RE: warning to the youth
 

Great topic. As a industrial safety manager it still floors me how many people don't want to wear hearing protection because they thinks it make them look stupid. I tell them the only thing that make them look stupid is having to say "what" all the time. If you have kids that join you in the shooting sports or 4 wheelers or snowmobiles, start them out right and teach them to wear hearing protection. This would be a great thread for the youth section if it isn't already there.

RE: warning to the youth
 

A good hunter learns to adapt. I'd put my deaf brother up against anyone. He's a wack master. Deaf from military service not totally.

Having said that your advise is great.