It's that time of year: Okotoks' resident mule deer are giving birth.
With deer typically giving birth in late May and early June, fawn sightings are being reported in Okotoks and Foothills County.
Fawns are typically left on their own for long periods of time, remaining motionless and well-camouflaged to hide from predators while their mother grazes. If fawns are spotted without an adult, do not disturb them. Their mother is nearby and they are hiding from predators.
Does can have anywhere from one to three fawns, which are able to stand and walk shortly after birth but depend on their mother for the first few weeks.
Does can be aggressive towards anything — including passersby and dogs — perceived to be a threat to their fawns.
“The odd time we get some aggressive behaviour from the deer,” said Gordon White, urban forestry parks technician with the Town of Okotoks. “Typically, it's a doe with a newborn or young fawn, and those can be protective and can act aggressive.
“All the reports that have come in typically include a dog. People walking dogs, the dogs appear to be a threat to the deer, because they probably resemble coyotes.”
Never get between an adult deer and its offspring, give deer an appropriate amount of space, and keep dogs on a leash.
Based on annual deer counts conducted by the Town of Okotoks, the deer population in Okotoks has been steadily increasing. The first count in 2015 tallied 66 deer, a number which had increased to 108 by the 2020 count. Results from the 2024 deer count, conducted on Feb. 28, have yet to be shared.
