I had a nice buck in front of me and I had him all lined up in my scope but I couldn't pull the trigger because I was afraid of the noise. Any tips on how to beat the noise? Please help.

[Isaac Iman Kuhls]

I had a nice buck in front of me and I had him all lined up in my scope but I couldn't pull the trigger because I was afraid of the noise. Any tips on how to beat the noise? Please help.

[Isaac Iman Kuhls]

And I am a new hunter.

[pineywoods]

What did you do when you were sighting in your rifle and practicing for the season? Please, please, don't tell us that you had not shot your gun before going hunting.

You can buy wonderful hearing protection such as Howard Leight Impact Sport Sound muffs, or Walker Game ear. Even foam ear plugs will do a great job.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...!!


Do you also often flinch a lot when shooting...?? My recommendation would be to first get some hearing protection...Then an adequate shock absorber on the butt stock...!!


Also, if possible, practice with a smaller caliber gun to help you get over the 'noise fear'...!!

[Ontario Honker Hunter]

Take up darts.

[Pathfinder1]

And I am a new hunter.

Hi...!!


Thanks for the additional info...!!


I think if you get in adequate practice with various calibers (preferred), particularly with other experienced shooters, you'll soon realize that hearing protection, etc. will enable you to overcome your difficulty...!!

[huntfishtrap]

Take up darts.

Wow, that may be the worst piece of advice I have ever seen on this site. Way to encourage the newbie, OH.

[huntfishtrap]

Wear hearing protection. That might sound overly simple, but take it from someone who used to suffer that same affliction - it's the only way to go.
I had a couple of bad experiences with loud firearms when I was a kid, so I was terrified of the noise when I started hunting. I wore good ear muffs at all times for the first year or two, both while practicing and while actually hunting. I was gradually able to overcome my phobia, and now generally only wear hearing protection while target shooting. The exception to that is when waterfowl hunting - I still wear earplugs then.

There are a lot of good options for ear muffs and plugs out there, including a number of models that do a good job of reducing the noise of gunshots while still allowing normal background noise - think deer walking, or your hunting partner talking - through. I'd get one of those.

Other than that, do a LOT of target shooting with a relatively quiet gun that doesn't recoil at all, like a .22LR. Start out wearing hearing protection, then try gradually weaning yourself off it after a while. You should always wear some kind of hearing protection while practicing with any caliber much bigger than a .22, however.

[JM]

I'm going to guess you were afraid of the recoil on top of the noise? Just get some shooting earmuffs. Even a cheap foam earplug will work, although I'd get something that is easy to put on and take off. It's dumb to shoot without hearing protection on anyways(I am still learning this the hard way). And I suggest the same thing as HFT...practice shooting with a smaller and quieter gun like a .22LR. You can also practice dry firing with the rifle that you do have. This wont produce any noise, but will help you get used to squeezing the trigger without flinching.

[Isaac Iman Kuhls]

Hi...!!


Do you also often flinch a lot when shooting...?? My recommendation would be to first get some hearing protection...Then an adequate shock absorber on the butt stock...!!


Also, if possible, practice with a smaller caliber gun to help you get over the 'noise fear'...!!

I wore ear plugs for practice but my grandfather said that I can't wear them when hunting because we have to talk back and forth.

[charlie elk]

Wear hearing protection. That might sound overly simple, but take it from someone who used to suffer that same affliction - it's the only way to go.
I had a couple of bad experiences with loud firearms when I was a kid, so I was terrified of the noise when I started hunting. I wore good ear muffs at all times for the first year or two, both while practicing and while actually hunting. I was gradually able to overcome my phobia, and now generally only wear hearing protection while target shooting. The exception to that is when waterfowl hunting - I still wear earplugs then.

There are a lot of good options for ear muffs and plugs out there, including a number of models that do a good job of reducing the noise of gunshots while still allowing normal background noise - think deer walking, or your hunting partner talking - through. I'd get one of those.

Other than that, do a LOT of target shooting with a relatively quiet gun that doesn't recoil at all, like a .22LR. Start out wearing hearing protection, then try gradually weaning yourself off it after a while. You should always wear some kind of hearing protection while practicing with any caliber much bigger than a .22, however.

Last year I started wearing Walker Game Ear HD's, wish I would have started using something like this years ago. Not only are all sounds enhanced but when I shoot the bang is "edited" out.

[charlie elk]

Take up darts.

Probably in the top five list of bad advice, hope Honk was kidding.

[huntfishtrap]

Hi...!!


Do you also often flinch a lot when shooting...?? My recommendation would be to first get some hearing protection...Then an adequate shock absorber on the butt stock...!!


Also, if possible, practice with a smaller caliber gun to help you get over the 'noise fear'...!!

Get a pair of muffs that block gunshots but still allow ordinary noise through, like the Walker Game Ear. Or better yet, have your grandpa buy them for you, since he's the one telling you not to wear the plugs.

[huntfishtrap]

Wear hearing protection. That might sound overly simple, but take it from someone who used to suffer that same affliction - it's the only way to go.
I had a couple of bad experiences with loud firearms when I was a kid, so I was terrified of the noise when I started hunting. I wore good ear muffs at all times for the first year or two, both while practicing and while actually hunting. I was gradually able to overcome my phobia, and now generally only wear hearing protection while target shooting. The exception to that is when waterfowl hunting - I still wear earplugs then.

There are a lot of good options for ear muffs and plugs out there, including a number of models that do a good job of reducing the noise of gunshots while still allowing normal background noise - think deer walking, or your hunting partner talking - through. I'd get one of those.

Other than that, do a LOT of target shooting with a relatively quiet gun that doesn't recoil at all, like a .22LR. Start out wearing hearing protection, then try gradually weaning yourself off it after a while. You should always wear some kind of hearing protection while practicing with any caliber much bigger than a .22, however.

I've heard great things about those; may have to try them out myself.

[huntfishtrap]

Take up darts.

Even if he was, it was still in bad taste. I like to joke around as much as anyone, but this kind of question deserves a serious answer, or none at all.