Hunting with ear protection?

Beer_drinker

Beer_drinker

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Last weekend was the first time I used a shotgun for small game, I found that my 12 guage works so much better than a .22lr but there is a huge drawback for me... NOISE!

The first shot I fired was in thick brush, between a bunch of pines, the report just reflected straight back into my ears.. ouch! It's been 5 days and my left ear is still messed up and i'm worried that it might have permanent damage.


Regular ear plugs would inhibit my ability to hear those grouse flap away but using a centerfire without plugs will lead to hearing loss.... am I just being a giant pussy for giving a crap? what do you guys use during small game hunts?



here's the first critter that the mossy took out, cnt only had #7 1/2 shot in stock, what a mess that made outa the rib cage :D still got plenty of meat from it

ranio001.jpg
 
I use earplugs with a baffle in them... Can't recall what they are called, but it does provide some protection, while allowing you to hear at an almost normal level...

Cheers
Jay
 
I have never wore earplugs hunting until I got my T/C encore in 25-06. After one shot without plugs in and ringing ears for a while after, I vowed never again. At the very least I now wear one in my right ear ( I shoot left handed ) while hunting and if time allows put the left one in before the shot. And just a suggestion after looking at the photos, aim for a spot between the eye and ear when hunting rabbits....less mess.
 
I wouldnt worry about it for centrefire rifle shooting. You wont shoot enough to give yourself real problems.

For shotguns, I usually use light target loads. They are more then enough for grouse/rabbits and they arent nearly as loud.
 
I have two pair of earplugs made by Peltor (I think), that have two ends to them, one end is baffled for when you want to hear, like when in the blind and you are talking with your buddies, yet they shut out much of the noise when shooting. The other end works like traditional plugs, blocking out noise all the time. I've never worn them in the bush, but for waterfowl, they are great. They are worth a look.
 
every shot you take without hearing protection damages your hearing. It is cumulative, and you don't realize how much damage you've done until it's too late. I have permanently damaged my hearing, and don't want anyone else to do the same. I use and like the valve type plugs, they allow some normal sounds to get through and at least partially protect the shooter from impulse noise. If I'm shooting high volume in a stationary hunt like in a goose blind I wear muffs with the little microphones and speakers in them. they work great.
 
Don't worry about it when hunting rabbit and grouse. Wear some if there's gonna be lots of shooting going on (waterfowling for example) but a couple shots here and there won't make you go deaf.

Tazzy has it right. If you shoot right handed and only want one earplug in put it in your left ear. The ear opposite the side you shoot will generally take the better half of the beating.

I never wear any unless were 5-6 guys waterfowling or for skeet shooting.
 
If it's really frosty & cool & game movements sounds are travelling well, I'll use just a little cotton batting for a buffer/filter ..... or use my toque stratrgically. Otherwise it's not worth the hearing handicap.
 
I use my peltor tac6s for hunting all the time. It's actually cool - you can hear better than with nothing. I was hunting pheasants and could hear them running through the corn towards me. :)

if I shoot anything other than a 22 without them, my ears ring for days. I have hearing damage from my younger gun days, and I think my hearig is more sensitive to impulse since then.
 
my ears are so messed up now from guns even hammering a nail makes it ring, when its dead quite i hear constant faint ringing. something i should get checked i guess
Option - i always have tp in my pocket for cleaning my scope or optics or crapping but i wet & stick in my ear now for bird hunting
 
I wear both plugs and muffs while waterfowling and carry foam plugs in my pocket and put them in before shooting while big game hunting.

It's cost me a deer or two when they've been faster than me, but as I already have serious hearing loss and tinnitus I can't afford to shoot un muffled.
 
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