Beards for camo
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Korey Wolfe
09-Sep-14
I've noticed that several of the legendary elk hunters here on Bowsite sport beards. I guess they are cheaper than face paint and face masks...and not easy to misplace.
So a serious question from a first time elk hunter; how many of you grow beards for the elk season? Any downside to a beard for elk camp?
Korey
From: olebuck
09-Sep-14
here here
From: elkmtngear
09-Sep-14
From: eddie c
09-Sep-14
I have a beard year-round, just let it get bushier during hunting season.
From: Destroyer350
09-Sep-14
A beard for me is a must - I still use a face mask though. The only downside is my neck gets hella itchy so I shave that but leave the rest.
From: TurboT
09-Sep-14
I grow every September. I like the camo and feeling like a mtn man once a year. No down sides that I can see. I would recommend growing before your trip to get past the "itchy" phase of growth. elkmtngear... I Hear you on the snow camo.
From: TREESTANDWOLF
09-Sep-14
Yep, snow camo coming in! HA!
From: willliamtell
09-Sep-14
Beards are one of the few areas where a hunter can go true 3-d camo. Fur is a big reason animals are so hard to see when they aren't moving. Besides, who likes to mess around with makeup?
From: Aspen Ghost
09-Sep-14
I'm starting on my snow camo today. I don't like to look too scruffy at work but I'm leaving for the mountains on Saturday and don't like face paint.
From: PowellSixO
09-Sep-14
One down side is if you shoot with a kisser button like I do. Every now and then I get a whisker yanked out. OUCH!!!!! Haha. Hasn't stopped me yet though. I keep my beard all year long, except when we have to do our respirator fit exam once a year for work. They make me shave it off for the darn test. Lol.
From: DeerMount
09-Sep-14
The "snow camo" breaks up the pattern!
From: Swamp Buck
09-Sep-14
It is a MUST. I start a few months before season and shave the second I get home. I can't tell you how nice it is on those chilly mornings or when the wind is howling. And I must say, it has brought me much luck! The longer the beard the bigger the bull!
From: Woodsman416
09-Sep-14
I'm all snow, no camo at this point.
From: Swamp Buck
09-Sep-14
Much Luck!!!
From: Korey Wolfe
09-Sep-14
Swamp Buck confirms it. I will get started now.
From: Candor
09-Sep-14
"Some fathers teach their sons to shave. Others teach their sons to be men. "
read that a few months ago and thought it funny. I don't repeat it in the summer when I am clean shaven.
The other was:
"What a good looking, clean shaven man. Said no one. "
All joking aside...it is considerably warmer when you have a fuzzy face...but for whitetails I still wear some face paint or a mask for many set-ups.
From: The Old Sarge
09-Sep-14
I've not shaved since 28 Feb 1991 ... the last day of active duty. Works great for all manner of hunting. The last several years, it's been nearly solid white and from a distance, probably resembles a rump patch. :0)
From: Rick M
09-Sep-14
I stop shaving a few days before I drive west. Since my body no longer puts any energy into growing hair on my head my beard grows pretty fast. Way better than face paint or a mask! I have more salt than pepper these days but I just figure it looks like ASAT camo:)
From: Ermine
09-Sep-14
I'm clean shaven on hunts. It's my superstition I guess. Hair can hold scent (very very tiny amount I'm sure). But I usually shave my head. The less hair the more successful I am usually.
From: fubar racin
09-Sep-14
Depending on the brand of mask you use some of the new masks you can pass fit test with a beard; just ask my fire chief! Lol
From: ghost30
09-Sep-14
warmth and less mud you gotta rub on
From: oldgoat
09-Sep-14
Elkmtngear mines almost all snow and very little camo so don't feel bad!
From: NorthT
09-Sep-14
I start growing in August and don't shave till feb. Kinda a tradition now. A lot warmer than most face masks, on down side is occasionally getting one stuck in string!
From: BOWINHAND
10-Sep-14
Year round, the other day I found it doubles as lenspen brush on my binos:)
From: GregE
10-Sep-14
SNow? SAlt? What's that??
From: Cheesehead Mike
10-Sep-14
Les has been in the mountains too long!
From: Cheesehead Mike
10-Sep-14
My girlfriend calls mine "double stubble"
From: twojump
12-Sep-14
I try every year.... but most years the itch get's me.... I can't hardly sleep for the 2-weeks before I leave anyway... when my stubble hits the pillow it just drives me crazy and I can't sleep! I also lick my lips or rub my lips more for whatever reason and I end up with the worst chapped lips....
I'm leaving for the last 10 days of the season on Thursday.... I shaved clean this morning...haha
From: doug
12-Sep-14
gotta have a beard for deer season man, it's a tradition.