Face Paint and Neon

Research says deer are color blind. Who else finds it laughable watching hunting shows seeing people with bright neon color strings but have black face paint on. The most unnatural color in the woods is black. I guess it’s just my pet peeve seeing people with all these neon colors on bows, and hunting gear and then black face paint. Why spend hundreds on all camo clothes or camo clothes with neon colors to throw on a straight black body harness (if money is a issue on gear disregard this) and then black face paint. With bright ratchet straps on your stand. Is this something that I only recognize and I’m crazy or do other people get a hoot with people spending thousands on all the gear they use just to throw some some very solid unnatural colors into the mix?

 

From what I read, and I’m not sure where it was, the rods and cones in a deer’s eye allow them to see the color blue for sure. Also, movement. Like they can REALLY detect movement. Black is a good color in the woods because it breaks a silhouette up with the shawdows that are already there. I don’t care what camo or colors you wear, if you set in a tree with the sky as your back drop, you best be packing Harry Potter’s invisible cloak with you.

If a person has some foliage as a backdrop on the other hand, the camp will do it’s job at breaking up a human silhouette. The black harness straps don’t really jump out. Some black lines of face paint further break up the face. I don’t wear face paint though. Superstitious....I never see any deer if I put face paint on.

Deer do not see colors the way we do, so the neon colors on bows aren’t a big deal...although, from what I’ve read, Im staying a way from blue. (Insert stories of everybody killing deer in blue jeans with blue accessories on their bow.)

So I guess what I’m trying to say, camo is more about the pattern than the colors to a certain extent.

 

I listened to a podcast about deer sight earlier this year, said deer can see blue really well and ultraviolet light. They also said to stay away from camo with lots of grey in it, as it can appear blue in low light conditions like dawn and dusk when a deer can see the best.

But it does seem silly when firearm season starts and I cover all my camo with a $5 blaze orange vest, and deer don't seem to notice one bit.

 

Yeah deer are not completely color blind. Research shows that they see in the blue and green spectrum the best and red and orange not very well. I agree that it's more about sitting still than anything else. Camo patterns do help break up your silhouette.

 

I think it is more movement and reflections than color. Movement is a dead give away. Ones face and hands will reflect light a lot more than camo clothing will. Any shinny object like your watch, scope lens, etc. will throw more reflection than dull, drab colors. That is why most scopes, camera lenses, etc. have a 'cup' around the lens to keep light from shining directly on the glass. Stumbled onto this while looking for a game camera. Spotted the two chrome hooks on the elastic bands before I saw the camera. I try to keep everything that may reflect light covered in some way, including the chrome safety on my cross bow.

 

I think some black lines to break up a big round shiny moon pie is better than a big shiny moon pie. That being said I’m over the paint. I used to paint my face for duck hunting all the time. I get sick of it coming off on my camo clothes. I just bought a face mask for every weather condition or pull my neck gaiter up. I also swear they can see your eyes. When a deer is looking at me I squint so not to show my peepers. Not too sure on the gray thing but a lot of the best camo patterns out there have gray in them. There is a lot of gray in the woods. And surprisingly I see a lot of white in the woods to growing on trees. I’m a big fan of Mathews lost camo. Also like the digital patterns as well.


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Deer are actually just red green color blind so if you have the same condition you know excatly how a deer sees.

 

I'm with you on this. Face paint can help cover up a big shiny face but like you I got sick of it rubbing off on my gear and having to carry makeup remover wipes with me to take it off after the hunt. Plus it was always getting stuck in my beard which annoyed me. I went back to a facemask and I've been 100x happier. Paint makes you look super cool and hard core if you're trying to impress your fellow bro hunters, but that's about all.

 

because of getting too warm I had my hat off, jacket unzipped, gloves off, I have very grey hair, a shiny top of my head and a very grey goatee, shot a 9 pointer this fall at twelve yards in this get up so???????????

 

I think the truth is that no one knows what the hell a deer actually sees and doesn't. I have blue stuff on my bow and on several occasions I've used my bow as cover holding it between me and deer. I have yet to have a deer spook from the blue on my bow...or the white that's along side of it.

 

I do the same thing with my bow if possible. I’ll hang my bow hanger where I can swing it in front of my face. That trick really does work


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The final straw was after an incredible duck hunt lasted too long. I worked second shift which was great for morning hunts but that day I was really cutting it close on time. I basically slid in my work parking lot sideways, ran in and hit the time clock on the dot. Immediately started getting funny looks and chuckling and realized my face was still painted. Spent the next 10 min taking a hobo bath in the restroom sink! I was serious about my duck hunting lol.


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Another face mask guy here, I love these things and not just for hunting. Around the farms for doing whatever they are nice because they are so versatile. When hunting I pull them up and around my face like a ninja so that just my eyes are uncovered and then I put my ball cap back on over it. They're pretty warm, knock the wind chill off your skin and it's pretty comfortable.
I think these are what I ordered last time but not sure if it was this exact item, same thing if not exactly the same brand.
https://www.amazon.com/Headwear-Bal...1997469&sr=1-14&keywords=neck+gaiters+for+men

 

I can't stand facemasks. Maybe I have not found the right one.

I love the camo paint (not for coolness)... One less thing to get in my way and I don't really have a problem with it rubbing off. I have tried a few different brands and find the cheap Hunters Specialties three tone compact to be great for me. Tried a Dead Down Wind stick three times this year and it was a greasy mess. Threw it out...

Agree with some others, I try to cover my eyes a bit when looking at deer.

I do feel that deer pickup my blaze orange. I think it is more being a big blob than anything else.

 

I have seen several photos of bow hunters wearing clear eye glasses. To me that would be a big light reflecting piece. I basically only need glasses to read to do things within arms reach so I don't wear my glasses hunting. I think if I needed to I would use a light tinted pair.

 

Mud, even better with some deer Pooo mixed in as a cover scent. Just rub it all over your face and you are set.

 

shadows are generally black and all over the hardwoods...black squirrels, black bears, Tree Bark, Rocks...there is a lot of black. Now bright white on the other hand is a no no.

 

I don't wear face paint, I think it's just preference. I don't think it helps or hurts. Deer can't see near as good as turkeys. They can detect movement and that doesn't matter what kind of camo you have on, they'll still see you.


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only thing missing is big league chew.....haha