My father in-law was drivin home last night in the pouring rain when he saw a dead doe in the middle of the road. Being an avid deer hunter with respect for all animals, he decided he should move it out of the middle of the road. When he went up to it he saw a fawn that was curled up next to the doe. Apparently the doe was pregnant when hit, and birthed two babies, one was killed, but the other survived. The fawn walked off a little, so after he moved the doe he looked for it knowing it would surely die if left in the wild because it couldn't get the nutrients it needed from its mama. He loaded it up in the truck and drove to the house, cleaned it off a little and called the game warden. GW said that you could try to feed it cows milk but it prob wouldn't make it and that goats milk would be better. So he and the fawn loaded up and headed to walmart to get some goats milk and a bottle. He fed the fawn that night but unfortunately it didn't make it. Just thought this was kind of a cool story and I'd share it with everyone.

I am just guessing, but I don't think that fawn was born when the doe was hit. It was probably born recently though, just doesn't look like on the same night. But, I could be wrong

Cool story though...too bad the fawn didn't make it.

Agree, at least he tried.

Can't blame him for trying

Agreed.
I believe there is now a special milk made for just this purpose and sold at Pet stores. When I was growing up I some how became the kid that everyone donated orphaned animals too - baby raccoons, squirrels, crows, etc. After they grew up it was great to see the reactions from people when I had a squirrel or crow on my shoulder or a raccoon on a leash.

It still had afterbirth on it, this pic was taken after he cleaned it up at the house and was on the way to walmart.

Nice story. The milk from the doe is very high in colostrum at birth. It carries a higher protein and antibodies to boost the immune system which are needed in the first 48 hours after birth and critical to survival. If they do not get it survival goes down vastly. Not just any milk will do. Surprised the GW told you what to do since it is illegal to keep the fawn captive and in human contact.

Hats off to that GW for being human. Sad but heartwarming story. Thanks for sharing.

It is illegal to keep a fawn or have it in captivity, but there are times that exceptions are made by the local authorities. Once the animal has been removed from its habitat illegally, measures can be allowed to insure it has the best oppurtunity for survival. The law is in place to protect the fawns from being removed unneccesarily, not to insure they die if they are left on their own.


I have a buddy that has "adopted" three fawns that were turned over to the vet where his wife works. He took them to his ranch where they were bottled raised and fed. They were free to come and go as they wanted and the ears were tagged to allow for identification and to keep them from being shot by hunters. All three are now between the age of 3-7 and are doing well with the native herd.

The local GW's were aware of the situation and would even stop in and check on the deer when they were in the area.

(And I am pretty sure that the pens at many high fence operations would be considered captivity, but that is another argument.)

Your FIL is a good man. Sorry to hear they didn't make it.

Your FIL is a good man,to bad they didnt make it though.Last year I rescued two kid goats from our place,no idea where they came from,my brother wanted to leave them in the pasture but I couldnt do it so I took them to the local feed store and gave them to the owner,they ended up being stars of the Tolar christmas living nativity scene,it feels good to do the right thing.

Man That Sucks wish it would have pulled through and made it. Kudo's to you FIL for trying his best to make sure it survived.

That is what I thought too. My ex had her dog shot while chasing a fawn/doe a man across the road found abandoned and kept in a fenced dog kennel. (I was stopped by the MIL that night from going out and shooting the caged deer. I was young and stupid. Crawling around a mans house at night, in camo, with a gun is a good way to get shot. But he shot her/our dog. Beautiful husky.)

FIL did an honorable thing by trying to save it!!!

X2

cool story

Clostrum can be bought at Tractor Supply and it is pretty much universal in regard to most animals. You can feed it for about 1 1/2 to 2 days. If anyone else gets permission to try to save a fawn, you might try this recipe rather than the powder supplement that you get at feed stores. Powdered milk causes bloat in baby goats and it is hard to get just the right mixture.

Use 1 gallon of regular milk. Pour out about 2 cupfuls and add 1 can of evaporated milk and 1 cup of regular buttermilk, then fill the gallon up with however much it will hold of the same regular milk you poured out. I use this formula with baby goats and have not had any trouble with it. Plus, all the ingredients in this formula can be bought at a grocery store.