Author Topic: Do you wear hearing protection when hunting? (Read 3111 times)

jason280 · « **on:** April 30, 2005, 12:50:36 PM »

I've hunted with handguns for several years, and I've taken quite a few animals with various pistols chambered in .44 Remington magnum. One thing I've never done, however, is wear hearing protection while hunting. I hunted one season with a S&W 629 PowerPort, and my ears rang for three days after shooting a doe one evening.

So, here's my question. How do you cope with the elevated noise levels when hunting? I tried a set of elctronic ear muffs, and really couldn't get used to them. I've since moved up to using a 7-30 Waters in a Contender, and this gun is extremely loud (has the factory brake). I'm not sure how much louder it is than a .44, but it seems to be considerable!

Any advice?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2005, 01:26:15 PM »

Normally I do not wear hearing protection, but this year I am using my 500 MAG that is ported and I will use foam ear plugs.

jhalcott · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2005, 01:55:32 PM »

I use ear protection when using a hand gun or a ported rifle. I worked for 34 years in a noisy invironment(steel mill) and have some hearing left.
It is much better to put up with the discomfort of the protection than wear a hearing aid to hear your grand kids say they love you!

longwalker · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2005, 02:19:23 PM »

I always wear hearing protection. I use a SRH 44 and it hurts to shoot without plugs. Normally I will have a hat pulled down around my ears and a hooded sweatshirt and a hooded jacket. The wind is usually blowing so any benefit from no ear plugs is minimal. I just keep better watch.

longwalker

lisa1lacy2 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2005, 02:25:32 PM »

I have a 7-30 with brake and I can tell you it is much louder than any 44 I guarantee I shot mine one time without ear protection and it heart I have shot many 357-44-45s without protection and no comparison not a good idea even 22lr I have just started wearing protection whin I hunt

rickyp · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2005, 02:39:47 PM »

Last year is the first year I have worn amplified hearing protection.
the set I got was from pro-ears I got the stalker D-2 the ones with the you can put a CD player / mp-3 player.

They work great I could hear more deer walking up to me then not I have had some come in that I did not hear.

I shot a nice doe opening day just at dawn, all she did was run off. she didn't act like I hit her then I could hear her drop in the leaves at about 100 yards behind me. If i did not hear her fall I would have sworn I missed When I looked for signs of a hit I could not find anything and this was at 80 yards with a 12 ga slug.

I will now not go in the hunting woods with out them!!!
I tried them for range work they are not real good with a lot of gun fire going off but for a single shot they are great.

They even shutdown on other hunters shot way off in the distance. they will shut down if a bird or other animal makes a load noise.
by all means get you a set

Old Griz · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2005, 09:46:27 PM »

:cb2: I never shoot without em. Used to take ear plugs and always had them out and ready. Now I use behind the neck amplified Peltor muffs. (Wear a hat most ot the time.) I've lost enough hearing and need to save what's left. The tinnitus can get pretty loud at times, too.

Mayor of Hobbs Knob · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2005, 01:43:23 AM »

I saved up for a set of Walker Game Ear Quad Muffs. I wear hearing aids and the quads help me hear animals approaching and stop the pain of all my heavy handguns both in the woods and on the range. It was half the price of another handcannon, but I would never shoot without them and would replace them in a heartbeat. Just MHO.

Mayor

williek · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2005, 01:51:42 AM »

Eh?

What did you say?

?
I ignored the noise until I noticed I was having trouble hearing. Mostly in crowds with a lot of background noise. Now I sit and smile, nod my head in agreement to whatever it was they said, and pretend I understand whatever it is that they're talking about. People love to talk to me cause I'm really a great listener!
I usually have my portable listening device with me (my wife). She tells my what they said if she thinks it's important. The beautiful young blondes evidently never say anything important.
Nah! Ignore it like I did. People will talk about what a great listener you are. (Of course, you'll never hear it.)
williek

poncaguy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2005, 04:14:55 AM »

Well, I usually just fire one shot.. :lol: , but my hearing is already bad from firing a 105 Howitzer in Germany every morning when we raised the flag (MP'S) But I do plan on getting some kind of good amplified hearing protection. Any ideas? Muffs always feel like they're squeezing my brains out.
Thanks guys!

