facemasks and camo paint for groundblinds

[jacobsladder]

im hunting natural ground blinds and have been busted twice this season..how important do you guys think a face mask is..?? ive been within 10 yds of deer plenty of times on the ground with bow and gun with out a mask or paint...im just trying to figure out how i got busted this morning....wind was in my face.... give me your guys thoughts..thanks.

[Deadbolt]

Just b/c wind was in your face doesn't mean they didn't smell one form or another of you.  Could have passed your trail and got a bit of your scent to put them on alert.

Movement is a BIG thing to worry about when on the ground especially if the blind isn't done up properly.  The slightest little thing will tick them off on the ground.  Make sure you have a really good and solid backdrop so as you move there is nothing to silloutte (sp?) you.  I normally put alot of heavy brush and that camo netting stuff behind me  and keep it so the sun doesn't make much change int he way it looks.  If the sun is right behind ya or poking through the blind you moving just a hair causes a gap or allows mroe light and they will pick that up real fast!

Anything not matching will give ya up as well like your face and hands...a big light spot like your face in the middle of a bush looks kind of strange and will alert them to your presence.

But on the other hand if the deer isn't educated or on alert sometimes they wont pick up if your sitin there in a lawn chair havin a drink.

My brother and i nailed a doe last night we were doing a dance and a jig in the tree talkin and doin all kinds of sorts and not one of the 5 knew we were up there.

Occupy their mind with good scent control and something to mask your scent (cover scents, fox urin, scent waffers, etc, etc) and cover yourself up done good!  Oh yea DONT MOVE!  :p

[BMOELLER]

I wear a ghillie suit which helps alot.  But like Deadbolt says you something behind you to help break you up.  Last night on public ground I had two does at fifteen feet and they didn't know I was there until they went directly down wind of me.  Even then they hung around at ten yards trying to figure out what I was.  I also use dead down wind spray.  Also counted coup on a half rack spike who was at twenty yards.

[jacobsladder]

im familiar with all the advice you guys have given and you guys are right on... im tucking myself back in the thicket real good but im not putting any brush in front of me..these deer saw me but never spooked ..just turned and walked in the opposite direction...im gonna brush myelf in a bit better in front of me and just give myself  two or three windows to shoot thru...that should help..oh yeah! im gonna wear my face mask too!

[owlbait]

I have a ghillie type facemask that I really like. It is comfortable and doesn't restrict my sight. I think it is a Rancho Safari. Very light weight too. It might help you a lot.

[Stone Knife]

I just use burnt cork as face camo. It works good and washes off easy.

[buckeye_hunter]

I use a hood and foun it to be helpful.  Also,I found sitting in a slight depression if possible is good. Keeps you from being sillouhetted because you are even or below the sky line.  

A portable tree seat is also good idea.  I picked one up at Dick's Sporting Goods for $20.  It is a seat that straps right to the tree/stump, even one with a bigger circumpherence.  They only weigh 4 lbs or so and fit easily in a backpack.  They also give you a lot of versitility because you can sit comfotablly in any tree you find no matter where it is located(steep hill). The best part is you can keep your feet on the ground and move as necessary.

JMO,
Charlie

[2-BIG]

Jason, on the ground complete camo is important, face and all. I will tell you that my ghillie suit literally makes me disappear and the deer never see me.
If I had to pick the 1 main reason I get busted it is movement. The "KEY" to getting off a shot undetected on the ground is to have something in front of your blind, where the deer's head must go behind to allow you to draw.    You can get away with drawing if the deer is looking away from you but as you know, that doesn't happen a lot.  

[whitebuffalo]

Hey Steve,, I'd cover that mug up any how,, That'll spook and old witch out of here dress,,LOL,,     and we all know we don't want to be seeing that,, Hey get a mask or paint your self up with some of your wife eye shadow,, it wahses out fine,,Jason B.

[jacobsladder]

Jason..the last time i painted myself up in my wifes eyeshadow you asked me on a date!!!! Im gonna start using my facemask.... i should be posting a pic of my first trad kill deer pretty quick or at least withing the next 15 years lol..... were getting closer..back at them tomorrow night...cant wait!

[vermonster13]

I wear a spiderman mask. Figure it breaks up my outline and maybe Mary-Jane will want to kiss me.    

[Recurve50LBS]

I use a ghillie suit when i hunt from either ground or tree. I wear glasses  so a full face mask is not good for me. My glasses fog up. So I use a 1/2 face mask and use some burnt cork on my face so that the deer don't see a shiny face looking at them.

You could also use those cheap brown cotton gloves you fine in any conveniance store for 2 bucks to cover your hands. Or you can again use burnt cork on the hands.

The BIG thing is being careful of your movement.

Hope this helps.

[Swanny in MD]

I was hunting a customer's piece of property tonight in the burbs..about 30 minutes from the Whitehouse.   Was standing up on his skidloader bucket leaning up against the top of the Bobcat...had my Warf laying on top.  Was in my workclothes...stunk too.

Had a buck that looked like a Texas Longhorn running all around me chasing a doe in heat...ran through neighboring yards while two huge doe were about 25 yards downwind trying to bust me with their snorting and stomping.   The one stared right at my face while I was winking at her.  Never gave me a decent shot.

Maybe I should have grabbed my ASAT leafy hood from the truck for a different outcome.      That thing and the suit is awesome.  Ground hunting has never been so fun.

[jacobsladder]

tough to get those bucks to stop when they are in the chase phase!....

[Tim Fishell]

Jason & Steve, you guys really are like an old married couple!!  I still dont want to know what went on in camp Wednesday night when it was just the two of you!!

[whitebuffalo]