Ditto! I used to have a full head of hair to go along with my facial scruff. Now the hair is mostly gone so I keep what's left real short for that military look. The beard has turned mostly white and while I keep it trimmed during the off-season, I let it grow from August 1 until I'm finished hunting around Christmas (my wife likes it trimmed for Christmas photos). I haven't shaved in about 17 years or so.
I used to tell my wife that I needed the beard as camouflage, but that excuse quit working when it turned mostly white (I told her once that a white tail is a deer's warning signal).
Then I told her that I needed the beard to keep my face warm while hunting, but now I mostly hunt in nice weather and wear a warm face gaiter on colder days.
So I started telling her wearing a beard made me 'feel like a man' which quit holding water when I turned 65 and officially became a Social Security collecting 'Old' man.
In the last few years I just fess up and tell her I'm too lazy to shave. Even though she knows I'm a busybody and always hustling around doing something, she accepts that excuse . . . for now.
So Dale, while I cannot actually concur that Michigan deer flies are attracted to silver hair, I do know they think a shaved head is a mighty good target. I feel your pain brother! Never go into the forest without a hat!