a fawn wanders off, mom is always able to find them by smell, but if the baby feels like it is lost, will bleat (cry) and mama will always be within hearing distance. In 2 weeks, the fawns will double that weight and if you’re lucky, within 4 weeks you might see fawns bobbing their heads, jumping and kicking/bucking. This is kind of playing as kids do but are naturally strengthening their muscles and at this time can outrun a human but won’t have the speed to avoid predators until they’re about 8 weeks old. Even though fawn will consume less of mama’s milk the doe could continue nursing for 3 or to 4 months before weaning them and she will start introducing the little ones to browsing. This is when they learn what plants to eat and which ones not to eat.

Getting back to the two fawns that were found alone and brought to the wildlife center. They were viewed from a distance and crying, and mom wasn’t showing up as she normally would have. Unfortunately, this means the doe was most likely hit and killed by a vehicle.

If you ever come across a fawn laying alone, unless you can see it is somehow injured, please leave it alone. I’m sure mom is watching and WILL NOT return to the fawn if someone is standing by her baby, so maybe take a picture but leave right away. A fawn in distress will bleat (cry) for hours and could be near their deceased mother. For any reason a fawn is orphaned, it will be weak unable to lift its head and could be lying on its side which usually isn’t normal. I didn’t think this was going to turn into a terribly sad topic until I was proof reading it. So, lets end it by saying the two fawns that were found, are heathy, doing great and will be released into the woods soon and we will see them jumping around playing with other little animals. For those who were waiting for the SUPPER CLUB topic, I promise it WILL be next.