The tensile deformation characteristics of compact bone from deer antler were measured in both the "dry" and "wet" states and compared with published values for bovine compact bone. The tensile strength in the wet state (108 +/- 5.1 MN/m2) was comparable to the value for bovine compact bone tested at the same strain rate. The modulus values was very low: 7.5 +/- 0.9 GN/m2. The work to fracture was comparatively high, about 3 times that for bovine compact bone. Fractographic examination revealed fibrillar and osteonal shear for samples fractured in the dry state. In the samples tested in the wet state, some regions exhibited pullout of lamellar segments from within a Haversian system. The results are explained in terms of the higher collagen content and lesser degree of mineralization in the antler.