Ear protection when hunting

[HuntHarder]

With the latest argument in the other thread, it got me wondering what everyone does. I think most understand that shooting a gun without hearing protection is a bad idea. Having said that, I rarely see hunters in the field using ear protection. How do you guys do it? Not looking for Dad to tell guys they are dumb, just looking for honest responses.

 

[Macintosh]

What other thread?

My state only made suppressors legal for hunting a handful of years ago, and that was a 3-year trial with a sunset. It was only made permanently legal a year ago. State I grew up in and where my family has a camp, suppressors are still illegal to possess. I’ve been hunting for almost 40 years, and the type of hunting I do most with a rifle makes ear pro almost impossible. Even the new custom in-ear stuff isnt good for me, as I havent yet found anything that will stay put in my apparently mis-shapen ears. I also did a lot of bird hunting for many years, so much higher volume of shots compared to big game hunting.
So put me in the no suppressor/no ears camp, but not by choice. Actually I have never met a single person in this area who hunts either suppressed or with ears. I just got my first suppressor. No shocker, my hearing is pretty messed up by now.

 

[Blackbird]

I’m now using a suppressor since moving to a state where they are legal. I think it should be illegal to not use them. My hearing is not what it should be and I’m sure a lot of that has to do with shooting unsuppressed with no ear protection growing up.

 

[iamthenick]

I use a silencer for gun season but wish I had something for muzzleloader season... might get electronic this year idk

 

[AZ Gator]

I voted suppressor and no ear pro. Before I got into the greatness of suppressors, I used electronic ear plugs while hunting.

 

[Kaleb]

I’m not at all familiar with the electronic stuff. Probably a dumb question but I’ve looked at makes that block out noise enhance hearing and I think use as ear buds. Seems like something that you could use for more than just hunting and shooting. Any comments on something like that?

 

[Luke S]

I found cheap Walker ear muffs and electric ear plugs so so. For hunting on a bear bait they were fine. Stalking in the wind was not great (lots of static). I don't think I heard sound direction as well. That is really only a big problem if you might walk up on a bait and knowing where that twig snapped is real important. I'd use either of them deer hunting. They are better than foam ear plugs if you are moving. If I can use a suppressor I do that. Very nice to not worry about such things.
I'm told the expensive ear muffs and plugs are noticeably better. I guess if you can't have a $800 suppressor you could have $800 ear pro....
No perfect options. But wear something . i lost noticeable hearing when a gun went off near my ear (not my rifle). I'll never get it back.

 

[nm.otter]

In-ear foamies or ribbed rubber, sealed 50-70% when I'm anywhere near a live gun. Twist in and/or add OTA as needed. Suppressor negates the need for OTA most of the time

 

[braydencase7]

I pop in foam ones when using my rifle with a break I've always had time, I don't waterfowl hunting and definitely need to start.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

 

[Fowl Play]

I have suppressors. The Otto’s are way cheaper though and work for basically all of my pursuits.

 

[Southern Lights]

Suppressor, but I also have a pair of Otis Earshields around my neck. If I have time to setup a shot, or am on an active stalk onto the animal, I'll put them on for extra protection.

EarShield™ Scout Hearing Protection

EarShield™ Scout by Otis Technology feature a Sound Reduction Chamber Technology that changes the sport shooter experience. Now you can shield your ears from high-decibel noise comfortably while hearing other sound frequencies such as speech, clearly, without removing your gear. Unlike muffs...

otistec.com

 

[06 SB]

I now hunt suppressed without hearing protection. Prior to last year, I hunted unsuppressed without hearing protection. Between being around jets and hunting my hearing is pretty bad. I always worn ear protection at the range. I really want to keep what hearing I have left!

 

[xebadir]

Custom molded electronics. I bird hunt and in those situations you don’t have the time and need to be able to hear. Use the same when rifle hunting, well I did until I lost them in the field. Have been using a set of Walkers since, but need to get a new set before season.

 

[HuntHarder]

I used to always have the howard leight ear pro band around my neck when I rifle hunted. Still many times I forgot to put them in. I try and make it a point to always atleast stuff in those ribbed ear plugs, but I'd be lieing if I said I do on every shot. Thank god for suppressors or my hearing would likely be much worse.

The initial results of this poll are in libe with what I have seen. *Most,while hunting, do not put in ear pro for the shot. It 100% leads to more "huhs" and "whats"

 

[Caseknife]

I've been hunting for over 50 years and the last two years haven't hunted suppressed. Timber hunt always carrying my rifle in hand for essentially jump shooting animals a very close range. Have tried electronic in ear protection but they really distort the directional noises which doesn't work at all. Always wear protection on the bench and late whitetail hunting at home on my range has been suppressed with muffs the last few years. Has my hearing suffered, yes, but as you age your hearing also diminishes. My wife has worse hearing than I do in certain tones and has not been around the amount of gunfire that I have at all, and her 50+ years of hospital work did not hurt her hearing. Makes me wonder about all the young kids these days with earbuds that play their music so loud that others can hear it. Many, many rock concerts in my younger years has probably harmed my hearing more, 2 hours of painfully loud music at a whack.

 

[bpitcher]

Up until recently, I don't think I've ever shot an animal wearing ear protection. Now that I'm older and (slightly) less stupid, I hunt suppressed and carry ear pro as well.

On the upside, when my wife is giving me hell I can just turn my left ear to her.

"Huh?"

 

[xsn10s]

I currently hunt non suppressed and ear pro. When I do get a suppressor I will still hunt with ear pro. I have to due to hearing damage from military service.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Suppressed and do not plan on wearing ear pro for a shot, but I certainly pack foamies in the bino harness and in my hygiene kit. Mostly just for sleeping.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

I hunt a non suppressor state and use foam ear plugs prior to my shot.
It is rare for me to shoot biggame with no hearing protection these days.

 

[rickyw]

Silicon plugs on a plastic band around my neck. Never lose them. Quick to put in. Not much hassle at all