Hearing protection while hunting?

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  • bstewrat3

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    When I was hunting with rifle rounds in my pistol configured T/C Encore it was mandatory. Now that I am using 35 Remington in a carbine I haven't been wearing any.
     

    Bigtanker

    Cuddles
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    With the good quality electronic muffs, I don't see a reason not to. You can even turn up the mic to hear better when all is quiet.
     

    ars

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    If you can afford quality electronic muffs, go for it. If not, you will not damage yourself for the few shots you take in the field.
     

    Cameramonkey

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    With the good quality electronic muffs, I don't see a reason not to. You can even turn up the mic to hear better when all is quiet.

    If you can afford quality electronic muffs, go for it. If not, you will not damage yourself for the few shots you take in the field.

    Both excellent answers.

    Though I hunted as a teen without any protection (I'm paying for abusing my ears now) I'll take the former. If I crank the volume on my Peltors, I feel like a superhero. I hear every last thing out there. Nothing sneaking up on me. And if you invest in stereo ears, you can even tell the direction as well for an additional advantage.
     

    Tactically Fat

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    I wore my electronics when I was out a few weeks ago. It was fantastic - other than making a few nearby squirrels sound like bigfoot was attacking me.
     

    T.Lex

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    I can't imagine doing any shooting without some sort of ear protection. Well, bow hunting, I've not worn any. :)

    But seriously, even when a young teen bird hunting with my grandfather, we wore the ones you stuff in your ears. I use electronic now.
     

    midget

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    Leo
    This year, I'm using a suppressed 308... Best investment ever.

    Normally when hunting I use my molded ear plugs. I can rotate them outward a bit to allow sound to go in. Then with a quick twist they are in place for when i need to shoot. I find that I can't shoulder a rifle well with over the ear.
     

    Bigtanker

    Cuddles
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    Cameramonkey

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    and to follow da Tanker, I took the advice and went with the Peltor Tac Sport. Best investment ever.

    Though that review is STARTING to get long in the tooth. 3M/Peltor have released newer headsets than what was available back then. I have to presume others have as well. (still good info though)
     

    jy951

    Sharpshooter
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    Feb 18, 2009
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    I use the mushroom looking foam plugs. Occasionally I'll take some standard muffs which are much faster to put on.
     

    jspy5

    Sharpshooter
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    Sep 8, 2012
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    Southern Marion County
    I've worn a pair of Peltor's for years while deer hunting. Like others have said, I enjoy the added benefit of being able to hear a mouse fart and the benefit of hearing protection while shooting just makes sense to me. YMMV
     

    Tactically Fat

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    I guess I am old. I can't imagine wearing that stuff while out hunting.

    The ear muffs also have the added benefit of really helping to keep ears warm, too.

    You should try it. I had no worries of touching off a 16" barreled 5.56 AR while inside a ground blind since I was wearing my ear pro. Granted, I didn't shoot anything - but I could have!
     

    One Shot One Kill

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    Oct 15, 2014
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    Near The Dunes
    I guess I am old. I can't imagine wearing that stuff while out hunting.
    It's not just the old hah, I'm in my 20s and I can't imagine hunting with ears on, though I'm careful to always have them when doing recreational shooting.

    I would imagine I might change my tune if I had a nice pair of ears, but I've only had the cheap ones and those suck in the wind and get in the way of a good cheek weld. I've been eyeing some peltor 6s's after reading this thread, any thoughts on them? Are they compact enough to avoid cheek weld problems?
     
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