First time deer hunting Saturday, Question

[Hyrulejedi86]

I went this morning and afternoon. I put one plug in my left ear which is the ear that would be toward the muzzle but left it a little loose so I could push it in when the time came. Unfortunately, never saw anything so I couldn't see how well that worked. Gonna try again tomorrow afternoon and see what happens.

Thanks for all the input there has been allot of good responses and it's been interesting to see the different opinions.

 

[oneounceload]

If you're on a stand then hear protection is doable but still hunting? Awkward at best.

Not with electronic hearing where you can amplify the sounds - besides the Walker's I mentioned earlier, there are in-the-ear versions that look like an in the ear hearing aid

 

[sixgunner455]

Electronic ear muffs for me. Keep'em by the bed next to my pistol, hang'em from my belt when hiking (whether hunting or just hiking). Put'em on when cold or when I see an animal, or when on stand.

Long shots are normal out here with high power centerfire rifles, usually plenty of time to plug or put on muffs before the shot.

 

[BigBore45]

I use hearing protection while target shooting. Never have hunting.

 

[30Cal]

I use them religiously when target shooting (most often doubled up plugs+muffs). I don't for deer hunting though. I've got enough gear to keep track of and hump around, and I'd rather be able to put as much focus as I can on making a clean shot. I wear a cowboy hat hunting, so muffs wouldn't work well for me (it's warm, keeps the rain off, keeps my ears open, and the sun out of my eyes).

Yeah, it's detrimental, but we're talking at most 2-3 shots a year. I consider it part of the price of admission. If I was a pretty active bird or duck hunter, I'd look into some electronic plugs.

 

[huntsman]

Not with electronic hearing where you can amplify the sounds - besides the Walker's I mentioned earlier, there are in-the-ear versions that look like an in the ear hearing aid

And what do you do when they snag on the brush? I've still hunted some cover that would knock my hat off.

 

[sixgunner455]

And what do you do when they snag on the brush? I've still hunted some cover that would knock my hat off.

Same thing you do whenever anything else gets snagged - untangle yourself and try not to cuss out loud and spook game.

 

[MidwestMatthew]

I can't imagine those two shots were the cause of his hearing loss. Unless those two shots were by someone else with the barrel very close to his ear.

He fired the shots himself, with a very old break-action shotgun that his brother-in-law let him use when they went hunting together.

I've fired literally thousands of 12 gauge shotshell rounds with no hearing protection at all...I've had shotguns go off in a duck blind so close to my head that the concussion felt like I'd been physically hit with something...I've shot a fair amount of rifle and pistol with no hearing protection...I have some ringing in my ears...but my hearing is still excellent.

Some people simply lose their hearing over time, perhaps that's what happened with your father. I know several people who've had that problem...and they don't shoot and are never around loud equipment or noises...it just happens to some people.

All I can go by is what my dad claims. He says he had good hearing before that hunting trip and never recovered it afterwards. It has continued to diminish over time without subsequent gun use.

The reason I told the story is because another poster mentioned that there's a strong possibility of genetic factors coming into play here; i.e., some people are genetically predisposed toward hearing loss as a result of loud noise. My dad's own father was a WWII vet and was deaf as a post. He had eight kids, with no known hearing problems other than by those who have also handled guns. To me, this is strong enough anecdotal evidence for *me* to never deliberately fire a gun without hearing protection, just in case the genetic link is real.

 

[oneounceload]

I've fired literally thousands of 12 gauge shotshell rounds with no hearing protection at all...I've had shotguns go off in a duck blind so close to my head that the concussion felt like I'd been physically hit with something...I've shot a fair amount of rifle and pistol with no hearing protection

Why would you do something so risky and ill-advised?

And what do you do when they snag on the brush? I've still hunted some cover that would knock my hat off.

Then get the in-the-ear versions. If the brush is that thick, I would hope you are also wearing eye protection as a twig in the eye can be serious.

 

[22-rimfire]

You only have two ears. Protect them.

 

[huntsman]

Why would you do something so risky and ill-advised?



Then get the in-the-ear versions. If the brush is that thick, I would hope you are also wearing eye protection as a twig in the eye can be serious.

Oh yeah I've always worn shooting glasses, (Amber) a carry over from my grouse hunting days. When I'm toting my Blackhawk I use earplugs with a cord attached, that way I can tuck it inside my collar but still keep one side out.

A week ago I made a one shot kill on a Doe and the 20 gauge sounded more like a .22 than a shotgun.