Facemask or face paint or nothing at all?

[jrussell]

 I'm curious to what you guys choose to wear when bowhunting from a tree stand. Do you wear a face mask or face paint,  or just nothing at all except a hat? I was at the store today and I couldn't decide whether or not it was worth spending $30 for a face mask. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[Red]

I.wear a face mask but I'm cheap I usually use a $10 mask and some times as the season hours on ill let my facial hair grow and then I stop wearing a mask.

[stoneam2006]

I'll be honest as I think about it alot...I shot both my bow deer last year from a tree in a tee-shirt with no mask or paint and had multiple deer come thru....also missed a 6 pt with mask or anything...now I know the areas I hunt have little to 0 bow hunters other than myself and uncle so I know that helps but makes me wonder if there's other reasons why a deer would look up?

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Saw last post and do have a full beard and always have/will

Edited September 24, 2015 by stoneam2006

[DirtTime]

Good question, I always proffered a mask. These days, I don't wear anything unless is super cold. I have to wear glasses so a mask or paint will do nothing if the sun reflects off my glasses, so it's kind of pointless for me.

 

[Lawdwaz]

I like a tight fitting mask for archery hunting.  I wear contacts 90% of the time but even with my specs on the mask doesn't fog them up.

 

When gun hunting I often wear a mask but most of the time it is just to help knock the chill off my chubby cheeks.

 

If it is REAL cold, I have a bunch of different masks for different levels of "Damn is it COLD".

[WNY-Hunter]

I have tried several different masks, but I always had problems with them fogging up my glasses in the cold. I switched over to face paint several years ago, and love it. No more problems, works well. Only downfall is that I sometimes forget I have it on, and will go into a store, or restaurant and get some weird looks lol. 

[wooly]

Nothin' for me, but I'm still kinda new to this treestand stuff.

Most times I get picked off from a stand is from being silhouetted once the leaves drop. 

I think if they ever got a good look at my beautiful mug, they would have no choice but to stop and stare, offering me the perfect shot.

 

The last few years since I started hunting from treestand, I like to cut a few fresh maple branches while they are still green leafed (now) and tie them to the trunk around me and below my platform, and at waist height so I can stand and shoot over it.

Once the leaves die they stay attached to the cut branches and make for some great cover to hide behind when the rest of the tree is naked later in the season.

 

That's one of those loose ends I hope to tie up this weekend with my stands.

[grampy]

I use a camo bandana . With my hat pulled down low .

[Hock3y24]

Well I have started this year by setting my archery stands in pine trees so I don't get busted when the leaves drop, however I wear a gander mtn hat/ mask combo, it dosent interfere with my kisser. Sometimes I paint if I'm out all day.

Edited September 24, 2015 by Hock3y24

[Caveman]

I wear paint in the warm weather.  I just don't like having anything but my beard on my face.  When it gets cold I (begrudgingly) wear a brown balaclava for warmth.

[fasteddie]

I prefer the mask to hide the glare from my face .

 

[BizCT]

I sit on the ground with my xbow, so when it's warm I use this light mesh mask.

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[Mike127]

Nothing for me, never really saw the need.

[Adkhunter1590]

Face paint in warmer weather. Thin mask when cold.

[Doc]

 I'm curious to what you guys choose to wear when bowhunting from a tree stand. Do you wear a face mask or face paint,  or just nothing at all except a hat?

Well first of all I am thankful that I have never come across a bowhunter that was wearing "just nothing at all except a hat" ..... lol.

 

Serious answer to your question ....... Whiskers. I have had a beard and a moustache since 1972 that always did a good job of covering my face. Only one problem with that ..... as the years have gone on, it has turned pretty darn white. As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be a problem though. I think it may not be as important as it is made out to be unless you are wobbling your head around constantly. Movement is what catches their eye, and I keep everything nice and slow while on stand. Likely, they will catch the motion of my drawing arm long before they see anything stationary on my face.

 

It may be that camouflage is highly over-rated. From what I've seen during gun season, wearing solid flashy blaze orange, I have gotten away with all kinds of things without being picked off .... that is, until I make some fast movement. And it is the fast movement that has burned me even when I am wearing camo.

[genesee_mohican]

A light scent lock face mask when it's warm. The main reason is to have something to exhale through which helps cut down on odor.  As it gets colder i'll add a heavier one to keep the chill off. I also try to keep my ears uncovered so I can still hear well.

[Deadhunter25]

I wear a mask year round. Even when I bowhunt in September. Sometimes the way the sun hits your face could make it look a little odd to deer if you dont have a beard. Also it keeps my breath somewhat at bay instead of just blowing all over the woods it is under a mask. But most of all it keeps me warm in the winter especially my neck when a nice cold wind starts to blow

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[518BowSlayer]

no mask, no face paint, not hat, except when it's cold then a winter hat. the few times I've been busted in a treestand it's been because of movement or bad wind. sitting on the ground for spring turkeys I use face paint

[jrussell]

Interesting responses, thanks everybody! Seems about 60/40 pro face mask. 

[WNYBuckHunter]

During bow its face paint for me, during gun, mask.

[gfdeputy2]

nothing for me until it gets cold then facemask

[Pipecrew]

Unless its very warm I always wear a mask.

[johnplav]

Beard has been good enough for me so far.  When its freezing towards the end of the season I will wear a fleece mask.  This weekend I might look around for a thin mask, mostly to keep bugs off my neck.  Any recommendations?

[sampotter]

I quit wearing a mask in a tree a few years back. I do use Carbomask (face paint) when on the ground.

[Five Seasons]

bought one of these a few years ago on end of season clerance

http://www.cabelas.com/product/home/miscellaneous-camo-clothing/scent-lok-early-season|/pc/105625080/c/105823980/sc/833141880/scentlok-reg-men-s-savanna-ultimate-lightweight-headcover/1978077.uts?destination=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D833141880

 

great for early season, the ears are mesh to keep your hearing good. I've always been a facemask guy. I do subscribe to some of the scent control stuff as well and your head is the biggest generator.

 

Winter is a must for wind protection in my opinion.

Edited September 24, 2015 by Belo