Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Hearing protection while hunting

What?

After a number of years in the military without hearing protection, and many years hunting in CA where I simply didn't use any (particularly damaging when duck hunting), my hearing is now perfect for hunting without hearing protection. Of course, I can't hear a TV unless it's cranked up, but such is the tradeoffs in life.

That's what the range masters at my local shooting range use and they wear them for hours. You can can carry on a conversation with them while they're wearing them. I don't think Walkers is expensive enough for people from California.

I use Walkers muffs in cool weather. And use foam plugs in hot weather hunting.
At the rifle range, I use both plugs and muffs.
My hearing is very damaged from not wearing heating protection 30-40 years ago.

Anyone who does not use the best available ear pro these days has not been paying attention...or couldn't hear the answer


mike r

I have been using Otto noizebarriers the last year. I got them on sale for a about $330. Easy charging, hi and low settings, and great sound suppression and stereo amplification if you want it.

I’m the same, but if I trap a bunch of pigs I use the foam plugs.

That's a good answer where legal.

I have a set of Walker Razors I use when I can't wear muffs. They work OK.

In a blind reflecting off water.

HUH?

I SAID......

I use Weston Defend Ear ... (hearing aid that cuts out gun shots)

Works great..

I went through 3 sets of Walkers game ear - these are MUCH better... but cost more.

Given the Weston’s are actually a real hearing aid your medical, and cafeteria accounts can be used for them.

i'm almost completely deaf in my left ear, this past march at the hog hunt one of the guys shot his braked rifle while i was standing about 4ft to the side, no heads up to put hearing protection on.

Depends on the kind of hunting. Dove shooting? Sure, I use hearing protection. Still hunting in a swamp for deer? Nope.

When shooting at targets i use hearing muffs.

But when hunting i don't.

I know i have shot but the sound doesn't sound as loud as when shooting at targets.

The rifle don't recoil as much either.

Plain old muffs for me - most of my hunting is from a vehicle (sneak up to the dams and drains) so I can leave them on and don't need hearing to detect game - all done by visual. Some dams I drive up behind the high side and get out and walk up with my muffs on.

Thanks for all the replies folks.I'll look into the ear pro, Westons,, and Walkers.


The way you're holding that bull makes your rifle look really big!

I like these for rifle hunting. Good to have when you are with others.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001DZO87M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5FbzFbDSD3RWK

Wear both plugs and earmuffs at range.

The duck hunting is where I really need to focus. I've started wearing a walker game ear plug, but it isn't ideal, messes up calling and they annoy me. That where my hearing damage will/has come from.

i do a hearing protection talk at hunter ed and include a piece on hearing protection while hunting. if in an enclosed hut, tent or blind you SHOULD use hearing protection. one of our instructors (who usually bow hunts) shot a rifle while inside a blind and lost hearing on one side. exposed in the woods, not as big a deal for obvious reasons. in either situation, use electronic muffs. They are adequate since you aren't shooting many rounds, usually just one. You can converse and hear game, and they keep your ears warm. This will prevent severe ringing or hearing loss. You can get cheap Howard Leight ones now for around 50 bucks, or you can spend a hundred bucks or more for Peltor or Game Ear, few others...probably work a little better, but i don't believe they are necessary while hunting.

at the range is different and muffs will not provide adequate protection, especially indoors.

At the range I wear foam plugs and ear muffs over those.

Thanks, but I don't wear muffs while hunting, I need the inside the ear type.

And yes, much louder inside, when at the range it's been foam plugs and muffs for many years now.

But outdoors is no fun for me either, touched off a couple of pistol rounds at predators recently, scared off the coyotes and killed a fox. I've now got a pair of muffs by the back door to grab if I need to go out with the gun again.