Old Griz · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2005, 07:02:26 AM »

:cb2: The good thing about muffs is that they keep your ears warm and toasty on coooooooold winter mornings!

Lawdog · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2005, 08:44:25 AM »

Quote from: jason280

I've hunted with handguns for several years, and I've taken quite a few animals with various pistols chambered in .44 Remington magnum. One thing I've never done, however, is wear hearing protection while hunting. I hunted one season with a S&W 629 PowerPort, and my ears rang for three days after shooting a doe one evening.

So, here's my question. How do you cope with the elevated noise levels when hunting? I tried a set of elctronic ear muffs, and really couldn't get used to them. I've since moved up to using a 7-30 Waters in a Contender, and this gun is extremely loud (has the factory brake). I'm not sure how much louder it is than a .44, but it seems to be considerable!

Any advice?

After a lifetime of hunting/shooting and working as an LEO I have lost enough of my hearing. I tried to wear protection as much/when I could but once gone its gone. So I wear Walkers Game Ear II in both ears while hunting no matter whether its a handgun, rifle or shotgun. They have a noise reduction rating of NRR 29 dB while still amplifying sounds. Greatest part of all is again hearing all the sounds that you used to hear back when you were a kid. At the range we(the family) wears Walkers Quad Power Muffs. Worth every penny of their cost. Lawdog

palgeno · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2005, 01:05:34 PM »

Ditto Lawdog's comments---two Game Ears hunting and Quad muffs at the range---and sometimes the muffs when hunting in cold weather to keep the ears warm----wish I had one for he bald spot!!!! :shock: pg

Lawdog · « **Reply #13 on:** May 02, 2005, 12:26:50 PM »

Quote from: palgeno

wish I had one for he bald spot!!!! :shock: pg

:idea: Go sheep hunting and use bits of the hide for a cover?? :-D Lawdog

palgeno · « **Reply #14 on:** May 02, 2005, 02:30:11 PM »

Sheep hide could work---the good thing about the Game Ear is that they do not interfere with hunter orange headgear---maybe a spray can of dayglo orange paint would work for hot weather??!! :shock: :eek: :lol: pg

keoni · « **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2005, 07:28:39 PM »

Pro-Ears, since I started using a ported 12" 45-70 for deer hunting three years ago. I'm satisfied with them.

RANGER RICK · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2005, 12:12:58 PM »

Yep , never leave home without a pair . I also use the amplified type while hunting and at the range . I have been using my handgun for hunting here lately , it's a 500mag and I could not even think of not wearing ear protection launching one of these lead slugs :eek: :eek:

RR

Tom W. · « **Reply #17 on:** May 07, 2005, 05:50:46 PM »

I always take muffs with me, and sometimes plugs, too. It doesn't tale but a second or two to put them on, or with the amplified muffs, to just leave them on.

My son shot three hogs with his .480 two seasons ago, all within three minute timespan. He was deaf for a week or two, and in pain. He won't shoot it without muffs anymore!

palgeno · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2005, 05:56:14 AM »

To quote Col."Iron Balls" Whitney--- an ex artillery officer ---who answered every question the same way,----WHAT?

:eek: pg

Alaninga · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2005, 03:13:01 AM »

the ear you want to be able to hear out of for the rest of your life. My 'ringing' shot came on a wet day,,,snowing [humid air really transfers shock waves] and I took ONE shot at a wild cur dog with a RIFLE having a 20" barrel chambered in 250 Akley Improved. Ears rang for days,,,any sound of a particular pitch would make it seem as tho that sound was coming thru a sheet of aluminum foil [tintintis?]. I NOW know how stupid it is to NOT wear hearing protection. I do believe too many 'think' it won't bother them if they can "stand" noise-they often laugh at those that hold there hands over their ears when folks fire guns. "STANDING IT" won't keep your hearing from being PERMANENTLY D A M A G E D ! ! !.
That shot I took was about in 1984. I still hear some ringing in a quiet room.
Alan in GA.

