Hunting Orange Balmoral

[tulloch]

Ok, Nick, in the interests of avoiding hunting accidents here in our beloved Massachusetts we will construct what may become a new standard for hunter safety attire. I will email you some information on yarn and we will discuss the colors, dicing pattern and so on. As soon as I have the necessary info I will order the yarn.

[Singlemalt]

You know what I used to have one and I liked it quite a bit. It was a blaze orange balmoral "Curling Tam" made by, I think, Parkhurst Knitting Mills in Toronto. It was a nice heavy material and warm and practical. Worn on top of my ears, tipped over my right eye, in a traditional way most of the time but pulled down over my ears when the real cold winds blow. I lost it on a hunting trip quite a few years ago and never have been able to find another. May be a niche market for first maker to market.

On the issue of safety, statistically hunting in Canada is safer than tennis or golf. I don't think our average hunter is any less safe or careful than their British brothers in field sports. The difference is in how hunting is conducted. It is my understanding that in Britain it is a pretty well organized event on private land under the direction of the landowner. In Canada where 85% of the land mass is public, hunting is much less organized and more informal. You really don't know who else could be out in the same area on any given day. It is up to everyone who enjoys the activity to act responsibly. You need to be 100% sure of your target and backdrop before shooting and you owe it to other hunters to make yourself visible, hence the blaze orange thing. Thankfully 99% of those in the field are very conscious of this and accidents are very rare indeed.

[tulloch]

That's the problem. Here in the land of Dirty Harry a lot of people - even those who should have a lot of sense about it - shoot at anything that remotely resembles a patch of a part of what they seek to bag. I hope that were I to hunt - and I'm looking to get into turkey hunting some time - I would not fire unless I had a clear line and a good view.

[Woodsheal]

This is going back a few years, but somebody - Woolrich? - offered a heavy 100% wool tartan fabric, the base color of which was blaze-orange. Imagine the possibilities...!

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

You guys have it right, no one in their right mind shoots a firearm at a sound, but blaze orange saves us highlanders from the city boys firing guns without realizing the potential for the projectiles to go MILES before stopping in a tree, dirt, animal, or most unfortunately, fellow hunter, or even a hiker or a person gathering mushrooms etc. tree branches start to look like antlers and so on. Blaze orange looks unnatural against the surroundings and helps promote safe shooting, the fact that its necessary is unfortunate but better safe than sorry. Tulloch, beware of hunting turkey! you can see hundreds on the road etc. get a bow or a firearm and they all disappear somehow really though I know a few out of the way hunting spots in mass (almost) sure to produce a fat jake or tom turkey should the interest get the better of you. Always looking for a hunting mate anyway
cheers,
nick pratt

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

Nick (of Clan Grant)
If you are the least bit handy with thread & needle, you can buy the pattern and sew up a old style Scots bonnet(the Balmorals "grandfather') in orange fabrick of your choice. I would go with a waterproof sort, were it I. The thing is not hard to sew up. Smoke& Fire Company sells the patterns. I made one for winter from some blanket scraps, and hand wove the cap-band ribbon(this style of cap has the ribbons in the back that WORK, you can adjust the size of the bonnet!)
Try this for a less expensive idea.
As Ever
CSA
in the Maine Woods

[Ryan Ross]

Nick (of Clan Grant)
If you are the least bit handy with thread & needle, you can buy the pattern and sew up a old style Scots bonnet(the Balmorals "grandfather') in orange fabrick of your choice. I would go with a waterproof sort, were it I. The thing is not hard to sew up. Smoke& Fire Company sells the patterns. I made one for winter from some blanket scraps, and hand wove the cap-band ribbon(this style of cap has the ribbons in the back that WORK, you can adjust the size of the bonnet!)
Try this for a less expensive idea.
As Ever
CSA
in the Maine Woods

I have to chime in here, in the name of history- The "old style Scots bonnet" was never cut and sewn from fabric, but was knit and felted by hand. The cut and sewn bonnet, made from threeish pieces of cloth, is a relatively new innovation.

[piperdbh]

This thread is beginning to take on a familiar tone, eh Brother Ross?

[tulloch]

The yarn has been ordered. Nick, I will need a measurement - run a tape around your noggin exactly where a ball cap would sit in a strong wind. Tell me what it says in inches or cm.

[Ryan Ross]

This thread is beginning to take on a familiar tone, eh Brother Ross?

I would say so, Sir. And welcome back! ;)