Author Topic: Do you wear hearing protection when hunting? (Read 3113 times)

Rum River · « **Reply #30 on:** May 25, 2005, 02:40:25 AM »

I use the Peltor tactical muffs all the time. In cold weather I can wear a lighter hat than usual, the muffs keep my ears from freezing.

When prairie dogging in 95 degree heat, I won't deny they get warm, but after the first half-hour or so you get used to them.

The Peltors cost around $120-$140 depending on where you find them. I know there are less expensive electronic muffs, but I like the Peltor tactical because of the slimmer design. Far easier to use when shooting longguns. I've seen some electronic muffs in the $80-$90 range, but they were bulky, not all had a volume control on both sides, and the decibel reduction level wasn't as good as the Peltor.

DannoBoone · « **Reply #31 on:** June 02, 2005, 03:17:44 PM »

Guess I'll have to try the amplified hearing protection. Tried just straight
ear muffs and they worked great at the range. However, I missed hearing
the 10-pointer walking 25yds behind me and spotted him only after he
had winded me with the only target being the "eye" below the flag. Felt
really low after that and went to my "hiding place" to pollish off a six-pack
(hunting was over for that day), only to have my wife sneak up on me as
I was finishing off the sixth, told me to get back to the house, and get to
work. Then I awakened, the alarm clock was going off for the first morning
of deer season............whewwwwww!!

jro45 · « **Reply #32 on:** June 19, 2005, 03:54:40 AM »

I'm going Black Bear hunting in Aug. using my 338 Rem Ultra Mag down loaded with a 250 R.N. bullet going 2730 fps. This gun has a brake on it so I took it off and I am having a thread cover made so the brakes threads don't get ruined. That will cut some noise out and I'll wear ear plugs If I can remember like I already said.

Deb15 · « **Reply #33 on:** June 29, 2005, 07:25:03 PM »

Right now I hunt only with rimfire guns, but even so, I always carry earmuffs with me. I have them hanging half out of a bag on my belt, so if I need to put them on quick, I can grab them. If I anticipate having to shoot quickly, I wear them as I walk, and the Peltor amplified earmuffs (Tactical 6-s) are good for allowing me to hear sounds around as I walk.

Deb

Mannlicher · « **Reply #34 on:** July 09, 2005, 02:02:52 PM »

Mannlicher · « **Reply #35 on:** July 09, 2005, 02:07:47 PM »

g_gunter · « **Reply #36 on:** September 09, 2005, 06:34:11 AM »

I've always worn hearing protection while hunting. No exceptions. I used to wear the foam earplugs but have since, in the past year, begun using the Silencio ear valves which take enough of the edge off of the .44 mag to be useful. I can still hear deer walking with them on. I don't use them at the range (only foam earplugs or muffs for that) but since I take only one shot while hunting the ear valves, I feel, are adequate protection. Also, they are only about $8.00 at Wal-Mart.

g_gunter

dougk · « **Reply #37 on:** September 29, 2005, 11:25:49 AM »

After researching hearing protection for the last 2 months. I was ready to close the deal on a set of Pro-Ear Sporting Clay ear muffs, even with the temperature being 104 yesterday. BUT, I found a deal on in the canal sound protectors called SportEars through the NRA. The price was more than the Pro Ears, I don't need ear muffs given my shooting is outside and mostly in hunting situations. If I go to the range the old cheap muffs work great.

I'm so excited, what a deal... I just hope they work :-D

Doug

Lawdog · « **Reply #38 on:** September 30, 2005, 12:09:59 PM »

Doug,

Quote

I'm so excited, what a deal... I just hope they work :-D

I do too because you've bet your hearing on them. :| Lawdog

NONYA · « **Reply #39 on:** September 30, 2005, 01:18:50 PM »

Huh?What?

dougk · « **Reply #40 on:** September 30, 2005, 03:17:20 PM »

Quote

I do too because you've bet your hearing on them. Lawdog

Actually, my hearing is fine and I intend to keep it that way. And I am betting on the NRA, given they are offering the SportEars as one of their endorsed programs.

These appear to be the best deal on in the ear hearing protection.

Doug

Lawdog · « **Reply #41 on:** October 01, 2005, 11:24:54 AM »

dougk,

Quote

And I am betting on the NRA

As a long time Life Member of the NRA, since 1969, I support the NRA completely except when it comes to items they recommend. Then I do lots of checking into data from unbiased testing companies. It was from a few of these reports that the Walkers came in first in reducing db levels. And seeing that I have lost enough of my hearing Im not taking any chances with anything but the best. I wish you the best of luck with your purchase. Lawdog

winman · « **Reply #42 on:** October 06, 2005, 02:32:28 AM »

I bought some Action Ear electronic muffs several years ago hoping to protect my hearing AND to assist me in hearing any movement of deer in the immediate area. These muffs picked up too much wind noise in the field. I stopped using them after a day or two.

I always use muffs when target shooting but not while hunting.

dougk · « **Reply #43 on:** October 07, 2005, 11:25:59 PM »

Lawdog wrote:

Quote

And seeing that I have lost enough of my hearing Im not taking any chances with anything but the best

Lawdog I couldn't agree more... I got the SportEars yesterday and they are great. The in the canal ear protection appear to not be affected by wind.

dougk · « **Reply #44 on:** October 10, 2005, 04:24:41 PM »

The fit in my left ear was not completely snug, so I called Harris Quest the manufacturer of SportEars and they are providing me with custom fitted ear protection. What a customer focused company, I am refering them to my friends and family. I am glad I found them in the NRA vendor program.

Doug

oldhunter · « **Reply #45 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:51:12 AM »

When I was a kid, I practically lived on a rifle range. From age 10 until 14, I was the "gopher" who would run to the 100, 200 or 300 yard targets and return them to the firing line. In trade, many of the bench shooters loaded light loads for me to shoot and slowly worked up to their regular loads as I grew older. This was in the early 1950's and I was quite happy with this situation as I learned from the very best about everything necessary in shooting. Unfortunately, no one ever thought about hearing protection in those days. WHAT has been a constant word in my vocabulary for 50 years. This was an era of true "wildcatting" as some of those men were very creative in what they tried to develope.

Now that I am retired and able to spend more time hunting than before, I also want full time hearing amplification and protection from both handguns, shotguns and rifles. Have used plugs and muffs at the range for years, and plugs while hunting but never muffs while hunting. Will soon make a decision as to what I will buy but also will continue to read up on everything I can before I spend my hard earned money.

I would also like to know if any of you have had problems with the amplified muffs interfering with the stock of a shotgun or rifle in a hunting situation where a quick shot may be necessary. I don't want to knock the muff off my ear and lose the protection. Muffs are my preferred choice as the temperatures in deer season often are in the teens or lower and I want the warmth they offer.

oldhunter

Scott T · « **Reply #46 on:** April 29, 2006, 01:13:48 PM »

Yes, I wear them. A cheap pair of foam plugs are in the pocket all the time.