Adult Deer
This page is for adult deer. If you are looking for help with a fawn click here
Adult Deer and Rehabilitation
Adult deer are not easy rehabilitation candidates. Unlike fawns, adult deer already know the freedom of the wild, and trying to capture or confine them can be extremely dangerous, both for the deer and for the rescuer. The intense stress and panic of being confined can cause a condition called capture myopathy, a stress-induced muscle breakdown that affects the heart and other major organs, and unfortunately, it’s almost always fatal.
New York State Regulations
In New York State, only licensed wildlife rehabilitators who hold a Large Animal, White-Tailed Fawn permit are allowed to temporarily care for adult deer, and even then, only for up to 48 hours. At this time, no rehabilitators in Rockland County hold this permit. There are very few rehabilitators across the entire New York State who are both experienced and properly equipped to safely handle adult deer. Facilities that can do so typically have multiple fenced acres of land, ideally adjacent to protected or undeveloped land where deer can safely be released with minimal human contact.
Future Plans & Community Support
Rockland Wildlife hopes to one day obtain a White-Tailed Fawn rehabilitation permit. To make that possible, we will need several acres of land that meet these criteria. If you know of a property that might be suitable or someone who would be open to partnering with us please reach out. Your connection could help make this goal a reality and allow us to better serve our local wildlife.
🚨 If You Find an Injured ADULT Deer in Rockland County:
Do not attempt to touch, feed, speak to, capture, or move the adult deer.
Observe from a safe distance. If the adult deer is on or near a road, do not approach; contact local authorities to prevent accidents.
If the adult deer is able to get around, even if they are only walking on three legs, the kindest thing to do is let the deer be. Adult deer are incredibly resilient and can thrive on three legs, often recovering well from injuries on their own.
If the adult deer is severely injured, unable to get up, or suffering, contact your local police department, animal control, or the DEC for the deer to be humanely dispatched.
For information on orphaned or injured fawns please click here
While Rockland Wildlife can assist with the rescue and immediate stabilization of fawns, Rockland County currently does not have a New York State–licensed large mammal rehabilitator or facility (for species like white-tailed deer, black bears, or moose). The only wildlife rescue in our region that is legally permitted to rehabilitate and release white-tailed fawns is Animal Nation in Westchester County. They can be reached at 914-400-6014.