Introducing the 2024 Big Woods Bucks "Tracker Jacket"

Big Woods Bucks has been oufitting hunters for the Big Woods ever since Hal started his guide service in Jackman, Maine in 1989. As Hal's clients quickly learned, hunting in the vast woods of the Northeast requires clothing that contends with all types of weather. One moment the sun is out, the next it begins to rain, then the temperature drops and the snow begins to fall at a rapid pace.

In the Northeast, it is not uncommon for the woods to fluctuate 40 plus degrees without a moment’s notice. Additionally, big woods hunters can find big woods hunters can find themselves miles back in remote country tracking a big buck through dense conifers, up on frigid snow-covered mountains, and sneaking though dense cedar swamps. Some days, a big woods hunter will experience all these environmental factors in one day as they pursue their buck. All the more importance to have confidence in the gear that will save your life…your wool clothing.

What gives Big Woods Buck team members the confidence in their wool gear, specifically the famous Big Woods Bucks “Tracker Jacket”? First, the Big Woods Buck “Tracker Jacket” was designed and tested by some of the best woodsmen and hunters in the world. The advantage of the jacket starts with the basic materials. The jacket is comprised of the very best wool, 100% virgin wool which is sourced from sheep in Wyoming and Montana. Sure, there are other brands that make wool jackets, but most cannot say they use 100% virgin wool. Instead, they choose to cost by utilizing recycled or reclaimed wool.

Recycled, also known as reclaimed, wool is exactly what one would think it is, used wool from garments or homeware that is repurposed to make more wool fabric. This much lower quality recycled wool is an inferior fabric as it lacks the insulation, wind and water-repellency, durability, and comfort properties of 100% virgin wool. In addition, 100% virgin wool resists stains, odors, wicks moisture, and does not burn. Another essential step is preshrinking the virgin wool. We preshrink our wool as it not only deters the jacket from shrinking, but exponentially adds to the fabric’s attributes of durability, insulation, wind and water-repellency, and comfort. In addition to the superior wool our team members chose to utilize, our team members built the tracker jacket with specific features to be extremely functional and big woods buck hunter specific.

When building the jacket, team members designed two zippered “slash pockets” positioned on the chest of the jacket. These angled zipper chest pockets make carrying and accessing essential items more convenient. Team members chose molded zippers in lieu of metal zippers as they are stealthier and do not corrode. In addition to the “slash pockets”, they added two hand pockets on the lower section of the jacket. These hand pockets, as well as the “slash pockets”, are lined with a fleece material for warmth and comfort. Many of the team members choose not to wear gloves, so these fleece lined pockets were a must to rewarm their hands while hunting in frigid weather. In order to carry the rest of their essential items, they designed a series of game pouches that are built on the inside of the back of the tracker jacket. Having the game pouches on the inside of the jacket protects your essentials from the elements, but also allows the hunter to access their items with ease by simply unzipping their jacket and reaching back into the pouches.

As years went on, the Big Woods Bucks “Tracker Jacket” served as a superior hunting jacket for team members as well as legions of hardcore hunters across the Northeast, the upper Midwest, Appalachia, and Canada. Big Woods Bucks team members, though, are always researching and testing methods to improve their success in the big woods if it makes sense, and improving their gear is no different. So, in early 2024, Big Woods Bucks decided to make a few adjustments to their already superior hunting jacket. One change was to add approximately 2.5”-3.0” (depending on jacket size) to the bottom of the jacket as well as 1.5”-2.0” of length to the sleeves. At the bottom center of the jacket, a “front slip” was added. The “front slip” is a space below the center zipper closure.

This new feature adds flexibility to the jacket while stepping over obstacles, sitting, as well as protection from the wind when sitting. Next, a 2.5” “side vent” was added to each side of the jacket bottom. The “side vents” add flexibility to the jacket. On the inside left and right chest of the tracker jacket, a new material replaced the former material to increase durability and prevent “pilling”. Last, but not least, we dressed the jacket up by replacing the embroidered “Big Woods Bucks” logo found on the chest of the cape and jacket with “Big Woods Bucks” logo leather patches. We feel the leather patches have a more aesthetic appeal as they have a more traditional appearance and only look better after years of conditioning by the harsh elements.

Now, finally, after months of working on our revamped 2024 Big Woods Bucks “Tracker Jacket”, we are excited to release it to you, the Big Woods Nation this fall! We are confident, that our 3-season 100% pre-shrunk virgin wool tracker jacket will be the only wool jacket you will ever need in the big woods! Built with superior quality, designed by big woods hunters, and…MADE IN THE USA!