Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

I don't like wearing one due to limited visibility. Is it crucial to wear one? Thoughts?

Face paint. I hate them as well. Cuts down on my hearing and are just a pain in general in my opinion. I still keep one in my vest just in case but seldom use it. I had to figure out a way to hide my rugged good looks from the ladies at the local gas stations anyways.. Thank goodness most of them know me now and don't call the cops.

I hate them as well but will sometimes wear one if it is a real short hunt. Otherwise it's face paint for me as well. I also carry a super thin gaiter to cover my neck as well when it's too warm for a turtleneck.

Most are made for people with small heads and are very uncomfortable, I only wear them if it is buggy out and not often then now that there are ThermaCELL units.

Sent from my moto g pure using Tapatalk

I think face mask is crucial. They are so weary, a face will stand out in my opinion. I don't cover my eyes, goes to the bridge of my nose. With the hat brim pulled down, it works well.....

You have to cover your shiny face, lest you fall victim of the"White Face Running Away Gobbler."

I've always worn one.  Always will.  The one I use is very unobtrusive.

I absolutely HATE face paint.

This is the first year in a long time that I've used one.   I started using the hat facemask combo from quickcamo.   I use the reverse hat style and so far so good.  Up until
then I used face paint which I don't like either. 

The quick camo leafy hat has been my favorite, others have always been a fight and annoying!

In a blind NO...running and gunning YES. I don't like it when they cover my ears though. So I just cut out the holes for those radar detectors.

Always wear a face mask. Sometimes I'll have to pull the sides away from my ears as not to muffle distance sounds but no other constriction issues.

That and a spare in my vest for when a hunting buddy inevitably forgets theirs in the truck or at home.

No pie facing allowed. Kinda hate duck hunting with anyone who refuses to wear one. If face paint is your thing it's gotta be face covering. Not the Cabela's magazine cover model two smudges or the kiddies arts and crafts time.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Can't stand face paint so I use a face mask.  Often I'm sneaking in an hour or two pre-work hunt and don't want to deal with washing off face paint before heading in to the office.  I'll switch between a couple different versions of face coverings.  Much prefer the Buff brand nec gaiters but will switch to a lighter mesh face mask during our warmer Wisconsin late seasons.

I would like to use face paint but there are 2 major reasons that I don't.  First, the mosquitos are terrible & for some reason they flock to me.  And second, I sweat like a hog. (Yes, I know that hogs don't sweat)  A few years ago I bought a Bug Tamer headnet & it was the best $35 that I ever spent!

I wear a light weight face mask that fits over the bridge of my nose. I pull the bill of my hat down as much as possible but still allow enough room to see well. Mask helps with mosquitoes and gnats in my neck of the woods.

Quote from: Gman on March 30, 2023, 04:33:18 PM
I would like to use face paint but there are 2 major reasons that I don't.  First, the mosquitos are terrible & for some reason they flock to me.  And second, I sweat like a hog. (Yes, I know that hogs don't sweat)  A few years ago I bought a Bug Tamer headnet & it was the best $35 that I ever spent!

I sweat quite profusely myself, tried carbomask and it was a wash, washed right off my face from sweat. This is what I have found works best, I do try to wait til I get in to apply it though and wipe my face off before applying. Only think I ever found better was the old Fred Bear face paint, worked great and did not come off. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009TNSAG?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Masks all steam my glasses up, cut into my eyes where people are said to get "Bags" or are so tight it I put them under my nose they become very painful very quickly. Best I have found so far is the Shocker from Allen but if it is to hot out my claustrophobia prevents from from wearing a mask at all. I do wear a boonie hat to help shadow the face when I use or should say used either.

I like the half mask for hiding your face and pulling the bill of my cap down to help conceal.

I started duck hunting before turkey hunting and quickly learned the importance of covering my face in the duck blind. If you're calling turkeys in close (aka turkey hunting) you should definitely cover your face with something. But it doesn't matter what you choose to do it with. I like a full face mask, I also cut out ear holes and it does help with mosquitoes somewhat. It also helps keep me warm some mornings.

 If your head is any bigger than mine I feel sorry for you...

Quaker Boy has a full size one, I wouldn't wear face paint ever. Don't get the skin tight ones, bugs bite through them

I use the half mask sold on mossy oak site.  Its perforated and light weight. Pull it up to the bridge of my nose. Depending on surrounding cover I may pull it up over my ears or stop it below my ears.  Its thin enough that it doesn't interfere with hearing. 

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I use a Buff neck gaiter in camo. Very lightweight and it keeps the sun off my already sun-damaged neck. Pull it up over my nose, pull the hat brim down, good to go.

Can't stand face paint ... 3/4 face mask ... it all depends on the weather which determines the ones i use ...

