In a real life version of the Disney classic “Bambi,” two fawns were orphaned after a hunter shot their mother out of season in Rome Township.

If it were not for the quick actions of a volunteer firefighter, both fawns would have been left dead without any way to feed.

Dwayne Bench was able to capture one of them and take it to the Ashland Animal Clinic to be rehabilitated with the goal of releasing it later on private land. The twin, however, was unable to be found.

Bench did an extremely kind act for the fawn, which by all accounts is rehabilitating well.

Unfortunately, the poacher got away unidentified and one fawn is likely dead.

There was no reason this hunter couldn’t wait until the deer season begins in late September.

Hunting season coincides with the seasonality of deer for a reason. Female deer give birth to their fawns during the spring and early summer because this time of year gives them the greatest chance of survival.

Besides that, hunting out of season on unauthorized land is negligent on the part of the hunter and dangerous for the people who may be in the path of gunfire, unaware that a hunter is in the area.

While it seems that the majority of hunters in Lawrence County follow the rules set forth by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, a few bad apples could ruin the bunch.

If everyone follows the regulations, hunting seasons can be successful, but most of all, safe, for all hunters and residents in Lawrence County.