Posted: 3/17/2008 9:21:09 PM EDT
| I just a general hunting question. I have been watching the Outdoor Channel and I notice no one wears hearing protection. Is this because they need to hear the guide or what? I know the noise isn't as loud as indoors but I would still want to keep my hearing intact. |
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I never wear ear protection while hunting. A single shot isn't going to do any more damage than I caused myself when I was younger. Most of the time, I'm so excited that auditory exclusion kicks in and I vaguely even hear the round. It still affect the ears, but I don't get the ringing and such that normally comes with discharging something like a .30-06 with no ear protection on. 
I tried a pair from a friend, and lost all sense of direction from which a noise was coming. I could tell if it was from my left or right, but that was it. |
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Electronic muffs reduce your sense of direction. The only time hearing protection is recommended is when pistol hunting. Like others said... one shot isn't going to do enough damage to be worth wearing hearing protection. Soldiers fire hundreds of shots in combat and can still hear. Don't worry so much about it. |