Back country hunts... How tradtional do you go?

[bearsfeet]

Most the guys you see in pics or know that hunt trad and do backcountry hunts have everything extremely high tech besides the bow...

Any of you guys go full boar trad on back country hunts? Talking pack basket, no sitka or high tech clothing ect.

Share your pics if you have them!

[Biathlonman]

Not this guy, I'm running the best gear I can afford...

[awbowman]

The more comfortable you can be the harder you can hunt.

In terms of cloths , tents etc buy the best you can afford.  But, notice I didn't say most expensive which is not always the best.

[Steve O]

Back in the old days, guys used the best gear they could get their hands on.

They would kill to have what we have available today clothing, sleeping, and back country living wise.

I've been very uncomfortable out in the woods.  Not any more.

Being "traditional" is cool when there is a warm house or cabin to go back to every night.  I have very limited time to do the things I love.  I am not going to ruin it so I can look "traditional"!

[Northwoods runner]

I find it interesting that participants in many sports are beginning to discover that the new high tech isn't always the best. Wool is a perfect example. We are seeing more and more wool in hunting clothing, (I never gave mine up)and even the ski clothing industry is coming to this realization. Unfortunately some of the old miracle materials are still not readily available.
Instead of nylon for tent material I have several tents made from Egyptian cotton. Just as light as nylon but breathes. Empire canvas makes a 6.25 oz. canvas tent that is close but the best stuff is 4.25 oz. I have a anorack and wind pants made of it. The original Goretex.

[Bear Heart]

I try to upgrade as I can afford it. An example is the big agnes sleeping pad I bought last year. I like wool for day trips and accessories.
 My father went to guide school in Colorado 15 years ago. The instructor, who was many years his senior,  gave him some advice he never forgot. He said, "I love wool. Own plenty of it. But I keep hearing people say that the best part is that it keeps you warm even if it is wet. I don't want to stay wet." He then took off his outer fleece garments and fanned them near the fire. The fleece and the guide were dry in a few minutes.
Buy the best layers you can afford.

[MnFn]

Hello Levi,
I have pants and jacket that match, but usually
I end up dressed like this.
Mostly I am traditional in the style of bow only I guess.
Gary

[awbowman]

Believe me if they would have had goretex 100 years ago they would have used it

[twitchstick]

I still use wools socks, is my light weight down bag traditional  

There are some things I use that are traditional like wool and leather but when the weather is tough I like the best gear I can afford. This year it has stormed almost every day of the hunt. Two of the days the hailed was 2 to 4 inches deep and stayed on the ground for a few days. I had a few young hunters this year that learned real quick that having the right gear can keep you alive when it is cold and wet. Gore-Tex is my friend!

[Hoyt]

Actually what many consider "traditional" was new when I started..so I just do like I always have and try to use the best available.

[Northwoods runner]

By the way, be careful with some of those miracle fabrics around the campfire.

[reddogge]

I like being warm, dry and comfortable. Therefore Gore-Tex, rip stop nylon, Huge cot and pad, plastic, aluminum, titanium, or any other space age material that will allow me to remain that way.

[Orion]

My clothes are wool, and most of my gear is rather old -- 40-50 years.  Do use a lightweight high tech tent, though.

[Steve O]

All you guys wearing wool pants, keep doing it because once you try a modern pant like a Sitka Ascent, you will never wear anything else.  It is amazing to hike up the mountain without fighting against your pant with every step.  Not to mention, after you are soaked to the thigh from walking thru a meadow, 5 minutes into your climb, the pants are dry.  I've had literally a TON of wool, and I still have some select pieces like the thin Merino undergarments, but there is much, much better available.  We are blessed today to have great gear today.  No reason to be uncomfortable.  I have been PLENTY uncomfortable in the mountains.  Can't say I have been that way once in the last 10 years since I started testing new and better clothing systems.

[Deeter]

I have never used wool clothing except for socks.  The heavy stuff I wear for cold weather I got from bass pro.  Its quiet, warm on the coldest days, and keeps me dry in the heaviest rain.  I have looked at the wool camo line that cabelas offer but I spent way to much on the stuff I got from bass pro and there is nothin wrong with it.  But when it wears out I might consider wool.

[Orion]

Can't say I've ever fought with my wool, or it with me, and I've never found it uncomfortable.  Whatever floats your boat.

[Steve O]

Jerry, I did not mean to come off antagonistic.  With the 4 way stretch built into the fabric of these "modern" pants, they feel like they are helping lift your legs climb compared to wool, cotton, canvas, whatever.  When/if anyone tries them they will definitely feel a difference.

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

I own both and they both have their place. When weight is not a priority I prefer to go traditional.

I do prefer more of a tech pant but wool and canvas really seems to work around here. I also just feel more at home wearing it.

[LB_hntr]

I believe that simple is best and i combine a little of both old school and moderness into what i do. In the winter i prefer to camp in a lean to style shelter so that i can get heat from the fire. I prefer to cook over a key hole fire rather than on a camp stove. I prefer to navigate with a map and compass rather than a gps. But on the other hand i like a nice modern tent with good air flow in the summer. I use a pump filter for water more often than boiling, and like a hot shower via a solar shower with water heated over the fire. and i use a gps for blood trailing animals and grid searches. So like i said i kind of combine a little of everything.