Local Property Owner Reminds Community To Respect Wildlife And Avoid Cutting Fences

Every spring, the Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) department reminds the community about the natural behavior of mother deer giving birth and leaving their fawns hidden while they forage. Recently, Wade Hansen, a local resident on Lakner Lane, shared his experience with this seasonal event.

Earlier this week, Hansen noticed a traffic backup on his road caused by a mother deer on one side and her fawn resting on his property across the street. The mother was patiently waiting for cars to pass so she could return to her young, remaining nearby in her quiet vigilance.

In the past, curious passersby have asked Hansen if he would open his gate to reunite the fawn with its mother. Out of respect for the natural process, he chose to leave things as they were this time. After the incident, Hansen contacted local game wardens for advice. They reassured him to let nature take its course, emphasizing that his well-maintained fence provides a safe refuge where mother deer often leave their young, knowing they are protected.

Hansen has invested considerable time and money into fencing around his eight-acre property, originally to keep livestock safe and now to prevent his dog—who roams freely—from escaping or being harmed by passing vehicles. He urges residents to be patient and respectful in such situations, advising drivers to simply keep going so the mother deer can cross safely and rejoin her fawn.

He also requests that people refrain from cutting holes in his fences or attempting to open gates to let the animals reunite. As always, when the fawns are old enough and the mother is ready, they will leave the area naturally.