With more activity picking up in farm fields across the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area, more deer are also on the move. 

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Aron Arthur says June is a busy month where there is a huge spike in deer versus vehicle collisions that happen on the roadways. He urges motorists to be more aware of increased deer movement, in case an animal is going across the road. Arthur talks about another issue where he receives several phone calls that are related to deer fawning season. 

“People run into this baby fawn laying there like it’s sleeping and think that it’s in distress,  they’re not, that’s a natural thing. The mothers leave them there to keep the scent away, it help keeps the predator away. They’re naturally scent free at that age and they are spotted to be camouflaged, so they’re there to be safe. The mother is usually somewhere in the area, they do come back and feed them.” 

Arthur points out the main problem that happens while the fawning season is going on.

“The biggest mistake that we have is people pick them up, and I always tell them, I say, ‘Put it back where it was at, because mom will be back to feed them.’  We do not rehab deer in Iowa anymore, so it’s not good if you pick them up. Because of CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) we do not rehab them to help prevent the spread of that disease. So, the best thing is leave them in the wild.”  

Arthur adds that if people see any other wildlife animals that appears to be injured, the DNR does have rehabilitation staff that can help by calling 515-725-8200. According to the DNR, if someone hits a deer with their vehicle, they can contact them for a salvage tag, which allows the driver to take the animal legally from the roadway.