Do you cover your face?

[bowhunter04]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering how important it is to cover your face when elk hunting. Does anyone where face netting, paint their face, use a light balas lava, etc.? Or is it unimportant for elk hunting?

Thanks,
Jeremy

[zpd307]

I don't. that bull never saw me at 20 yards when I arrowed him.

[GoldToyBox]

I mostly use a net but will paint on occasion.
You can be successful without either but what happens when a couple cows walk right up to you or you're caught out in the open ...... you want every advantage you can get.
Even at distance your face shines, cover it.

[under H2O hunter]

I mostly use a net but will paint on occasion.
You can be successful without either but what happens when a couple cows walk right up to you or you're caught out in the open ...... you want every advantage you can get.
Even at distance your face shines, cover it.

I respectfully disagree. I have called lots of elk in close and never wearing a face mask. Even in sunlight I personally think covering your face is not needed. I guess elk in my unit respond differently to shiny objects. They don't seem to care about that as much as they relying on their noses mostly. But I have lots of rock which can reflect light to wear elk don't seem to get spooked by shinning white faces.

[Ben Nicholson]

I use a little face paint. Does it matter? Probably not. Does it make me look like a tool? You bet it does! I figure its one of those things where it's better safe than sorry.

-Ben

[Mav]

This year was my first go at archery. I used paint and never was seen. Half way through season my more experienced friends got a good laugh at my paint. The way I see it? Can't hurt!!

[Brendan]

It can help in certain scenarios, but I'm already sweaty and nasty enough that I hate paint and masks. I don't shave - I go for the "elk beard" face camo, try not to silhouette myself, minimize movement and have had elk and deer inside 15 yards where they never saw me.

[ElkNut1]

No sir, no face paint or netting, but use what you have the most confidence in!

ElkNut1

[Ridgernr]

Paint or no paint is a preference, we use it. I feel the big thing is don't move your eyes around that will freak them out.

[Gselkhunter]

I have killed with and without paint. It isn't a bad idea to wear paint. I hate face masks! I think the bigger issue is glasses. I didn't used to have to wear them and life was better. Use the shadows and save yourself.

[twinkieman]

I use paint, just part of my "camo uniform", is it a necessity, probably not, but I'm going to wear it anyway!

[pointysticks]

i push my neck gaiter up over my face..but i suspect it is only for mental confidence. i'm pretty sure it's the movement they see, and not my gosh darn fine-looking handsome man features.

[Kessler10]

In my opinion, use the money you were going to spend on net or face paint and buy extra scent cover. i.e. scentless deodorant/laundry determent, hand soap, etc.) Seems to me the first thing we all get busted on is scent.

[WapitiTalk1]

I started off years ago using face paint... it was part of the pre-hunt ritual but not so sure it provides a distinct advantage. I have a camo face net I carry now but it's really only used when I hunt areas that have a ton of skeetos and no-see-ums (tiny black gnats that will rip the flesh off your face). I've had individual hunts actually ruined because I was being devoured by bugs (WA state early season is really bad some years). Can't sit that last 1/2 hour of the day by an elk herd in WA w/o something to keep the bugs off your face, and, any other exposed flesh (long sleeved shirt, goves).

[msd1228]

I don't worry about it too much when elk hunting since you are typically in the type of terrain that creates shadow, etc., but for open country trophy mule deer hunting in my neck of the woods its an absolute must (bowhunting). Your face literally shines like a halogen bulb in the open country.

[Ridge Ghost]

I never mess with paint or face covers. In my experience, it doesn't really make a difference. If you watch the wind and don't let them see you move, and you'll be fine. Fail to do these things, and you'll be busted- with or without a face cover.

[Bow4Elk]

When I first started bow hunting back in the 70's, we would get the tube with green on one end and black on the other from the army surplus store. It almost tore the skin off you face putting it on. Then came the compacts with the paint you could soften up by rubbing for a while. We quit using it when we started elk hunting regularly in the early 80's and have killed a lot of elk with no paint. However we do usually have a beard when we make it to the elk woods. I think that scent is the biggest problem you face. The only time I had a problem was when an elk got a good look at my face and rolled down the hill laughing.

[jmez]

I don't cover mine. Used to use paint, then masks and have graduated to nothing. Haven't seen a difference since I've stopped.

I don't even cover my face when turkey hunting anymore. Unnecessary IMO.

[Indian Summer]

i push my neck gaiter up over my face..but i suspect it is only for mental confidence.

I don't think so Pointy. I think it helps a lot. I do that when I'm wearing a neck gaiter.

If not I don't use anything. But I have a beard or I might use a net. I hate paint. I get dirty and sweaty enough without adding to the crust.

[bowhunter04]

Thanks guys. Sounds like it's a personal preference thing but likely isn't necessary.