Near the end of May, you’ll have the first sightings of cloven-hooved babies in the region; this is the time of year when newborn fawns make their appearance. When they get strength in their legs, they are frequently seen along roads with their mothers. 

This is where they tend to get in trouble. The white spots on these young fawns should serve as a warning to motorists that these newly arrived critters have no concept of moving vehicles.

When fawns are near a road, they may dart out directly in front of moving vehicles with very little warning.  Another fawn trick is their crossing technique as a car approaches.  The driver may think that the fawn has crossed the road and the danger has passed, but just before the car reaches the fawn’s location, the fawn might go back across the roadway, perhaps because its mother still hasn’t crossed. 

Driving a little more slowly and using caution when deer are sighted can help these fawns to live another day.

Sometimes, a fawn may be spotted lying down near a road or in your backyard, seemingly helpless. The temptation is to take it home, or take it somewhere, as its mother is nowhere to be seen. Do not approach the fawn; instead, take a quick look to see that the fawn is not obviously injured and then just leave it be. 

When fawns are first born, the mother might wander off for a while and not be seen. Does with newborns do this to avoid unwanted attention to their helpless fawns. 

Fawns seen in this situation are not abandoned, and the female adults will come back. 

When the fawn gets enough strength in its legs to walk, the fawn and mother will walk off. Give the fawn some space, and its mom will show up soon.