Lawdog · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2005, 09:06:59 AM »

Alan,

Quote

That shot I took was about in 1984. I still hear some ringing in a quiet room.

I know exactly what you're talking about and the only problem is it only gets worse with age. Young or just starting out shooters need to do whatever it takes to guard against loosing any of their hearing. Take it from those of us that have been there. Lawdog

Grunthunter · « **Reply #21 on:** May 13, 2005, 03:06:19 PM »

I've been using those 'Sonic Valves' for years. I learned the hard way back in '68 when I shot my Ruger Single-Six with the .22 Mag cylinder in it, squating in front of my girlfriends car. I fired ONE shot in that position and it HURT !!! When I got in her car I was TOTALLY DEAF! It was at least half an hour before I could hear anything. Now I am at least half to 3/4 deaf in my right ear and also partially deaf in my left ear. My ears ring so loud I can't figure out why anyone next to me can't hear them ringging also. Now, I'm starting to think about some sort of amplified hearing devices for hunting. The only thing I don't like about them down here is it gets so damn hot and makes them real uncomfortable. I still carry my 'ear valves' with me and try to remember to put them in when I see something coming my way.

Bottom line. it aint being a sissy to protect your hearing .... just plenty stupid not to! God help our next generation driving around in their speaker boxes ... dumb, dumb, dumb !

Lawdog · « **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2005, 11:11:27 AM »

Grunthunter,

You might check out the new Walkers Game Ear Digital ITC at http://www.walkersgameear.com/itc.asp. Fits completely in the ear so even in the heat they shouldn't bother you that much. My only worry is will they fall out during recoil? Lawdog

dougk · « **Reply #23 on:** May 14, 2005, 01:27:45 PM »

Given I am cheap and would use cotton if it worked. What is the cheapest ear protection with amplification for hunting? I am trying to stay away from muffs given it will be rather warm in Texas.
Thanks,
Doug

Lawdog · « **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2005, 08:25:18 AM »

Quote from: dougk

Given I am cheap and would use cotton if it worked. What is the cheapest ear protection with amplification for hunting? I am trying to stay away from muffs given it will be rather warm in Texas.
Thanks,
Doug

I figure it this way, What is your hearing worth? Lawdog

Sourdough · « **Reply #25 on:** May 15, 2005, 08:47:43 AM »

I am hard of hearing anyway (working on an Air Force base for twenty years with lots of takeoff and landings nearby) so I wear Action Ears. I have used them for about twenty years, they heto keep the bears from sneaking up on me. Also they shut off when you fire a gun, so I don't get the noise. I wear them at the range so I can talk to other folks when shooting, and so that I am accoustomed to wearing them.

jro45 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 18, 2005, 04:22:43 AM »

I try to remember to bring mine when hunting and most of the time I do but then I got to remember to ware them [ear plugs]. I shot a 357 mag one time and couldn't hear for about 3 to 5 min. with out ear protection.

rickyp · « **Reply #27 on:** May 18, 2005, 06:04:43 AM »

I keep my muffs in a hard plastic handgun case. It is always easy to find in the back of my truck and takes up enough room that I will not forget to grab them.

Once I get to my hunting spot the first thing I put on is the muffs. I can hear animals (and people) moving around me I will keep them on and turned on while I am hunting. I can hear every foot step I make so it makes me walk quieter while hunting. If I should jump something I will be protected.

dougk · « **Reply #28 on:** May 23, 2005, 01:36:43 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

Quote from: dougk
Given I am cheap and would use cotton if it worked. What is the cheapest ear protection with amplification for hunting? I am trying to stay away from muffs given it will be rather warm in Texas.
Thanks,
Doug

I figure it this way, What is your hearing worth? Lawdog

Let me clarify, there are alot of very expensive hearing protection. The question what is the best value in hearing protection for hunting?
Doug

Old Griz · « **Reply #29 on:** May 23, 2005, 01:53:15 PM »

:cb2: Check out MidwayUSA. They had some on sale for $39, but I'm not sure if that is still valid.