Boy, will I hear about this one :) jd. <>< WE Should Have Known! According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year-the only members of the deer family, Cervidae, to have females do so. Male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen.......had to be a girl! We should've known that since they were always able to find their way!