Sex identification of white-tailed deer using frozen venison

Fluids from frozen muscle tissue taken from 449 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were analyzed using a radioimmunoassay technique for testosterone. Comparing 309 deer sampled in early November, antlered males had significantly higher tissue testosterone levels (range = 0.18 to 16.00 ng/mL) than females (range = 0.00 to 0.18 ng/mL) while antlerless (fawn) males overlapped both groups (range = 0.00 to 0.68 ng/mL). Samples taken from 132 deer from January through August showed no differences among ages or sexes. Antlered males can be differentiated from females during the breeding season.