Squirrel Friends Wildlife Rescue

North Carolina Regulations Regarding Rehabilitating Fawn and Deer

Due to the serious threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), North Carolina enforces strict regulations that prohibit the transport of deer across county lines and ban the rehabilitation of adult or orphaned white-tailed deer in designated surveillance areas.

Recognizing When a Fawn Needs Help

During fawning season, it’s common to find young deer lying alone. In most cases, this is completely normal, the mother is likely nearby and intentionally staying away to avoid attracting predators.

Here’s what the NC Wildlife Resources Commission advises:

• Does nurse their fawns only 2–3 times per day, usually at dawn and dusk.
• It’s normal for a fawn to be left alone for up to 12 hours or more at a time.
• A healthy fawn will remain quiet and still, waiting for the mother to return.

Do NOT intervene unless:

• The fawn is crying continuously or following people/pets
• You see visible injuries, maggots, or it’s in danger (e.g. in a road)
• You know the mother is dead (e.g. hit by car nearby)
• The fawn is still alone and in the same spot after 24 hours

If you’re unsure, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before taking any action.

In North Carolina, regulations concerning Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and wildlife rehabilitation are designed to prevent the spread of this fatal neurological disease among deer populations. Here’s an overview of the current laws and guidelines:

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Regulation

CWD Surveillance Areas:

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has designated specific counties as CWD Surveillance Areas for the 2025–2026 hunting season:

• Primary Surveillance Areas (PSA): Cumberland, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin
• Secondary Surveillance Areas (SSA): Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Bladen, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Iredell, Robeson, Rockingham, and Sampson

These designations aim to monitor and manage the spread of CWD within the state.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Laws

Fawn Rehabilitation Restrictions:

In response to CWD concerns, the following regulations are in place:

• Prohibited: Rehabilitating white-tailed deer fawns within Primary and Secondary Surveillance Areas.
• Prohibited: Transporting fawns out of Surveillance Areas for rehabilitation purposes.

These measures are intended to prevent the inadvertent spread of CWD through human intervention.

General Wildlife Rehabilitation Guidelines:

In North Carolina, it is illegal to keep most wildlife species without a permit. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are the only individuals authorized to care for injured or orphaned wildlife.

Other Restrictions

Carcass Transport Restrictions:

To minimize the risk of CWD transmission, the following restrictions apply within Surveillance Areas:

• Prohibited: Transporting whole cervid carcasses or parts containing brain or spinal tissue out of the county of origin.
• Allowed: Transporting deboned meat, caped hides without skull or spinal parts, cleaned antlers, cleaned lower jawbones, and finished taxidermy products.

These measures help prevent the spread of CWD to unaffected areas.

Use of Attractants and Scents:

Within Surveillance Areas, the use of natural deer urine or other cervid excretions for hunting purposes is prohibited unless:

• The products are synthetic and labeled accordingly.
• They originate from facilities in North Carolina with a valid Farmed Cervid License and are properly labeled.

These restrictions aim to reduce the potential spread of CWD through contaminated materials.

Reporting and Assistance

If you encounter a sick or injured deer, especially within a Surveillance Area:

• Contact the NC Wildlife Helpline: 1-866-318-2401 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
• After Hours: Call the Wildlife Enforcement Division at 1-800-662-7137

For more information on CWD and wildlife regulations, visit the NCWRC’s Chronic Wasting Disease page.

NCWRC’s Press Resease Dated May 16, 2025: Wildlife Commission Announces 2025-2026 CWD Surveillance Areas