Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: wolfhunter4life on June 02, 2012, 05:49:00 PM
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I live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and I was wondering about plaid for hunting. I hunt trails some and bait hunt some too. Bears are no biggie but wise old whitetails are another deal. I have a hard enough time hiding 15ft high in full camo from a smart old doe...let alone in plaid. I like the looks of plaid and want to "hunt" more traditional than with just a longbow and wooden arrows. Any photos or advice is much appreciated.
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(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/IMG_3908.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/IMG_1481.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/IMG_0644.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010175.jpg)
I started hunted in plaid several years back. I mainly hunt spot and stalk except for whiteys, bears, and antelope. Keeping movement to a minimum and having the wind right is the most important.
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(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020297.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010898.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/IMG_0535.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010039.jpg)
A few more pics for ya. As you see, I have a fave shirt. I have been wearing it for several years. Plaids don't seem to fade out fast like the "camo" ones do. Good stuff! Cotton in warm weather, wool in cold.
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(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020725.jpg)
This plaid shirt cost me $3 at the thrift store. I shot the 2 above antelope wearing it as well. I got my moneys worth. :thumbsup:
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Wow Tracy.. :scared: ..you've gotta a whole room full of critters there. :thumbsup: Way to go man.
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quote:
Originally posted by joekeith:
Wow Tracy.. :scared: ..you've gotta a whole room full of critters there. :readit:
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I have worn plaid more times than I can count and had it perform better(camo-wise) than "real" camo.
My success is nothing compared to previous posts though.....
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VERY NICE!!!! Plaid it is! I was thinking about hawking my local Thrift stores looking for plaid shirts. I'd feel alot better about wearing a $5 plaid traditional looking shirt vs a $350 camo jacket. I'm done with the hi tech garbage...I pretty much stopped watching the outdoor channel too. Not a fan of having products praised, and pushed on me 24/7 while trying to watch an average man's outdoor show. Thanks for posting the pics!
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I actually seem to have more success in plaid than I did when I wore the newer camo. I have been busted moving in plaid and they seem more curious and come in closer.
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Plaid is the way to go. Warm, quiet and comfy. On blustery days, Teresa Asbell's wind blocker vest beneath the wool is a life saver.
Danny
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Youd be surprised how well a good plaid works as camo. Ive had animals in close and look right through me. I have seen plaid work better than some commercial camo on humans who see color too. Youd be sold if you gave it a try.
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Tracy has made me a believer. He's laid down some quality trophies! Others using wool plaid in winter and cotton in summer too?
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I don't wear plaid. I know the critters don't care but I like the new high-tech clothing as much for the fit and feel as for the camo pattern.
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I wear plaid for the comfort of it,it is quiter than most camo material.Ha,i have one light jacket that is 20 years old,just can't bear to get rid of it.
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I have both plaids and camo and seem to be wearing the plaid most of the time. My success has not been diminished by the plaid.
D.P.
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Dan Fitzgerald. Red and black paid and blue jeans.
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My experience is about like Dave's. I feel that a soft wool is much less noticed by critters than a printed "camo" hard finish. With the wool plaids, even if I'm noticed, deer will quickly lose interest as long as I don't move. Obviously, I have plenty of confidence in this shirt. The last two deer were shot from a natural brush ground blind.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/Fletcher610/Hero%20Pics/Buck05.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/Fletcher610/Hunts%202011/doe4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/Fletcher610/Hunts%202011/PB040367.jpg)
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I think Tracy answered your question for you with quite a detailed explanation.You'll find that many on here use nothing else.
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Wolfie, what size do you wear?
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Awesome pics and stories Gang! I too think I am being converted in my belief now. I am a newbie so it is easy to get sold on the expensive camos out there. It's interesting that a symmetrical pattern of horizontal and vertical lines can do as well as crazy squiggles, fake leaves, and hugely contrasting, asymmetrical designs.
Anyone been successful on turkey in plaid?
