Newly Permitted for Deer and Small Mammals

Hi there, just wanted to clear the air and introduce myself. I live in a fairly small city are, but about 10 miles out in the country. We have a nice piece of land, and lots of animals. Pygmy and Boer Goats are my passion. Well, I now have a buck fawn and I know it is gonna be rough. This is hunting country. Right after i got him, (his mother was hit by a car), i called the vet and the game warden, my vet deals with deer farmers. He (game warden) came out, visited for awhile talking, making calls, and gave me a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. Alabama no longer allows a "permit" to have A DEER, too many fools thought they would stay cute. It is very hard to find any rehabbers in this area, and I have the time and resources to handle it. Kids are grown, and hubby works alot. I do realize that a buck fawn will grow into a BUCK and may even have to go down if he doesnt go back out and stay with the deer (nice group of does) like he belongs. I know how they are in rut but I should be ok this year as he will stil lbe fairly young. GW said he would be good for release probably around February or March. No one but me is allowed near him (I call him Itty Bitty) or to handle or tend to him, he is off from the family and pets. We guessed he is about 2 weeks old now. Conservation officer (we still call him game warden around here ) said he hadnt seen one this tiiny in a long while.

]My plan is to get him out to a confined safe pen in the next month, then transitioned out to the woods or at least the pasture where he can easily jumps the fences (wild ones do all the time). Once he goes outside i will only see him to put feed out and limit my exposure.



He is eating baby rice cereal and bananas (a little) and is on Sav A Kid. plus he will drink water out of the bowl He really has grown..he does pee and potty very well. I keep him in a large crate with blankets and a cover in a separate room away from everyone right now. we do go outside to the kennel (totally closed in) for some yard time.



I am here just looking for some help and have been reading nonstop for days. I am not new to deer or any animals, but there is always something new to learn. You folks amaze me.......



I should be listed on the Alabama website soon as my paperwork makes it to the main office, but i have my copy here.



I totally understand and appreciate that these rehabs are NOT pets. If i wanted a pet, wait, i have pets.....I hope to do this little guy justice, and would appreciate any advice. So u will see me browsing the forums, and probably comeenting or asking questions. I'll post pics if anyone is interested



Thanks

I am in Butler County.. yeah, i was told he would be with "me" for awhile before he could be turned back out. I have every intention of doing this the correct way. I will just take what is brought to me, and do my best to get them back to mother nature when the time is right.



mostly just looking for some generally info or hints on feeding. doing good on the bottle (had to go to walmart for newborn bottles and nipples, didnt like the pritchard ones as they are too big), drinking water out of the bowl, a little "grass" outside. fixin to do a nite feeding now. kind of funny that he is not interested in eating at nite at all. i was getting up at 2 to feed, he isnt interested..if only my kids were that easy....lol

oh yeah, i will be transitioning him outside, but confined, then later out to the pasture as he grows, then he can come and go out of the pasture as the "local" wild ones do.........at least thats the plan

what do you mean "not dry" in reference to the dirt? I also gave him a dose of Probios to ease with the stress last week. luckily i have plenty of basic meds and stuff on hand from bottle feeding goats.....

ok, another question.. i think he will be too young to go in the rut this year? am i correct? my son says a year to a year and a half.......

my main concern is that i am having to have physical contact with him. i have to do the potty (he is started to pee some on his own ) thing with warm unscented baby wipes and the bottle. u still have to hold your hand under his chin at times to keep the bottle in or he just licks it



wow, i didnt realize that there were hard antlers or breeding at around 6 months....

i was hoping to get another one about the same age, but a doe, that he could bond with.. but i havent heard back yet.........

ah Tuscaloosa.ROLL TIDE ROLL..........thats the only concern about a buck. i figured next year will be his year of the rut. 3 options, grow and find some does to go stay in the woods with, be hunted next year, or go into rut and get nasty around people and be put down.......i am trying to avoid the 3rd, hoping for the first ! my plan is to really distance myself once he gets outside, i'd rather have him bond with the goats than me then



I really appreciate all the help.....

and how would you NOT let him go? cant keep him confined outside....would it be better to saw the horns off?

thank you so much.. i will do that





Rene

thanks Rick that is my plan..no one but me is around him. i dont even let the dogs around him as I dont want him to get comfy around them either



oh, for with a little doe, i wouldnt have these many worries ! lol

gee how hard is that? i will look into it....



well, while getting him fed and pottying this morning his stools are loose. not too bad yet, but mustard colored and too much water in them. is it the formula? using Sav a kid per directions.wonder if it is too rich. . do i need to try pepto bismol or kaopectate? our scours med that i have for the goats? been fine up till this morning.. otherwise behavior and appetite are great