Hearing protection

[litman252]

What do you guys wear on your ears when deer hunting???
Do you go with out, couple shots does not bother you??
electronic muffs???(brand please) or something else??
I am wondering the difference between a revolver and a contender far as the noise level.  I am not planing on shooting any thing over a 44 mag if it matters to ya, .357 NM 4 5/8" blackhawk is it in the hunting handguns for now.

Thanks much.
Tony :-)

[10+1]

I dont wear anything while hunting. If I shoot at a indoor range, then almost always you have to, by rules. When I shoot outside I dont wear them when I am actually the one shooting, but I do wear them when I'm watching others.

Thats just me though, everyone 'should' wear the proper safety equiptment always whenever possible.

 :excuseme:

[RWG]

I always wear hearing protection when I'm hunting. I either have a set of plugs, regular muffs or amplified muffs. My electronic muffs are many years old they are Gentec Wolf Ears. They work great but are heavy some of the newer muffs would probably work just as well but be quite a bit lighter. Any time you fire a gun w/o hearing protection you are damaging your hearing.

Ronnie

[4xdakota]

I never wore hearing protection when hunting until I shot a doe with the barrel of my pistol resting on the windoow ledge of my blind  (the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone inside the blind).  I will make that mistake only once.  The rest of my pistol shots have not been in a blind. And then I do not use any hearing protection.

[rickyp]

I have one of them $2.00 gear hooks or a screw in tree step that I hang just over my head. On this hook I place a set of camo painetd normal range muffs. when I see a deer comming in I will reach up and slide them on my head and then reach ofer for my contender. It is all a quick and smooth action. I do not like to take a rushed shot ( but have) so the time it takes to do this is not troubles for me. I want a set of the eletronic muffs but they are not needed

[HGHunter]

Here is what I do with certain pistols in hunting situations.

Contender 12" 35 Rem Hunter barrel with a muzzle break
Ruger Redhawk 44 mag 7 1/2"

For these 2 I use those earplugs that are attached to a semicircular metal band that I can leave hanging around the back of my neck.  (I think I got them at one of  the Marts K or Wal very inexpensive) When I see a deer comming I just put them in my ears since they are under tension from the band they do not need to be positioned like a foam pair.  This action only takes about 1 to 2 seconds.  It only took one deer shot with my 44 for me to start using these ear plugs.

Now for my contender with 14" 6.5JDJ barrel no break I don't need anything as the noise is nowhere near that of the other 2 calibers.

However, some folks are very sensitive to sharp loud noises even in the field.  So obviously they should wear some type of ear protection.

Hope this helps.

[palgeno]

I use a Walker's Game Ear in EACH ear----helps me hear the deer crunching through the leaves and protects what hearing is left---works well even with big bores with muzzle tamers.  Palgeno

[Jim n Iowa]

I am thinking of the Walker Quad electronic muffs for hunting and at the range. My hearing has been failing for years, "huh" is usually my first responce to a question. I have never talked to anyone that has used them hunting, I think I could live with the muffs while hunting, may be a plus in the cold.
Jim

[billjoe]

ProEars brand.  They amplify sounds and then cut all the decibels to under 80 when you shoot.  I hear BETTER in the wood with the amplification they provide.  They also keep the ears warm.  ProEars has a 5 yr warrenty, the best I know of.  I would never hunt without them!
 
bj

[keoni]

I have been handgun hunting for 13 years. Have used .22 rimfire, .44 mag., 7X30 waters and .45ACP. Revolvers, semi-autos and Contender. Never used hearing protection while hunting until three years ago when I started using a 12" 45-70 with brake. The first year I didnt use any hearing protection, but after two shots I decided to use some. Last year I had regular muffs nearby but not on my head. That worked okay for the first deer shot, but I wasn't able to put them on for the second deer. This year I bought and used a Pro Ears
Dimension I. Hunted seven days and wore them at all times while hunting. I could hear as well if not better than with no muffs, muffled the sound of the 45-70 and kept my ears warm.Got mine from Brownells in three days. Killed a 9 point buck too.
Keoni

[tripper]

I never  useed any ear protection and am paying the price now. If I want to hear anything before it is under me I need my walker game ear. I use regular muffs on the range but will be going to electronic for the range and gun hunting. A friend of mine has a set  with the Winchester name on them and they work great.

[Van/TX]

Too late for me.  My left ear rings constantly if I think about it.  4 + decades of shooting has taken it's toll.  Those loud bands in the 60's didn't help either :-) ......Van

[Hcliff]

I use the ear plug that have a cord attached to them.  I put the cord over the top of my ear, so the they hang at the ear level.  When  a deer comes in I pop them in because they are right there.   Works well.  I have shot with out protection in a wooden box blind (not a good idea) and I won't do that again

Hcliff

[LAREDOBOB]

When at the range I will always wear hearing protection usually ear plugs AND ear muffs. I am a believer after 25 years working around jet engines with no hearing loss, due to wearing ear protection. I never wear them when hunting, before I fire the shot I JUST QUIT LISTENING!  :-D  :-D  :-D