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I wear both, and both work great.Look how well Fletchers shirt blends in in the pics. As good as any specialty camo.
I (personally) more like to think of "trad" as using what you have though. Often self made.
The crowds seem to be leaning towards making wearing a certain clothing and wearing a certain style hat the "norm" for traditional. I dont think a guy in dressy plaid with a brimmed hat is any more trad than a guy in a tree with a longbow with a realtree suit on. I have heard a few of the female animals commenting on how well dressed they are though. :D
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I have no plaid. But I might just buy some. Speciality camo has its perks. I have some windblocker that works great. I wear camo for the features you just cant get in plaid. Maybe someone needs to start making some plaid jackets with pockets, windblocker,hood,handwarmer pockets and such. Some folks might say you dont need all that and you dont but it sure is nice.
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I use both. I think you can find plaid with all the frills if you want to look and pay. For close up turkey vision I think the latest camo might have an edge, but at a distance I think plaid breaks up the human shape better. Slow and still are the two best camo's out there. I just have to master that part of the equation.
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Defer to my TG brothers above in the great pix! Haven't worn commercial camo in over 35 years.
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nice pics Shedrock
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I'm sold....plaid it is. Big sale on **** coming up....
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I haven't killed anything while wearing plaid, but I sure look good in the woods! :)
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Tracey, love it! great photos you've got there, thanks for sharing. Are you hunting whitetails close to home?
The other thing about plaid is that it is just plain more comfy.
Heck, who needs hi-tech gear? as long as I've got my shades...
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn33/elkbreath/fulldraw2-4.jpg)
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plaid looks great in the woods!i got to go to the thrift store and get me one
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Just about all I use in early season
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/Kagyone/moose2.jpg)
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Plaids are just another great camo pattern to add to your collection!!!
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Where would you find good plaid?
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wore plaids for years and sill have a closet full. works for me just fine
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plaid is all I wear,material depends on how cold it is
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Some camo patterns are actually too similar in tones and they become one big blob in an animals eyes. Plaid breaks up the solid shape, and that's all you need.
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Plaids are great camo, but I happen to allready have good enough camo, and cant see dumping it, and going out and buying plaid just "to be more traditional". If plaid is what I had, i'd use it, but to me its all about frugality. I have an old german surplus OD green wool sweater that gets used alot, and it is not camo. I had 2 hunters stop under my tree on public land and have a conversation before moving on, they never saw me in that old sweater, and gray wool pants. Could have double lunged 'em both ! LOL :D
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Originally posted by randy grider:
Could have double lunged 'em both ! LOL :D
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Nice moose, Gun. Good to see you again!
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The thing I really appreciate about plaid? It doesn't make me look fat!
As important as plaid, I think, is the material. Wool is not as reflective as man-made materials.
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The last couple of yrs. I have been buying wool plaids of different weights instead of camo. I still use both.
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Wolfhunter4life - Check out www.gfredasbell.com (http://www.gfredasbell.com)
The Asbells are constantly searching out....even having wool custom dyed....plaid patterns that are both pleasing to the eye, and provide excellent camoflauge in the bush.
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Love plaids!
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Two words: Fred Bear.
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Please, I mean no offense to anyone with my comments. I usually wear camo and have had good results with it.
I like the looks of the plaid in some of the photos in this thread and it is obvious that it must work pretty well too.
As to expense, I don't see why anyone should complain about the cost of camo after looking at the cost of some of the advertised plaids I see here.
I do like that brown or tan colored plaid though.
Joe
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Joe,
I'm like you, even as great as it may be and last forever, I'm just not going to spend hundreds and hundred of dollars on KOM or SI wool hunting clothes.
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I use both. Lately I've been building up my wool collection after years of layering with the stuff. Most of it came from thrift stores for very cheap. Cotton plaids work well in the early season.
I'm with you guys about the cost of some of the wool stuff being too expensive, some of that is more than a new bow...
