I've never used hearing protection while hunting but I'm going to be hunting with a S&W 460 so I feel like I'll need it. Do you guys use electronic earmuffs? That's the direction I'm leaning towards.

I use electronic muffs: Walkers quad muffs, tactical 6's, and my son uses Howard Leights.

Years past I wore nothing but, now every hunt I wear Walker's digitals."What did you say"?
Steve

Walker Quads for hunting, Howard Leight Impact sports for range time.

I ALWAYS use them. I have the Predator Gold pro ears. Liked them so much I got my wife a pair also.

I always take protective earmuffs, electronic or otherwise, when I go hunting, except while bowhunting for obvious reasons.

I have used Walker hearing protectors for several years as well.

I've been considering electronic muffs for both range and field. After reading this thread I researched both the Walkers and Leights. I tend to read the negative reviews first and saw a lot of bad reviews for both brands. This makes me think the positive reviewers haven't had their products long enough to fail. Can anyone convince me on one brand or the other. I've also considered the Peltors.

Jeff

The Peltors are more compact, but have less protection than the Walkers. I used to Peltors I have for over 10 years now with no issues at all. I still use them when I'm squirrel hunting with a 22lr. Liked them so well, I ordered 15 pair for a shooting team and 12 out of the 15 were garbage. Not as good quality as they use to be. The Howard Leights my son has are about 7 years old and have had no issues. I've had my Walkers for about 4 years now and I have no complaints with them. When target shooting with any of them, I also wear earplugs underneath. Lots of shooting and only single hearing protection is not good on your ears; although way better than no protection.

I'm not a fan of Walkers...
I use the pro ears predator gold when I'm hunting and the MSA Sordin when I'm at the range. The pro ears are far more comfortable but don't offer the protection needed when at a range with other shooters, especially if someone is shooting big braked rifles.

The nice thing about the pro ears is that the cups are leather and not plastic so even in hot weather they wear all-day long. Directional hearing is better than with the MSA.

The MSA has an led light build in so you can do things like opening locked gates in the dark, etc. Have a higher level of protection but they work on different technology than the pro ears.

Both are in the $300 range.

Jeff,

My only complaint on my Walkers Quad muffs is that they sometimes turn on while in my pack. They have better directional hearing than the Howard Leights, which I wear at the range and for multi-platform shooting sports (3-gun, LR matches, etc)

I do wear them at ready on my head, and slide into position when I see or hear game approaching.

I wish I could remember the name of the electronic earmuffs I got for Christmas back in 2010. I absolutely loved it, but unfortunately it, my gloves, and my good coat are probably still on that mountainside in New Zealand. Long story . . . .

I wear Howard Leight Impact sports all day while hunting. They protect my ears and keep them ward.

These days I carry electronic muffs when I hunt (turned on, set on my head in a ready position so I can slip them on 1-handed). I also have a small handful of disposable foam plugs in my vehicle and each backpack or pouch that I wear into the woods or while doing chores that involve noise, like chain-sawing a deadfall across your trail. Something is better than nothing, should you forget your main ear-gear in the truck.

I tried a pair of the Walker Game Ear (earbuds), both of which were promptly lost within 6 hours of hunting on opening day. It was a loss that I did not grieve other than having spent $70 on them. They irritated my ears, didn't allow "directional" hearing, and when both were turned to anything more than 1/2 volume, the feedback or squelch was unbearable. I'd rather pop in a couple of foam plugs if time allows.

When I was younger, I foolishly went without hearing protection on many, many occasions when operating power tools, riding a motorcycle, and shooting. My hearing isn't terrible, but it's never "dead-quiet" for me anymore...that dull ringing is always present.

Recently acquired a pair of Pro Ears Tac Mag Gold's. I like what I've experience on the range so far but have not yet hunted with them.

I'll be wearing my Howard Leight Impact Sports this coming whitetail season...

My hunting partner just bought a pair of the Howard Leight Impact Sports and I was very impressed. I plan to have a pair soon.

I have an older set of peltors that worked great until the ear cups degraded. They were nice because they would actually amplify sound (even though in the wind that was bad). Now I just use ear plugs but may invest in a new pair of electronics. I always have ear plugs on me or in my truck since I run equipment every day. I will definitely need to wear something this year. Took a shot at a coyote the other day with the desert eagle with a brake, 50 AE, boy howdy did that ring my bell. Never again. No plugs in. Stupid.

I don't wear hearing protection when I hunt -- well, I usually don't. I fired one shot without hearing protection from a box blind a number of months ago, and the subsequent hog I shot I made sure I was wearing ear plugs. I do think it's a good idea to wear plugs, but only when it's time to shoot.

Anything is better than nothing, ask any construction worker. Have you ever seen a crane operator with good hearing???
Steve

I have Pro Ears sand Walker Muffs. I like them both but would give the overall edge to Pro Ears

Foam ear plugs I get from work as well as electronic muffs. It allows me to hear "through" the foam plugs and still delivers ample protection.