Never thought much about it until I read this post, but I guess I come pretty close to "traditional" hunting most of the time......without really trying.
I have hunted with modern as well as muzzleloading firearms for more than 40 years.....started with caplock rifles before it was "popular",in the late 60's, just because I liked it!! About 15 years ago I went to flintlocks except on days when it is raining....then carry a caplock. Once again, just because that's what I like.....and all are longrifles I have built myself from parts (not kits) and stocks carved with my hands. Never shot anything except patched round balls either.
I seldom hunt from a stand or over a feed except when "meat" hunting for does.....even with modern rifles. Most times I go into the nastiest thickets I can find after deer and hogs, and slip or just sit behind what cover I find. Might occationally buiil a quick "brush blind".
I walk and therefore tend to travel light.....no flashlight (hate flashlights in the woods....that's what god made moonlight and stars for....and know the area I hunt very well), no binoculars, no rangefinders. Mostly just a rifle and knife and carry a shooting bag (both with muzzleloaders and a separate bag for modern rifles). I do like my coffee and will carry a bottle if I know I won't be walking too much, but most times don't due to the extra weight and bother when "roaming".
I live in a house that is more than 100 years old and although it does have electric lights and "modern" conveniences, I had no heat of any kind until last year when a woman came into my life and demanded at least a wood stove (she's kind of "soft" about that). Kind of silly to me....this is Texas and it never gets too cold for very long, just throw on another blanket!!
I prefer boiled coffee, but do sometimes use a coffee maker for convenience at the house. When at camp always boil coffee in a bucket over the fire of wood stove......not to be "traditional", just how I like it.
I wear tradtional clothing when I hunt with a muzzleloader. Sometimes buckskins, sometimes linen longhunters coat and 1700's style breaches, shirt and leggings. Wear a skin cap or tricorn unless bareheaded. Add a wool coat and stockings if it's cool outside and always wear moccasins. I don't nessisarily do this to be "correct", but that gear just "works" and feels right to me. In fact I often wear moccasins and the hunters coat when carrying a modern rifle too (moccasins are my choice of footwear around the house too.....because they are comfortable).
I do normally carry a watch, but seldom hunt by the clock and therefore seldom look at it, so could easily leave it at the house. I cannot leave my glasses behind when using traditional sights, but I guess I could get a set of "period" frames.
I can step out my back door and be hunting....and do at times....but I will admit to driving my truck to the lease (10,000 acres) 5 miles away, but once I get there it's all on foot. I do use the truck to pick up any kills as I drag them to the nearest road and go get the truck (I see no advantage to dragging a deer 5 miles as opposed to dragging 1/4 mile and walking to the truck).
If I carry anything to eat (and normally don't), its smoked sausage and a biscuit of two dropped in a cloth bag and carried in the shooting bag.
I don't do these things to be "correct" or "traditional". Its just the way I've always done it and it feels right. I actually like to wear period clothing when hunting with a longrifle and have found that there is a reason they wore what they did.....it works!!
Glad I read this thread.....never thought about it, but I do come pretty close to hunting in a "traditional" way......even when carrying modern firearms.
