I’ve found a fawn! What do I do?
If a wild animal has been injured or truly orphaned, call the SCDNR at 803-734-3886 (Monday through Friday, 8:30AM -5:00PM) or the RadioRoom (803-955-4000) after hours.
If you have found a fawn similar to what is below, then the fawn is likely fine and waiting for mama to return! Fawn are trying their best not to be seen, will flatten themselves to the ground, or curl up in a ball, and have very little scent. A healthy fawn will have a visibly wet nose, and wet to the touch. Ears will be perky and not curled at the tips.
It is absolutely illegal for you to take a fawn and keep as a pet.
The fawn I found doesn’t look like this, now what?
The fawn needs help if it is:
On it’s side or back, bleeding, visible wounds, covered in flies or fly strike or walking around bleating in distress.
Extremely thin, curled ear tips (see above), or a visibly dry nose.
Sitting next to or walking around near a deceased doe
In the roadway and will not leave the road (try to move back to wooded area close by)
The fawn meets all or some of the criteria above, now what?
Do not try to raise the fawn yourself. Fawn are not pets. It is illegal and they must be handed over to a wildlife rehabber. DNR can help you find a local rehabber.
Fawn are complicated, fragile creatures that need proper care. You are not doing the right thing if you keep it. It can never be wild and free if it is tame and has no fear. It costs the fawn its freedom and it cannot be wild.
Contact a local rehabber for transport and details on where the fawn needs to be dropped off or taken to. See link for details from SCDNR.
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/rehab/
It looks hungry, should I feed it?
It is best to not feed a fawn anything except unflavored electrolyte (Pedialyte) until a wildlife rehabber can get the fawn. Fawn diet must be correct from the beginning of care or the fawn can suffer serious complications resulting in death or inability to release back to the wild.
Hickory Haven Fawn Rescue 