Normally, the Tractive blog is full of cat and dog stories. But just this once, we’re making an exception to tell you the unique tale of Buckaroo the rescue fawn. See how a big-hearted animal lover in the heart of Virginia farm country keeps her deer darling – and other four-legged family members – safe with Tractive GPS trackers.

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Important note: This is the story of one Tractive GPS user. In general, Tractive does not recommend those without the right qualifications to rescue fawns or other wild animals, as this can disrupt their natural life in the wilderness. Find more info on what to do if you find an abandoned fawn at the end of the story.

Deer friends: Buckaroo the rescue fawn and her buddy Boomer

We’ll let Anna, owner of Unicorn Hollow Farm and happy Tractive GPS user, tell her one-of-a-kind tale:

It’s an unusual menagerie we have here on Unicorn Hollow Farm in Virginia. Dogs, horses, a cat, and, of course, Buckaroo, our little rescued fawn.

buckaroo the rescue deer fawn sitting on the floor with her dog friend
Buckaroo the deer hanging out with her buddy Boomer wearing a GPS tracker from Tractive.

Buckaroo an her dog friend Boomer travel far into the woods, and, without the dependable Tractive GPS and app, our lives would be worrying non-stop for their safety, especially during hunting season. You can imagine.

Before Tractive, an older farm dog went missing here. She was barely alive when she was found two days later, tangled in a branch in a stream. I knew we had to be proactive and started to research GPS units.

I’ve involved some of our neighbors in saving Buckaroo’s life by inviting them to ‘follow’ Buckaroo (now 9 months old) and Boomer on the Tractive app. People would rather interact and protect animals they can track, and make friends with, don’t you think?

Buckaroo the rescue fawn outside
Buckaroo and her Tractive GPS exploring a pond on the farm.

Thank you from everyone here at Unicorn Hollow. What a relief to have found Tractive. It’s the perfect hi-tech must-have for the animals I love.

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What to do if you find a fawn

Anna’s story is unique. In most cases if you find a deer fawn, it’s not necessary to rescue them. The mother is likely nearby, and touching the deer may only cause more problems. Here are a few tips from Wildlife Aid UK on what to do if you find a fawn:

  • Don’t touch the fawn – the mother will reject her fawn if she detects a human scent.
  • Gently walk away – the mother is likely nearby and you should try not to disturb the mother and child pair.
  • Call experts for help – in case you are really concerned about the fawn’s well-being, contact your local wildlife services for assistance.

The US National Wildlife Federation also has this to say about rescuing fawns:

  • In most cases, the ‘abandoned’ fawn is not really abandoned and does not need to be rescued. It’s normal for female deer to hide their offspring in grass or bushes while they forage, to protect them from predators.
  • In the US, rescuing fawns is illegal – fawns are better off in the wilderness, where they have a better chance of survival in their natural habitats.

For more information on dealing with wild deer, including how to tell if a fawn really needs rescuing, please read the Sonoma County Fawn Rescue FAQ sheet.

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