Leave the Young Wild Animals Alone

It's springtime. You come across the young deer in the woods - all alone. It appears to be orphaned. What do you do? Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists and wardens want you to leave them alone.

Region 2 Wildlife Captain Joe Jaquith said, "It's normal for adult deer and elk to leave their young alone for extended periods of time. They usually return and young animals do well on their own, even for a few days." Vivaca Crowser reports that many calls have been received by people who want to help the lone animals. Jaquith said, "Animals often thrive without human intervention and their odds of surviving in the wild are much greater if they are left alone." Getting too close to wildlife causes stress and if the animal is picked up, the human scent is transferred to them. Also, keep your pets leashed or close to your side. The FWP does not accept, hold or rehabilitate deer and elk because they rarely survive the stress of captivity and there are increased chances of spreading disease. Again - Leave Them Alone!