Don't be a 'fawn-napper' this season, experts warn

What to do if you find a fawn in Michigan this spring

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:23pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of golden light and earthy greens, depicting a single, sleeping fawn curled up on the forest floor, conveying the natural tranquility of fawn season.A peaceful moment of rest for a newborn fawn hidden in the woods, as its mother ventures off to feed.Metamora Today

With fawn season in full swing across Michigan, wildlife experts are reminding the public not to 'fawn-nap' or remove young deer from the wild, as this can do more harm than good. Instead, they advise observing from a distance and only intervening if the fawn shows clear signs of distress or injury.

Why it matters

Every year, well-meaning people find fawns alone and assume they are orphans, leading to thousands of unnecessary 'fawn-nappings' that can be harmful to the animals. Educating the public on proper fawn behavior and when to call for help is crucial to protecting Michigan's wildlife.

The details

Between late April and early June, white-tailed deer mothers will hide their spotted fawns in secluded areas to avoid attracting predators while they go off to feed. This natural behavior can lead people to mistakenly think the fawns are abandoned and need to be rescued. However, wildlife experts say fawns should only be approached if they show clear signs of distress, such as injuries, cold, or fly eggs. Otherwise, the fawns are likely just resting while their mothers are away feeding.

  • Fawn season in Michigan runs from late April through early June.

The players

Warren Short

Founder of Short's Fawn Rescue, which receives around 3,000 calls per year about found fawns in Michigan.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The state agency that oversees wildlife management and conservation efforts.

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What they’re saying

“If a fawn is curled up like a dog and sleeping, then it's perfectly fine. Mom's off feeding.”

— Warren Short, Founder, Short's Fawn Rescue

“If the baby is laying on its side, for example, then that's not normal. If it's got flies all over it, if it has obvious injuries, that's not normal.”

— Warren Short, Founder, Short's Fawn Rescue

What’s next

Short's Fawn Rescue is hosting its annual Fawn 5K Run/Walk on April 11th to raise funds for a new portable x-ray machine, which will help the organization better care for injured fawns brought to their facility.

The takeaway

While it's natural to want to help a seemingly abandoned fawn, the best thing the public can do is observe from a distance and only intervene if the animal shows clear signs of distress. Removing healthy fawns from the wild can do more harm than good, so it's crucial for Michiganders to educate themselves on proper fawn behavior and when to contact wildlife experts for assistance.