A look at the other side of Deer Hunting

I've been a Whitetail Deer Hunter for the past twenty years and I have seen deer populations expand and decrease from year to year but I never really thought much about wildlife rehabilitation much less Whitetail Deer Rahabilitation until now.

As most of my posts go I come up with topics by what I see or hear or am interested in and this time it is from a page on the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection website which I had come across.

White Tailed Deer Authorization

All individuals seeking to rehabilitate white tailed deer must meet pen, care and feeding specifications before they acquire fawns or obtain a fawn rehabilitation permit. They must also adhere to the following guidelines:

1. All persons in possession of any fawn must notify the Wildlife Division when they receive each fawn. Only persons who meet pen specifications will be allowed to hold or rehabilitate fawns.
2. All fawns will be cared for in a manner specified by the DEP.
3. All fawns must have minimal human contact while under a rehabilitator's care.
4. Any person who acquires any white-tailed fawn must release fawns on the date and in the location specified by the Wildlife Division Deer Biologist. These decisions will be made on a case by case basis.
5. The Wildlife Division must have the final decision in the disposition of all fawns.
6. The Wildlife Division will ear tag all white-tailed fawns being rehabilitated.
7. If any fawn dies while in captivity, the Wildlife Division must be notified immediately.

How to Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator in Connecticut

Wildlife rehabilitator applicants must be 18 years of age or older.  Every applicant must complete the following requirements prior to being considered for appointment:

• Complete a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator application.
• Attend Connecticut's Wildlife Rehabilitation Seminar and pass a state examination with 80% or better.
• Provide verification of having completed 40 hours of training under an authorized Connecticut rehabilitator with at least 3 years of experience by completing a Statement of Apprenticeship.
• Provide verification of having veterinary services by completing a Statement of Veterinary Support.

For Requirements and Types of Authorization click here: 

For further information, contact Laurie Fortin of the Wildlife Division at (860) 424-3963, laurie.fortin@ct.gov, or send postal mail to:

Laurie Fortin
Connecticut DEP
Wildlife Division
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT  06106-5127

COURTESY PHOTO/CEC SANDERS:  Cec and Tom Sanders bottle-feed 10 of the 14 fawns that were in their care this year at Wet Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Wetmore. The fawns have since been returned to the wild.