USNRETHunter

At the range, depending on what I'm shooting (and how many others are there shooting), I either use muffs, or foamies+muffs. Hunting, I don't bother. Like USMC above said, the one shot isn't loud enough to do damage.

Hunting the North

The guys that say that don't use hearing protection while hunting are the same guys that say WHAT when you ask them a question. I would not hunt without my PRO EARS electronic ear muffs. They keep my ears warm, can hear deer walking in the woods, can havea conversations with them on, and protects from hearing damage. Don't buy the $100.00 Pro-Hunter brand as I have had two of them break within two days from purchase. The PRO EARS have a 5 year warranty.

My dad suffered permanent hearing damage from shooting a .38 caliber revolver in a valley about 25 years ago.

demoIL

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...