This is the time of year the odds increase you could come across a deer fawn or an elk calf while out hiking or camping but the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has a clear safety message on behalf of the baby animals. Do not touch, try to feed, or take a baby animal home. Doing so can have fatal consequences for the animal and injuries to you are also possible. “Newborn fawns are actually frequently alone and isolated during their first weeks of life — and that’s on purpose,” shares Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Big Game Coordinator Mike Wardle. “The mother knows that leaving the fawn alone is the best way to protect it from predators.” If you see a deer fawn or elk calf that appears to be alone, take a photo from a distance and then move along. Never touch or pet it as you could leave your scent on the animal and draw predators to it. If you believe a baby animal is injured or sick, report it to the nearest DWR office. As always, help wildlife by allowing them to remain wild. For more tips, visit wildawareutah.org.