Be a man. Grow a beard. Lol

  I've always used a face mask. 99% of the time it's what they call a half mask. I wear it around my neck and it easily pulls up over my nose just under my eyes when in a hurry to set up. A few weeks ago I picked up a couple labeled as balaclava masks that can be worn in different positions. They were on sale and I think they will be a little warmer on those cool mornings we sometimes have. One of each and I'll be ready to go. Another thing that's worth mentioning for cool weather hunts is a neck gator. You can get light weight or medium weight. I have one I picked up several years ago at an army surplus store that's lightweight and "stretchy" but still super warm. I've used that thing like crazy for anything and everything. Some cold mornings it feels like you just can't keep the chills out but if you put it on it makes a huge difference in losing body heat and staying warm. Doubles as a backup face mask as well.

Like others have said, I wear a half face mask also. I pull it up over the bridge if my nose and over my ears. Helps a little with mosquitoes. However my glasses do fog up some when using it which is a negative. I feel like you need to cover your face with something though.

Quote from: Bedge7767 on March 30, 2023, 10:57:28 PM
Be a man. Grow a beard. Lol

After you get a certain age the beard doesn't matter it's all white ... :TooFunny:

Yeah and on those dreary days my brother says my mostly white beard glows, so I try to keep it trimmed during spring turkey.

When I started wearing glasses I found the Quaker Boy Bandito 3/4 head net worked good with the full wire loop for my glasses and breathed decently. They're not completely fog proof but they're better than others I tried. I started wearing contacts but still wear one. The 1/2 mask or gator type are too form fitting and are annoying to me.

Quote from: fishr64 on March 31, 2023, 06:55:23 AM
Yeah and on those dreary days my brother says my mostly white beard glows, so I try to keep it trimmed during spring turkey.

That's what rubber bands are for.

I wear a mask, thin one.  I have tried the face painting and it doesn't work for me. In Louisiana you put on Face paint, soon you will look like Tammy Faye Baker seen someone dropped the offering plate!!!!

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

Face mask yes and a head net at times and always a thermocell. Black flies are brutal in the swamps.

I've always worn a facemask made from netting and never had a complaint. This year I tried a buff style. I liked it until I pulled it down to get a drink of water. I noticed that i could hear so much better without the buff. I'm going back to a face mask made from netting.

Sent from my moto e5 play using Tapatalk

Don't wear one or use face paint. The last few years I've been wearing mostly solids and very little camo

Quote from: Chad Gus715 on April 02, 2023, 06:04:03 PM
Don't wear one or use face paint. The last few years I've been wearing mostly solids and very little camo

May I ask, Why very little camo?

Just curious.

I wear a half facemask that covers the bridge of my nose and then pull my hat down low to help cover my eyes but still have clear vision.  Wore a mask like that for years.  When not in use it's easy to pull down around your neck until you need it again.

I have used the full coverage masks in the past.  They work but IMO are not as comfortable and I don't like it to cover my ears.  At nearly 63 years old my hearing is not what it used to be.

To answer the OP's question. I always wear a mask and if you don't you should use face paint. IMO it is a requirement.

I started turkey hunting back before they had face masks.   I took some camo mesh and fashioned it into a veil by tying two ends to the hatband of a boonie hat.  The mesh comes down and hides my face , but it's well away from me.   I leave a bit of slack in it so I have a slit along the brim where I can see out.   When not in use, I keep it piled up on top of my head.  If a gobbler shows up, all I have to do is tilt my head forward and it falls into place.


I've been doing it for over 40 years, and wouldn't want to switch.

I use a neck gaiter which keeps me warm on those cold early mornings sitting in the dark waiting for fly down.
When it get warmer it's a 1/2 mask.

I wear the nomad facemask....I keep it down around my neck until I setup on one or I'm sneaking in on one.  It fits very lose and is comfortable

Quote from: Gman on April 02, 2023, 10:07:06 PM

Quote from: Chad Gus715 on April 02, 2023, 06:04:03 PM
Don't wear one or use face paint. The last few years I've been wearing mostly solids and very little camo

May I ask, Why very little camo?

Just curious.

In my experiences it's just not needed, i wear solids that are brown, green, black ect, i setup so my outline and silhouette are broken up. I use the sun and shadows to my favor as well and i sit still and quiet.

Quote from: shaman on April 03, 2023, 07:09:18 AM
I started turkey hunting back before they had face masks.   I took some camo mesh and fashioned it into a veil by tying two ends to the hatband of a boonie hat.  The mesh comes down and hides my face , but it's well away from me.   I leave a bit of slack in it so I have a slit along the brim where I can see out.   When not in use, I keep it piled up on top of my head.  If a gobbler shows up, all I have to do is tilt my head forward and it falls into place.


I've been doing it for over 40 years, and wouldn't want to switch.

I do sorta the same thing.  I started with head net from Ranger that are no longer made.  Net fits over hat and all.  I put the net on with hat and then mark with masking tape a 1" window under my brim.  Cut out window the width of the brim then reinforce with thread and attach bottom of the window to top in the middle to prevent sag.  Put the net on over my hat, window is placed right at brim.  I also use face paint for my cheeks and nose because I checked what it looked like in darken room and skin showing looks like a flashlight shining out of the net.  Started in 79 and now on my second net.  Have third in reserve.  Just had a buddy give me some camo mesh netting and lady he works with made two more for future use.