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Someone needs to market lightweight plaids for warm weather hunting, like a technical fishing shirt but a med. dark plaid.
Columbia and others make plaid fishing shirts but they are too light in tone for where I hunt, Florida.
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Originally posted by GreyGoose:
Two words: Fred Bear.
I don't know, most of the photos I've seen of Fred he was wearing camo, specifically his WW2 pattern camo in the coats he sold. He was a promoter of what he manufactured for sure.
Hey, plaids aren't any better than camo or visa versa but if wearing plaid makes you feel better or more traditional, wear it.
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Shedrock. Great photos!
I like to see results, they mean much more to me than "theories".
Nice job!!
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If it was good enough for Howard Hill and Fred Bear and others....
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/1966kodiak/Bowdeer2010008.jpg)
This isn't even plaid but the tan and green wool melted right into these old oaks. Shot the deer at 5 yards.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/1966kodiak/BowBuck09.jpg)
This soft wool plaid blended in great with the hemlocks and golden rod.
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Very nice pics! Nice shooting too Wapiti! I have some cabelas wool and fleece outifitter camo...tops and pants. I'll keep an eye on the thrift stores and snag up some cheap plaid.
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i would love to wear wool plaids but too hot here for most of season....might try a lightweight one from G.Fred or see if I can find something in a cotton or synthetic that has the dull no glare surface with the pattern I like.
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Originally posted by reddogge:
Originally posted by GreyGoose:
Two words: Fred Bear.
I don't know, most of the photos I've seen of Fred he was wearing camo, specifically his WW2 pattern camo in the coats he sold. He was a promoter of what he manufactured for sure.
Hey, plaids aren't any better than camo or visa versa but if wearing plaid makes you feel better or more traditional, wear it. [/b]
Reddogge, come to think of it, you're probably right, especially in terms of actual hunting photos. There are a lot of "studio" quality pictures of Mr. Bear drawing a bow while wearing gray trousers, a plaid shirt, and that iconic hat, too, which instantly spring to mind.
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I like plaid. Depends on the pattern. Teresa Asbell has some good ones. http://gfredasbell.com/gfa_wool_clothing.php
And Roger Norris just started selling one called the Silent Stalker. http://traditionalwoodsman.com/?page_id=484
I like solid colors too, but it's tough to beat a good plaid...
todd
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Great pictures and a true testament to spot and stalk the old fashion way. :thumbsup:
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This thread reminds me of a great line from Mel Brooks' "Space Balls;" "They've gone to plaid!"
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Wolfhunter4life,
Up in the UP, you should be able to find some great plaids in materials of all sorts - especially wools, in the thrift stores. The men up there have been wearing plaids for generations and many knew how to keep the wool in great condition.
I got a Filson, red, green, and black plaid shirt from Michigan for $12. It was GREAT - until my wife washed and dryered it. Now it looks good on ny 10 year old nephew.
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Originally posted by jimmerc:
Plaids are just another great camo pattern to add to your collection!!!
Just to add to this, The green and black plaid wool shirt in my profile pic is my faverote for cooler weather(60 and below) I also like flannel for warmer temps(60 and above)
This is a pic from the other day, I was out stumping,hanging trail cams ,scouting frog hunting! This was a over night adventure, Had the wife drop me off at 9 am friday and pic me back up 4pm saterday!temps were 85 for highs and 58 at night! No tent,no sleeping bags! I was comfy and just at home!!
(http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn339/JDCOWLES69/P5160002.jpg)
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I wear a lot of it in the early season. Cheap cotton that you can buy anywhere. Works great.
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For the warm early season just wear a palid sports shirt, then use flannel or wool as the season progresses. I am using more plaid now just for the heck of it but still wear lots of cammies also, much of which is over 30 years old and still going strong.
It looks kind of funny but sometimes mixing plaid with camo patterns really can be effective. Just be prepared from some rather strange looks from others.