Based on many years in the meat business, I have to say that the coloration of the fat in the deer you processed was based on what it was eating.
If you had been here a month ago we processed a dairy cow for a farmer friend of ours. Dairy cows have a diet that is primarly grass and alfalfa which causes the fat to turn yellow.
Beef cattle on the other hand are primarly fed grains which causes the fat to be white. The next time you're in the supermarket observe the grade (i.e, USDA Choice) and the fat color of the beef.
We normally start processing venison that was taken with crop damage permits in July and August. At this time the deer are primarly eating grass and alfalfa out in the fields, As a result the deer we process will tend to have yellowish tints in the little bit of fat they have in the summer. As fall approachs the grain crops ripen and deer will start to raid the barely, corn, soy beans, etc. this will start their fat taking on the white color.
Your deer was most likely eating more grases than grain, which caused the yellow fat.
Dave
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