You look out your window and see a small fawn curled up in your yard, with no mother in sight. What do you do? The wildlife removal team at A.S.A.P. Critter People has received a lot of phone calls from locals in Cincinnati, OH, asking just that question. They’ve shared a guide below to help you know when to leave the baby deer alone and when to intervene.

How to Deal With a Lone Fawn

What to Do

Most of the time, you should do nothing. Small fawns don’t have the strength to follow their mothers around all day, so they are excellent hiders. The doe will leave the fawn in a safe spot where their coat will help camouflage them while the mother forages for food. This helps protect the baby, as predators will be drawn to the mother and not the fawn. The mother will return—perhaps hours later—and they will be on their way. Just give them their space and keep any pets away.

When to Call for Wildlife Removal

When the fawn is clearly in distress, then it is appropriate to call for help. For example, they may be next to a dead doe or stumbling around, indicating injury. If they are wandering or crying, the fawn likely needs assistance, but you should not try to “adopt” it yourself. This is illegal and usually unhelpful as it prevents the deer from learning how to live in the wild. Instead, call your local critter removal service. They will evaluate the situation and make the best plan of action for the animal.

If you find a distressed fawn or have other wildlife hanging around, then call A.S.A.P Critter People. They are a professional and humane animal removal service who will take care of your unwanted guests and help protect your property from future trespassers. Just call their wildlife removal team at (513) 941-0258 to schedule an appointment or visit them online to see a full list of their pest removal coverage areas.