How to Provide Care for Captive White Tail Deer

The wildlife in America are being forced closer and closer into residential areas by the destruction of their natural habitat, and human development of what was once open range lands and forest. For every acre of land being developed, it’s estimated that as many as 6 different species of wildlife are adversely effected by the loss, and this doesn‘t even include the insects. When native wildlife becomes displaced by development, they are quite often unable to sustain themselves in their new habitat. Coons have invaded city trash cans, opossums have been known to come inside through pet doors and eat pet food. Mountain Lions in California have attempted to make prey out of joggers. Bears have wandered into backyards. The wildlife haven’t gone crazy - they are simply going hungry. As the forest lands and rangelands disappear, the wildlife has little choice but to enter civilization in search of food.

Because a grazing white tail deer crossed a fence and came onto my property, my own dogs gave chase. This was far from the first time that native wildlife has came into the yard. Not long ago we were having trouble with skunks sneaking into the yard - so I assumed the dogs had likely encountered a skunk. My husband yelled for the dogs to return, trying to get them back before they got sprayed, but they continued their chase. Skunks are notorious for breaking into chicken pens, killing adult chickens, and eating eggs. So my husband began to walk around and inspect the fencing around the barn yard. He’d only taken a few steps when he saw the fresh deer tracks. He noticed there were two sets, an adult and a tiny fawn’s tracks. He told me there was a very good chance a baby white tail deer was laying in our yard somewhere, hiding.