Thread: Hearing protection for bushstalking? Excl. Suppressors

Hey all, this is my first post - (excl. introduction), so apologies in advance if I do it wrong.

Anyway, wondering if there’s any good recommendations out there for hearing protection that anyone has come across that they find works for them when bush-stalking?

I’ve carried blu-tac and foam earplugs for years and slip them into the ears prior to pulling the trigger if there’s any chance. Both work to a degree, but aren’t flash, are easy to loose, and quite often you know how it is, all of a sudden there’s a deer right there close, and one doesn’t exactly want to fluff around with plugs and blow the stalk.
I really don’t want to blow my hearing out either.

So:
-Are the electronic muffs good? If so which ones?

-There’s some fancy small ones that are electronic now too - anyone tried those?

-And there’s a few “passive” options on the market pretty cheap, do they work?

-Or do you know of any old simple foam ones that have a good leash or system which keeps them around the head / ears ready to slip in when needed?

FYI: Primarily I hunt in the Catlins Forests and Blue Mountains with an in-tact (with iron sights), quite tidy Sako 75 .243 + VX3 2.5-8, it’s a darling to handle, balances and comes up perfectly, so I don’t want to butcher all that key stuff to fit a suppressor on it.

Also using a Tikka T3x Superlite .270 VX3 3.5-10 which is has a full length barrel and Hardy Compact Suppressor, which is my choice for open country / alpine etc. It works fine in the bush if it has to, but I despise it’s length and balance for tight bush and off hand shooting.

I assume I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to suppress their current rifle, for whatever reason, so hoping there’s some experiences hands out there who’ve been down this path before and come out smiling.

If I had the resources and could justify it, I’d build a fully utilitarian, stainless, compact, “bush pig” type rifle and put a good suppressor on it, that would be ideal.

Sorry it’s become such a long post!

Cheers!

3M Peltor SportTac Hunting/Shooting Earmuffs. A bit spendy but they work. Good for hearing animals/birds etc moving around.There are also cheaper brands that work ok.

Bought a set of peltor tactical muffs over 20 yrs ago take 4x aaa bats still going strong but new foams would be nice amplify range commands as well not to bulky the good thing is you can hear the wind / coming / rising before it gets to you so you can hold back your shot also adjustable sensitivity so can hear faint sounds .well worth the 200 they cost me .

I have pair of peltor tactical amazing what they can amplify.

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I don't tend to bother with hearing protection bush stalking as rifles are suppressed but if you wear a cap with the normal adjustable strap type at the back hang the corded earplugs over it and tuck them down back of top until needed.

Passive impact type would probably be alright but wouldn't bother with separate plugs- undoubtedly lose one first trip.

Electronic are a step up but I find it amplifies your own movement too much for stalking personally. Be sweet if sitting over a scrape though. Admittedly I have not given them a really good try though.

Soundgear in ear electronic ear plugs. Don’t even know they are in after a few minutes.

So so good

I think there’s a reason suppressors are so popular.

Do you reload?
If you do, then dropping down to a minium load with a medium weight bullet will also help (75-90gr).

Problem with putting in ear plugs is time and you want to be able to hear the deer moving around.
I don't know anyone who has used those electronic ear plug sound amplifiers and blockers but if you have ruied out a suppressor then maybe they are your best option.

Ok, buy another rifle, little single shot in 35 Cal and fit a short can, or just run low power loads saving a couple of full power loads for when you have time and need to take a longer shot.
Z

Properly designed and executed custom in-the-ear electronic plugs are the way to go BUT they're very expensive. I have three sets which are converted high-end hearing aids but these aren't an option for the public. I can wear them all day without discomfort, can hear soft stuff at a distance but don't get blasted even with a mate shooting close to the side.

If you do get custom-moulded plugs, make sure person taking the impressions is highly experienced. The end product is only as good as the impressions. I'd suggest you get an audiologist to do this as they understand the big picture and will look down your canals with an otoscope to rule out an issues before taking the impressions.

Best to do something as soon as possible. Ear damage sneaks up on you. Being deaf is not fun.

I'll add another reccomend for electronic earmuffs. they almost feel like cheating they're so good at picking up sound

I'm close to forking out coin for set of electronic muffs BUT need them to be sterio and adjustable balance.set I have aren't sterio so I can hear really well but have no idea WHERE sound is coming from.eg duck shooting I hear parries KMs away but can't work out where they are,bare ears no issues picking direction.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I'm close to forking out coin for set of electronic muffs BUT need them to be sterio and adjustable balance.set I have aren't sterio so I can hear really well but have no idea WHERE sound is coming from.eg duck shooting I hear parries KMs away but can't work out where they are,bare ears no issues picking direction.

good point, are the pelator ones stereo ?

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I'm close to forking out coin for set of electronic muffs BUT need them to be sterio and adjustable balance.set I have aren't sterio so I can hear really well but have no idea WHERE sound is coming from.eg duck shooting I hear parries KMs away but can't work out where they are,bare ears no issues picking direction.

Adjustable balance?

That's doable on some of the better in-ear electronic plus, but Ive never seen it on over ear earmuffs.

That being said, I've got a few pairs of the muffs as well and can still hear 'direction'. Which ones are you looking at/trying?

My first set of over the ear electronic muffs had balance control. They were made by a small Danish company set up by one of their top pistol shooters.
The muffs recently died and got binned.
Replaced with MSA