I always use ear protection while shooting but never have while hunting. I hunt mostly with a 12ga slug gun and last time I shot at a boar on a hog hunt my ears rang for days which made me think about hearing protection.. During deer season I hunt hardwoods and use a facemask so I think there would be too much movement to install ear plugs just before I shoot, I would probably never get the shot off.. I do use the rubber ones though like mentioned..

I don't care much about increasing the sound in the woods, I would probably feel like tree rats were climbing all over me.. lol I just don't want to loose any sound but would like to block the shot..

I emailed walkers game ear about the original game ear and the new itc.. The original behind the ear offers 29db reduction and the new itc is between 24-27 db of reduction. Which might be ok for hunting situations.. Expensive yes, but maybe worth not hearing the ringing in my ears...