Let's talk hearing protection while hunting..

[squigz]

Hi Guys, 

So basically as the title states, I'm looking to figure out some hearing protection guidelines when handgun hunting. All my life, while hunting I've never paid attention to it. Always shot a rifle or a shotgun without it because one blast "wasn't enough to hurt my ears". Yeah, right. 

This year I'm ahead of the game with meat in the freezer and I'm dedicating the rest of the season (minus bear since we push them and I want a rifle to make sure I put a clean shot on the animal in a quick precise manner) to handgun hunting.

Now, I've taken a revolver (Smith 57) out before and I've missed   but boy were my ears ringing after. I didn't even think about protection at that point for my ears. Most, if not all of the hunting outside of opening morning, is done by pushing deer into standers, and a lot of the time it's movement based spotting but it's also a lot of hearing involvement as well. So I'm trying to find a happy medium. 

I have a set of ear plugs that had ceramic inserts that protect your ears when the decibels raise above a certain point, I've tested them on the range and they work well in a open area, not intended for inside shooting at all.. They work well in the same aspect that I can hear general conversation and movement on the ground; it isn't as muffled as a straight protection piece. But as soon as you start walking, you can hear every breath that's taken, the blood rushing through your body... things that you don't want to hear or are expecting to hear are becoming elevated, lets simply put it as such. Link to ear plugs mentioned.

So I'm here to discuss what everyone else does, and what works best for you. Sitting in place is one thing, walking is another. 

[potatojudge]

I use either Howard Leight or Peltor electronic muffs. Yes, you end up noticing all kinds of extra noises compared to un-aided hearing, but I don't get the breathing/blood thing unless I have plugs of some sort in.

Less effective but still helpful, I have used a Mad Bomber hat in the past. With the chin strap snug the hat and fur lining do a good job protecting my ears for those one or two shots I might take when hunting.

[magnumwheelman]

I don't have anything I like yet... but am looking at these...

ads.midwayusa.com/product/275487/walkers-razor-x-neck-worn-rechargeable-electronic-ear-plugs-nrr-31db-flat-dark-earth

www.midwayusa.com/product/939578/walkers-razor-slim-quad-electronic-earmuffs-with-bluetooth-nrr-23db-black

[jsh]

I got a set of Walker muffs a while back. I had some others in years past and they were ok but not great. I have used these a couple of times thus far. I can hear conversations at the far end of the line, which in turn is distracting to me. I am really wanting to get out with a wheelgun and do some sitting. These should come in handy for that.
Going to a rifle, I have never found a set of muffs that let me get a good check weld on the stock. So I am with plugs there. I have not tried any of the electronic plugs. Interested to hear what folks are using.
Jeff

[depcon3]

I have a set of the Walker electronic muffs, they work allright for more open areas. I use plugs with the muffs when on a covered shooting range, but when hunting with rifles or handguns the muffs alone are sufficient. I wish I had started using hearing protection while hunting much earlier than I did.

[Stump Buster]

I've used the Howard Leight Impact Sport here and in Africa. I won't hunt without them. They help you hear soo much better than normal (especially if you have constant tinnitus like I do) and force you to walk more silently. As my PH told me... "You're the quietest BIG man I've ever hunted with. I have to keep looking back to see if you're still with me." (PH code word for "Husky" kid)

They're a priceless piece of equipment in the field IMO.



PS: I have also gone to hunting with rigid African Style shooting sticks here as well. They can move brush out of your way, raise branches silently over your head, encourage snakes off your path, function as a walking stick, work as a tri-pod when crossing thigh deep waterways and of course act as a steady rest in a pinch. I've found they are a pretty handy tool to have on hand as well, especially while handgun hunting.

[magman]

I went with the Razor X neck worn set. Unobtrusive and I like the NRR of 31. I have not used them for hunting yet, but they work well at the range.

[magnumwheelman]

I'm leaning that way myself, for unobstructed cheek weld on scoped rifles

[squigz]

This is all great stuff, thanks so much everyone.

I really like the bomber hat idea. I can't see myself walking around very much with earmuffs but maybe to save myself a little I can at least try it and see.

I also have an issue with cheek welds on rifles with using ear muffs, generally when hunting I don't worry about the protection on rifles, but maybe I should consider it as well..

I really like Stump Busters idea of carrying african shooting sticks, even tho I'm far from there in the North East of the US, they probably would come in handy for walk, moving brush and steady holds. I'll have to look some up, and if I can't buy some I'll figure out how to make some.

Thanks guys! Keep your ears healthy, the little bit of tinnitus I have is starting to get to me in some cases already.

[bula]

I have a lot a bit of tinnitus. Had access to hearing PPE from before having a drivers license, but we didn't carry it afield. One friend had a 6.5" 357BH, I still have no use for that bore size due to horrible blast. Why am liking the 480 and TB loads. Have ruined a set of e-muffs shooting clays in the rain one day. Several sets of various e-muffs here now but not finding a field worthy ready to hunt solution. Will take my current set of Walkers to camp this weekend and try to protect under watch cap/hat. 

[junebug]

I use electronic muffs. They allow me to hear deer walking again. Bad tinnitus in both ears. First time I wore the muffs was spring turkey hunting severrrral years ago and it took awhile to figure out sounds I was hearing. It was bird song and regular woods noises I hadn't heard in so long I had forgotten them.I won't hunt without my muffs again. Protect it or loose it it NEVER comes back and only gets worse.

[sportster]

Why put muffs on your head when you can put muffs on the gun? Seriously though it only works on semi autos and rifles but I am deer hunting with a suppressor again this year.

[Robster]

Nov 21, 2017 20:22:24 GMT -5 sportster said:

Why put muffs on your head when you can put muffs on the gun? Seriously though it only works on semi autos and rifles but I am deer hunting with a suppressor again this year.

Not legal in NY

[Robster]

Nov 14, 2017 0:33:33 GMT -5 Stump Buster said:

I've used the Howard Leight Impact Sport here and in Africa. I won't hunt without them. They help you hear soo much better than normal (especially if you have constant tinnitus like I do) and force you to walk more silently. As my PH told me... "You're the quietest BIG man I've ever hunted with. I have to keep looking back to see if you're still with me." (PH code word for "Husky" kid)

They're a priceless piece of equipment in the field IMO.



PS: I have also gone to hunting with rigid African Style shooting sticks here as well. They can move brush out of your way, raise branches silently over your head, encourage snakes off your path, function as a walking stick, work as a tri-pod when crossing thigh deep waterways and of course act as a steady rest in a pinch. I've found they are a pretty handy tool to have on hand as well, especially while handgun hunting.

Thanks for the tip! just bought two pair from Home Depot, one for me and one for my son.

[wgg]

I just picked up a set of Peltor Range Master electronic muffs. I tried them out during lunch at the range and I was impressed, its an outdoor range, I could traffic passing by and a scanner. I was shooting a 44 Special 7.5 Unique 240 LFN and a 357 loaded with 180 WFN over 13.5 H110 and noise was not bad at all. I will try them out in the morning when I go hunting. I have moderate hearing loss from shooting and I don't want to loose any more if I can help it.