How Does A Mother Deer Protect Her Fawn?

Fawns are born scent-free and have white camouflage spots which protect them from predators. The doe continues to keep her babies scent free by consuming her fawns urine and droppings. This is yet another reason why humans should never touch a fawn. Leaving human scent on their body will attract predators to the fawn. If you have touched a fawn and are returning the fawn to the place where found, please do the following:

Put on rubber gloves and get a towel.
Rub the towel in the grass then wipe the fawnʼs body with that towel to remove human scent.
Leaving the gloves on, return the fawn to the place where found. Now the fawn is once again scent-free and waiting for mom to return.
The destruction of habitat through logging and development has played a large part in the decrease of deer. Sadly, automobiles destroy thousands of deer annually. The following are a few tips on how to make your drive safer for you and the deer:

Heed wildlife warning signs and adhere to the speed limit.
Where forest or fields are on both sides of the road, scan for wildlife at all times. Be particularly attentive during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours.
At night, always watch for reflection from the eyes of deer and other nocturnal animals.
If a deer “freezes” in your head lights, stop if safe and turn your headlights off and on so the animal can pass.
When you see brake lights, it could mean the driver ahead of you has spotted deer. Stay alert!
If one animal crossed the road ahead of you, stop and watch; there will probably be others.
Deer hooves slip on pavement. A deer may fall in front of your vehicle just when you think it’s jumping away.
If you accidently hit and kill a deer, move it far off the road. Often a doe will be killed and her fawn is still there in harms way. The living fawn/s will stay by their dead mom and/or dead sibling for hours.

If an adult deer is hit by a vehicle and wounded, immediately call Santa Cruz County Animal Services (831-454-7200) or the non-emergency number of the local police for assistance. Please do not let the deer suffer.
Do not touch an injured deer as their sharp hooves will do major damage to you.
Deer of are such beautiful creatures to observe, but if you do not want them in your garden, here are some helpful hints to humanely keep them away:

Fruit trees are a natural attractant. Fruit should be harvested and fallen fruit removed.
Grass and underbrush should be kept trimmed.
Attractants can be surrounded by repellant plants such as: catnip, chives, garlic, lavender, onion, sage, spearmint and thyme.
Visual stimuli like strobe lights, mylar tape, scarecrows, bright lights, motion activated water sprays, loud noises and radios will help keep the deer away.
Deer fencing at least 8 feet high or simply fencing individual plants.
If you see an adult deer with a broken leg or other injury, leave the animal alone unless it can’t stand up. Even though the injury may take a long time to heal, this is far preferable to the trauma of chase and capture. Wild animalʼs ability to heal and their adaptability of some injuries are quite amazing.