Face Camo? Is it really needed?

[bornagainbowhunter]

I use a spandex face mask.  It clings so tightly to your face that you can still feel you anchor point and when you turn your head it turns with you.  I do think it makes me less visable, but even when using it I try to hide behind my bow when they look at me.

[Kip]

Was playing around with a doe Friday afternoon.Had face off all over my face .I was using a bleat can and doe turned from about 70 yards to sound of bleat and came within 10 or less yards and looked up at me but could not make me and never got real alarmed until I turned my whole body and then just moved off and never blew of course she didn't smell me for sure but I believe in face camo more so than the clothes.Have had other good experiencs since I started using face off never liked mask or paint.Kip

[AdamH]

It's all I've ever used for 30 years ... {black} ...

[Gatekeeper]

I use the Spando-Flage 3/4 facemask. It fits the contours of my face without being tight and uncomfortable. I usually alter the color by doing a brown tie dye to it to get the shade I want.

[dnovo]

I don't ever wear a face mask unless I am after turkeys. In a treestand hunting deer I do not use any face covering of any kind and never have a problem. I do have a beard though and I believe it helps although the gary is getting on the light side. I wear glasses and any face mask causes them to fog up. I hate that. I may try some face paint in the future for on the ground.

[Curveman]

Originally posted by Ray Hammond:
Its totally unnecessary unless you want to kill something other than caribou.

[DVSHUNTER]

needed no.. helpful yes  I use burnt cork cheap, easy, and easy off with soap and water

[Bjorn]

Absolutely! Don't leave home without it.

[blind one]

After watching my cousin and his son at the other end of the field in a blind I have always used it. Every time they moved or turned their heads I could see them. It was like they had big white flags in the blind with them...Roy

[erierik]

face paint here,easy on easy off.Just another little thing that can make a difference imo.

[Bill Carlsen]

What Ray Hammond said.

[StanM]

Originally posted by blind one:
After watching my cousin and his son at the other end of the field in a blind I have always used it. Every time they moved or turned their heads I could see them. It was like they had big white flags in the blind with them...Roy

Given the handle, if it was obvious to Roy, think of what the critters see    

Stan

[joevan125]

Im a treestand hunter and i stopped wearing one 2 yrs ago and in the last 2 years i have killed more deer.

[Don Stokes]

I have a white beard, and deer do notice it at close range on the ground. I use a head net in a tree as much to keep the 'skeeters at bay as to hide from the animals.

[Covey]

Believe it or not, I think the cork helps with skeeters! Jason

[shakeyslim]

paint cause i lke to hunt cool! gives me that feelinglike i'm ready for hunt , may not mean a thing to creatures but i just feel like its part of hunting attitude

[buckster]

I don't know if it helps or not, but it makes me feel like Rambo, so I'll keep on using it.  

[BOHO]

I havent used a headnet in several years and I have never used face paint. I just enjoy the hunt and if I hear a deer coming or see one I just grab my bow and hold it up in front of me. It breaks up my outline and I can get a shot off quickly in that position.

[joe ashton]

good thread... I wear paint during the Coloelk season as I am bothered by a mask and I don't have to wash it off because well I want see any one any way for days at a time In the whitetail tree stand I'll wear a mask (so I don't have to wash it off to go town resturant etc.  Joe

[LC]

Good thread. Is it needed? I think so definately but for one other reason than mentioned above. I use to love face paint, didn't feel like I was bowhunting without it but hated cleaning it off to be able to stop on the way home and grab some grub. Then I went to the Spado flage headnets. Loved them, still use them in turkey season when its hot out. But for some reason the rubber comes to a stage in it's life that it just flat out stinks like a old gym sneaker. Not sure that deer associate it with human but heck I can't stand to wear them. Some time ago spando flage was hard to get and someone on this very site recommended Cableas Camo skin head gear. I absolutely positively love this garment. Funny I've used mine for years and just thought the other day I need to buy another one just in case they quit making them. By the way I checked and they still have them and yes I ordered one just for spare in case my 10 year old one dies or gets lost. It fits snug so you can still feel your anchor point and it is camo so it does hide the human face from deer which I think is important. BUT the most important reason I'd rather forget my bow than my camo skin is because it cuts the wind! I use nothing but wind shear clothing because it's warmer and cuts down my human scent being blow away and afer spraying down my entire clothing with my homebrew scent conditioner I've not had a single deer wind me from a stand in a long long time. Think about it for a minute, most of your scent comes from your head, hair etc. I know most folks  still think you can't fool a deers nose and thats fine. Just keep using your standard wool, fleece or whatever and hunt the wind. Good luck with that and good hunting.