Every state has different laws concerning exotic pets, and deer are included in this category. In most states, it is illegal to own an exotic pet unless the owner is given a special permit.
Captive deer pose a threat to wildlife, domestic animals and people around them. Since they are kept in pens that are small, it is easy for diseases to be transmitted. People who encounter baby deer in the wild should leave them, as the mothers are usually in the area nearby. If humans touch the baby fawn, it can cause the mother to abandon it. To be able to keep a deer as a pet, people must typically contact the state's Department of Natural Resources to get permission.