Hey Migratory Bird Hunters- ear protection

[Riverbc]

All duck/geese hunters I grew up with never wore hearing protection when hunting. What do the duck hunters today do?

[Okotokian]

Huh?

Seriously, I'm thinking protection this year. Son swung over my head at some passing ducks last year and nearly deafened me. Made me reconsider how I should be shooting near my dog too. I voted "never" but I'm thinking that should change. Different for big game hunting, where most of the time I'm out I never take a shot.

[Riverbc]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Huh?

what? Couldn't hear me?

[NSDucknut]

Electronic muffs. Pretty comfy, and you can hear EVERYTHING going on around you. Can often hear wingbeats of a group of teal before you see them. Also can mount a gopro or similar on the headband if you like to record hunts

[cotang]

Originally Posted by NSDucknut

Electronic muffs. Pretty comfy, and you can hear EVERYTHING going on around you. Can often hear wingbeats of a group of teal before you see them. Also can mount a gopro or similar on the headband if you like to record hunts

I second that. You can amplify the sound so you can hear better and the loud gun shot sound will be dampened.

[Pudelpointer]

I am going to start wearing my electronic muffs when hunting in a blind with anyone else, however when I am alone or hunting upland.

[1quietbear*]

I've had custom fit insert type earplugs for years, they work great, are not in the way, and cost the same or less than a good set of muffs. Get some, you won't be disappointed. Also most places keep a mold on hand in case you lose yours.

Take a kid hunting, and someday they'll take you hunting

[chauncy]

X27



UOTE=NSDucknut;2505686]Electronic muffs. Pretty comfy, and you can hear EVERYTHING going on around you. Can often hear wingbeats of a group of teal before you see them. Also can mount a gopro or similar on the headband if you like to record hunts[/QUOTE]

[bosshog]

Always wear ear plugs. I already have one bad ear so I have to what what little hearing I have left. A few years ago I got the custom molded ones paid for by work and I like them. Might go with an electronic pair this year though.

[Cowtown guy]

I cannot hear the birds or my calling when I wear plugs or muffs. I will try the electronic ones though I think. I looked into getting custom electronic plugs last year at the SCI show. Pricey but I think it may be well worth it in the end

[whitetail Junkie]

ALWAYS Use ear plugs now when Waterfowl hunting

[Pixel Shooter]

never have, actually bought electronic ear muffs a couple years ago, tried using them once, just don't like it. Been sitting in my bag ever since. guess I will be deaf one day, but till then I call it selective hearing

[catnthehat]

I use North plugs, but also use the cheaper foam plugs too.
Cat

[Hat in the Cat]

I hunt waterfowl with electronic muffs. I usually have one of my daughters with me (all under 14) so I figure I should promote good health and safety. Like someone else mentioned too, you can hear the wing beats as they come from behind you for a good distance.

I do go without when hunting large game as I don't find the single shot as bad as blasting off multiple rounds in a blind.

[nube]

I never used to . I just had my hearing test and I am right at the level to be classified as deaf and needing hearing aid in my left ear and my Right side is not too much better. I have been using plugs now for the last few years and find it helps a ton. Wish I would have earlier. you do miss a few birds with plugs in but it is not worth it.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by nube

I never used to . I just had my hearing test and I am right at the level to be classified as deaf and needing hearing aid in my left ear and my Right side is not too much better. I have been using plugs now for the last few years and find it helps a ton. Wish I would have earlier. you do miss a few birds with plugs in but it is not worth it.

The Norths have a valve in the Nube, which shuts off when the soundwave hits them, but you may want to look at the Walkers.
I have them but don't use them much, you can amplify the normal sound and they will also shut off at a certain decibel.

Something to be said about hearing protection, been running boats and shooting in full bore, smallbore, and trap and skeet competition since i was very young.

Been working industrial construction for over 40 years as well and was always preached to about hearing and eye protection.
My hearing is normal for my age.
Cat

[FillinTheFreezer]

I started hunting/shooting 24 yrs ago. Zero protection was worn then.

I got into a trade, learned what I had previously not known, and changed.

Eye-pro and ear-pro, the current standard at any job site is my personal standard now as well.

It gets tons of unflattering comments from some of my hunting partners........but only the ones over 50. The rest of us know better.

[Deemoss]

i'll try the electronic muffs i got this year... if i can hear the birds and eliminate the shot, then woooohooo

[SBE2]

Originally Posted by NSDucknut

Electronic muffs. Pretty comfy, and you can hear EVERYTHING going on around you. Can often hear wingbeats of a group of teal before you see them. Also can mount a gopro or similar on the headband if you like to record hunts

x100

[Juggernaut]

Rarely... Duck call doesn't sound right with plugs in

[Riverbc]

Thanks all for participating in the poll. I started duck hunting at age 11. I did a ton of it in my 30's. My wife and a friend hounded me to get my hearing tested a few years ago. I did....and was told I had hearing loss that was associated with firing a long gun. I went and got a second opinion, and was told the same thing. I've been wearing hearing aids for 4 years now. (I'm 58) Oh wow...the sounds I've been missing. I can hear high pitched sounds, like birds chirping, I can hear deer walking and bird wings overhead. Sounds I heard before are crisper and sharper. I don't have to go back and double check what someone said on TV. It sucks to have to wear hearing aids, but it does improve the quality of the outdoors. Oh...and I found out I'm not as stealthy as I thought I was, sneaking up on mule deer.

[drake]

been using protection for thr last 4 years. i regret not using for the previous 20. Like nube I have severly damaged by hearing in my left ear to the point that I'm almost deaf. It's frustrating to try and converse in a room with lots of background noise.

[Norman]

Never worn protection, I've never heard of the the electronic muffs, may have to look into it a bit

[Pikebreath]

I don't wear an ear ring when duck hunting,,, so why would I want ear ring protection?

[bigjohncdn]

Since electronic muffs are reasonably affordable now I use them for hunting. Never used to.

[southernman]

Mostly do, if there are others in the same blind, or close by in laydowns, hardly ever for upland or if hunting alone.
Foam plugs and electronic ear plugs. batteries always seam to be flat on electronic ear muffs, take a spare set.

[mongo]

what was that ...lol...

[grinr]

Never have worn any kind of protection.....and have had my ears rung by partners on several occasions over the years.
One of the STUPIDEST things I've ever done,way back in the day when I knew everything as an 18yo,my buddy and I spotted a deer way out in a hayfield as we were walking in down the edge one morning.He wanted to shoot this doe,so in my youthful brilliance,I knelt in front of him,him kneeling behind me,and let him use my shoulder as a gun rest for his 30-30.....DOH!!!
OMFG,I thought I blew my ear drum,that hurt like hell and my ear rang for hours!!

.....but it was a helluva shot for an iron sighted 30-30 and he got the goddam deer though,lol.
...don't try this at home kids!!

[alacringa]

Hearing protection has been an if-I-remember thing for me. Having had some ringing after a couple of duck hunts last year, though, I've picked up some electronic muffs. Now I just need to remember to take them with me! Maybe need to attach them to my marsh jacket, or something.