As an 18th century (colonial) re-enactor, the deer we hunt (whitetail) was called the Virginia red deer in the trade documents of the period. The hide was highly prized in Europe because of its softness, making it perfect for gloves soft bags and any other leather items needing a soft, luxurious feel. The deer was called "red deer" because it was harvested in the summer when the deer were "redder" in color. It was taken then because there were less veins and the pores were smaller, not having to support a thick winter coat of hair. Hope this helps!