I am new to the site and new to handgun hunting. I am curious to know how many of you wear ear protection while hunting and what kind/styles work the best.
Thanks in advance.

If I have time to think about it and put them in I use the cheap throw-away foam type. Once I shot my .14" 375 JDJ and killed a bull elk; it was in heavy timber in the snow, without protection and my ears rang for several hours. It was painful.

Another time I shot my 4 3/4" FA .500 on the wide open prairie forgetting to use ear protection, and it didn't bother me; the wind was blowing pretty good then but I don't know if that had any effect or not.

I would say that if you can handle the discomfort and lessened hearing ability then use them. Or you may try a pair of the electronic muffs. Either way I feel that it is a con for the most part...up until you pull the trigger then you will probably be glad.

I don't when I am walking in the woods, but then I also don't carry a braked gun in the woods. On a stand where there is time to slip in plugs or slip on muffs before the shot, or there is no need to hear my surroundings I use. On stand is also where I am likely to shoot my more high powered pistols which often have brakes and are quite loud so it is a necessity.

I always shoot with hearing protection(practice and hunting). I use electronic muffs. Wear them on top of my head till a shot is presented. Then I ease them down and turn them on. I use the Peltor Tactical 6. Mine are 5 years old and have never had a complaint. On the other hand, 10 pair were bought for members of our shooting team and all were pieces of crap. I was highly disappointed in them. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry to get to the woods I may forget my muffs. On these occasions I use the foam type ear plugs on a lanyard. I have them tied to all my hunting caps, so I'm never without.

Always wear hearing protection.
I double it when I am near my gear.

In the field I carry the cheap soft plasitc ones that are on a string. I run the string around my neck so they are hanging close & will put them in time permitting.. just shooting it's plugs & muffs.

By the way, welcome to the site & welcome to handgun hunting!!!!!!

This is definetly the nicest & most knowledgeable bunch of guys on the net.

I always wear Electric Muffs Hunting or Just Shooting.
OF COARSE It's because I am Leagaly Death in Both ears,
From Shooting without any Protection when I was YOUNG
And Much DUMBER !
I Insist that my Kid's and Grand Kid's Use them at all times.
EVERY TIME you are Expossed to a loud noise YOU DAMAGE YOUR HEARING ! It takes a while to Notice , But by then IT'S TO LATE !
I Use Walker Muffs and it's Amazing what you can hear when Hunting with them. Even one of my Son's cant beleive the Diferance .

Welcome Shooter
I am also new to handgun hunting, and this has been the biggest problem I have faced in the woods. I usually tuck some soft plugs under my stocking cap and slip them in if I have time. I tried some electronic small in ear enhancers/protectors, and they were junk. I'd rather not hunt than listen to static fuzz in the stand all day. Last year I shot a doe without time to put in the plugs, and my ears rang for half a day. Sounds like Mike S has the best solution. I'll have to try some electic muffs.
You will love this site!! I have had so many Qs answered, it is an absoulute wealth of knowledge. And everyone is friendly as well.

Huh? You say something?

none at all while hunting,we dont get many shots lol

Any time you fire a gun with out hearing protection you damage your hearing a little you may not notice it right a way but you do. The short barrel handguns are even worse then rifles.

What I do is I have a set of Pro ears predator earmuffs. and when I am in the woods with a loaded firearm I have them on.

They amplify the sounds around em and when a load noise is heard they shut off and block the sounds. when I am walking with them on I can hear every step I make so I am more quiet then I would be with out them. I can hear deer walking up on me, After the shot I can hear the deer fall and kicking.

....and the most handsome!!

I never used to carry hearing protection in the fieid until I start shooting braked guns. I used regular ear muffs. Then just to try, I bought a cheap pair of Caldwell electronic muffs. I've used them for almost a year now and love them. I wear them on my hat and as soon as game is spotted I slip them on and turn them on. I've used them on crop damage hunts and in WY. On these hunts we communicate a lot to relay range and wind conditions. The electronic muffs allow us to whisper with protection in place.

When target shooting anything I always wear foam plugs and ear muffs.

I wear the foam ear plugs when hunting. Most times I have them in from the truck back to the truck especially when charlie hunting.

I wear a pair of Walker Game Ears Power Muffs when hunting.

Welcome shooter! I carry ear plugs that have the string on them.I shoot a S&W XVR 460 and I foolishly took a shot at a deer last yr. without them on; WOW! big mistake! I didn't have time to put them on before the shot and mt ears rang for 3 days. After that I leave them in all the time when I am hunting.

I use the caldwells to like Dan B THEY ARE LIKE 19.95 THEY WORK. lol

I lost too much of my hearing in the Corps, and am really thinking these may be the way to go. Have you tried the "cheaper" versions, and, if so, did you think the Pro Ears were worth the extra money? My ears are worth it if they work.

