BSA,
Well, old, worn out ones that aren’t real tight must be the operative words as the front sight hoods that I’ve messed around with were actually pretty difficult to get on and off. But, I do agree, it is possible for a sight hood to fall off and be lost.
It has always been my sense that rather than being ‘lost while hunting in the thick stuff’ the majority of missing front sight hoods were removed because they interfered with the scope’s sight picture, and were then placed in a drawer to be lost or forgotten. I feel that in my younger years I hunted very hard and can’t recall ever losing one.
It helps to wrap the jaws of the pliers with a little electrical tape to prevent marring the inside of the sight hood or ramp.
Good advice pocono..
