June marks the height of birthing season for Colorado wildlife. Having a front row seat to watch nature renew itself is one of the greatest perks of living in the shadow of Pikes Peak, but it’s a privilege that comes with some responsibility.

“We like for the public to have some understanding of natural behaviors to avoid unnecessary disruptions and confrontations with wildlife during the baby season,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer Drew Vrbenec said.

Though just about every species in Teller County gives birth in the spring, the most encountered large animal offspring are deer, elk, moose and bears.

In the coming weeks, deer fawning begins in earnest, and residents may come across fawns alone on the ground.

“It’s important for residents to know that finding a fawn by itself is perfectly normal,” said Vrbenec. “Baby deer are born without scent, and mothers will often leave their young to go recuperate after giving birth—this is not abandonment. And for as long as the fawn is nursing, it is normal for a mother to hide her fawn to go forage on her own. The mother can be gone anywhere from 1-12 hours, but chances are she’s not too far away.”

Elk and Moose may also leave their young for extended periods of time.

“Every year, we have a herd of elk who like to calf on our property,” Pam Camilliere of Divide said. “The first time I saw a mother elk give birth and then just walk away, I couldn’t believe it. But now, it’s just what they do. We know she’ll be back.”

Assuming a fawn on the ground is not in imminent danger or badly injured, it’s best to observe from a distance. If the mother does not return after 24-hours or if the fawn is showing signs of severe dehydration (extreme lethargy or the tips of the ears curling) then a call to the Colorado Springs CPW office is warranted.

“Don’t try to intervene on your own,” said Vrbenec. “Moving the baby or offering it fluids can make a bad situation worse.”

Moving a fawn can lead to permanent abandonment.

“If the mother comes back for it, and it’s not there, there’s a good chance she will move on and not return,” Vrbenec said. “Then again, if you pick up a fawn and it makes a stress bleat, the mother may come charging to defend her baby and you could get hurt.”

Docile wildlife can change dramatically when defending their young.

“When you go out into nature this time of year, you need to be especially aware of your surroundings,” Vrbenec said. “And make sure children and pets aren’t going to harm young wildlife or accidentally trigger aggression from the mother.”

Being extra careful with your pets during the baby season is important for both the safety of wildlife and your pets.

“You may want to think twice about taking your dogs into moose country,” Vrbenec said, “but if you do, keeping your dog on a leash is smart.”

Moose are notorious for attacking dogs (and their people)—due to their size and aggressive disposition, a mother moose can be as dangerous a mother bear when she’s protecting her young.

Mother bears give birth mid-winter while hibernating, and they tend to come out of hibernation a few weeks later than boars. By mid-March, sows with cubs begin to emerge, and mother bears are fiercely protective of their young.

“With the drought conditions coming into spring, we are expecting a rough bear year,” Vrbenec said. “In drought years, we tend to see them drawn closer to people seeking easy food, so we remind people to be diligent about getting rid of attractants.”

Though moose and bears have a reputation for potential human conflict, they do not seek it out. Behaving responsibly and understanding wildlife instincts will lead to a peaceful coexistence.

“Hold your neighbors responsible,” Vrbenec said. “Talk to them about dogs at large or humans harassing wildlife. Discourage them from intentionally feeding wildlife or leaving trash out overnight. Talk to your kids and make sure they understand their responsibilities too.”

There is a common refrain for interacting with wildlife—don’t interact with wildlife.

“This time of year, CPW gets a lot of calls that are easily remedied by giving wildlife their space and respect,” Vrbenec said. “Some maternal behaviors may seem harsh but are perfectly natural.”

Teller County is under the jurisdiction of the CPW Southeast Regional Office in Colorado Springs. The main number is (719) 227-5200.227-5200