I have only used the pro ears I have been using them for the past 4 years. I even use them when bow hunting just so I can hear the deer and when they crash down.

how much fore them Rickyp

I got them from cabelas and I am thinking like $300 but they may ahve come down some.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...0801&hasJS=true

I've got the pro ears gold predator and they work great and are far and away the most comfortable ones I've ever had on. The biggest problem with the cheap muffs is that you can't determine direction and they don't shut off as quickly as the good ones. I've not tried the caldwell ones though - sounds like some folks have had good luck with them.

all way looking for better thow whats the price on pro ears gary

Pricey at about $300 but I got a price break with their NRA Instructor program.

Pro Ears Predator Gold

I have not tried the Pro Ears , I used a set of cheap ones for a Couple of years , Then I got the Game Ears last year ,And they WORK.
They start at $100 and go up to $300 .
I also wear them Bow Hunting And like others have said You can hear a Deer walking , A turkey, And a whole lot more.
Of course Wearing Hearing Aids have there Advantage , My wife
says "I have Selective Hearing" .

I agree on several points. The expensive ones are pricey for a reason...the shut off times are quicker and they have stereo mic's.

The Caldwells were an experiment on my part. I had never tried electronic muffs and wanted to try a set without dumping a pile of money. The first time I used hem in the field I was sold on them. I was deer hunting with a friend and we were several hundred yards apart watching a large field. He calls on the cell and says to turn around and look in his end of the field. Long story made short....he wanted me to shoot a deer at long range in his end (he was well off to the side). As we talked, I slipped on my Caldwells, turned them on, got settled behind the gun. All the while I was prone and had the cell on the ground next to me (not on speaker). I was able to hear him talking while I dialed for the conditions and he was telling me what deer to shoot.

When income tax refund time comes around, I can easily see myself dropping a few dimes on a good set. I'll have them for my kids also.

I think if your gonna wear electronic muffs from "truck to truck" as TIGGER stated, it will be well worth the money to get the Walker's or another high quality brand. I chose to go with the mid-price ranged muffs because I was only gonna be using them right before the moment of truth. I like to be able to hear what's going on while I'm or who I'm filming, waiting to shoot. As Dan B. stated, it's great to have como with your hunting partner while whispering, whether calling in your dope or making sure camera man is ready for the shot.

The ones I've got also have a Jack on each side for a radio iPod or whatever

Just went through experimenting with all type and settled on Walkers Game Ear digital muffs.They also keep your ears toasty warm on cold Illinois mornings.
Steve

For hunting I use the foam ear plugs. I also have a small set of ear muffs that I use to keep my ears warm that will cut enough of the blast as to not feel the pain. While target shooting I have a pair of Silencio electronic ear muffs that I use. Don't know why I havn't tried them hunting.
Mike

X2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought a pair of Sport Ears through Cabelas. Wore them 4.5 days of elk hunting, most of a day deer hunting and on several duck hunting mornings. Quite suprised at how well they work and are comfortable enough to wear all day. Expensive... but I wish I had them many years ago.

Has anyone tried these that Cabela's shows for $60? Think they may go on my Christmas list.
"Howard Leight Impact™ Sport Earmuff"

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...0801&hasJS=true

Vance, I bought my son a pair last year and the work great for intended purpose. I (we)don't wear them during the complete hunt, just once game is spotted (unless wing shooting). One thing I liked about them vs. my Peltor Tactical 6, is that they have only one control knob that opperates both muffs vs. one on each side, so it doesn't take as much movement to deploy the muffs.

I bought 2 pairs of these...1 for me and 1 for my son.
We've been using them for a couple of years now and we love them!!!!
I got them for him to get used to so he'll always have ear pro and it won't see like a pain to wear...now he never shoots with out them.
He just turned hunting age so now it won't be any problem making sure he has them.
Hopefully he won't end up half deaf like his old man that was dumb and stupid and too tough to wear ear pro when he was young....STUPID EGO!!!!!!!

I wear peltors while hunting;and for heavy caliber stuff, the foam underneath them! I flew in the Navy 20 years and then airlines, and shooting . The ringing never stops in the right ear. And it came on suddenly after one shot elk hunting three years ago. Like the wise man above said, it is cumulative and you will not know what straw will be the one that does the damage. Err on the safe side if possible!

Walker's Game Ear Power Muffs. Outstanding device!

X2!

I keep them on my head until I see or hear game approaching and then put into place...works great on the big boomers and you can hear directionally! Have a backup pair of plugs on a string in my pack as well for stalking, etc.

a definte must do.any loss of hearing ain't good,and the bad part is you'll have lost it with out knowing and did it to yourself

Had a 'mute' function built into my current hearing aid so now I don't wear um unless I'm doing an extended range session.

I always wear electronic muffs at the range. One deer season I did not take them with me when doing a walk about in a light rain. Spotted a couple deer and took a seat and got a good rest with the 375 JDJ Contender, with the SSK Arrester on it. WOW that is the loudest gun shot I ever heard. Atleast I think I heard it. My ears rang for hours. With a Muzzle Break on something large, a combination of Ear Plugs and Electronic Muffs is a good idea.