What to do with a baby deer

[Hawkins]

My mother-in-law just called and said they found a baby deer by their house covered in fire ants. She gave it a bath and bottle fed it some milk with a baby bottle. Now, what is the next step, is it illegal to raise it. She asked if she took it back close to where they found it, will the mother still take it with her human scent on it? What to do.....

[whitetailfanatic]

its not nice to fool mother nature?
Biologist question for sure

[bowhuntntxn]

not to sound like a jerk, but she should have left it. there is a very good chance the mother will reject the baby, and who knows what processed cow milk will do to the baby's stomach. But she could try putting it back where she found it, and see what happens.

[cosmiccowboy]

Agree with taking it back. I doubt your mother-in-law did any permanent harm giving it cows milk and getting the fire ants off it probably saved it's life. Typically the mother will take the fawn back with no problem. That's definitely the best option.

[Hawkins]

It was about 15 yards from their house in their garden, found this morning, covered in fire ants. I know it's just mother nature, but the lady didn't want to see it suffer. she just figured it being right there by the house, the doe would not come back til dark, and the fawn would not make it til dark. I dont know just thought I would help her out....

[flywise]

Call a game warden and see what he say's, It would be hard to not help the little guy covered in fire ants. I have no idea if it will be rejected by mom or not. She might just leave it a little ways from the house and if it dosen't leave or reconnect with mom she might as well just keep feeding it.
I hope it works out one way or the other

[Todd-ty729]

Well technically it is illegal to keep the fawn but only if you get caught.

Second the mother may or may not take it back but it is worth a shot.

Plenty of orphaned fawns are raised by humans, you just need to be available everyday to bottle feed the rascal. They typically will be a dwarf-fawn due to lack of natures stuff from the mom that is recieved during nursing.

Best bet is to take it back near where they found it but do not set it out on an ant bed.

[kfd82]

Call the local Vet and see if they know of a wild life rehab center in your area.

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

Most areas have people that specialize in wild animal rehab. I know we have given two to the people by us in Dripping Springs. She did nothing wrong, do a little research for your area....maybe call the vet clinics and they can probably hook you up with someone that will come and pick it up. Chances are, if she found it in her garden the deer in the area are used to people and have little hunting pressure.

[Hot4huntin]

Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator in the county in which your mother-in-law lives

Wildlife Rehabilitators by County

More information on orphaned and injured animals:

Orphaned or Injured Animals

[Rockpit TX]

Call the Game Warden

[Nitro1970]

Call the Game Warden

agreed

[buzzbait]

raise it, just don't advertise it

[reggie]

its not legal to keep them, but the fireants will usually get in their throat & stomach & kill them. if you do keep it get powdered fawn milk or goat kid milk replacer they should do fine on that don't feed them over 3 ounces every 4 hours for the first couple days it will do fine.

[AgHntr10]

I would put it back close to where she found it and more than likely the doe will take her back. If not I would keep it and feed it, just don't put it in a pen so your really not keeping it captive

not to sound like a jerk, but she should have left it. there is a very good chance the mother will reject the baby, and who knows what processed cow milk will do to the baby's stomach. But she could try putting it back where she found it, and see what happens.

FAIL