Silencers for Texas Hunting

[Sputz]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

[alvins]

if i put a surpessor on my hand gun that makes it easier for me to kill people at night so whats point of "its easier to poach at night with a surpressor"?

[TheDude]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

Hearing protection is definitely a good reason. Makes it less disturbing to other wildlife. As far a poaching goes............what about a bow? No noise and definitely effective if you know how to use one. A modern crossbow with a scope is very accurate. I know you don't have the range of a rifle but if its done at night then thats not such a big difference. And if one was poaching and already breaking the law why would he care if using a suppresor is legal for hunting? Suppresors are a safety device and should be allowed for all shooting IMO. How many of us wear ear plugs while hunting? I have while duck hunting but not for other game.

[03Lightningrocks]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

One or two shots from a rifle is not really noticable when shooting a deer. Most of the time you are hanging the rifle barrel out the window. In even the most liberal counties, five deer is the maximum over the entire season. That is really not enough to cause hearing damage.

They make hearing protectors that work electronically if that is your reason. They cost a whole lot less and some of them even magnify the sounds you hear in the forest. They are activated just as the sound from your rifle goes off.

[03Lightningrocks]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

Hearing protection is definitely a good reason. Makes it less disturbing to other wildlife. As far a poaching goes............what about a bow? No noise and definitely effective if you know how to use one. A modern crossbow with a scope is very accurate. I know you don't have the range of a rifle but if its done at night then thats not such a big difference. And if one was poaching and already breaking the law why would he care if using a suppresor is legal for hunting? Suppresors are a safety device and should be allowed for all shooting IMO. How many of us wear ear plugs while hunting? I have while duck hunting but not for other game.

LOL... a bow? You have to get within about 50 feet as the furthest away to kill a deer with a bow. Even in that case, many times deer will travel hundreds of yards and further before they bleed out. A bow would make a horrible weapon to poach with. The reason is that these methods are not typically used by poachers is they are a very difficult way of taking out a wild game animal. Speaking as a feller who has hunted all his life, taking a wild game animal with a bow is quite a challenge.

[TheDude]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

Hearing protection is definitely a good reason. Makes it less disturbing to other wildlife. As far a poaching goes............what about a bow? No noise and definitely effective if you know how to use one. A modern crossbow with a scope is very accurate. I know you don't have the range of a rifle but if its done at night then thats not such a big difference. And if one was poaching and already breaking the law why would he care if using a suppresor is legal for hunting? Suppresors are a safety device and should be allowed for all shooting IMO. How many of us wear ear plugs while hunting? I have while duck hunting but not for other game.

LOL... a bow? You have to get within about 50 feet as the furthest away to kill a deer with a bow. Even in that case, many times deer will travel hundreds of yards and further before they bleed out. A bow would make a horrible weapon to poach with. The reason is that these methods are not typically used by poachers is they are a very difficult way of taking out a wild game animal. Speaking as a feller who has hunted all his life, taking a wild game animal with a bow is quite a challenge.

Well speaking as a "feller" who has bow hunted his whole life, its not that difficult. Just because you find it difficult doesn't mean its so hard for other people. 50 feet? Are you serious? Do you mean 50 yards? You can kill deer past 50 feet with a bow easily. In fact with modern bowhunting gear thats a pretty close shot. Thats not even 20 yards. Plenty of people take 50 yard shots with a bow and many people take effective shots past that. A well placed arrow with a good broad head will put a deer down much faster than people think. You think people don't use bows for poaching? LOL. OK.

Besides that doesn't change anything. This is about suppresors and you are saying that suppressor shouldn't be legal for hungting becuase of poaching. Poaching is already illegal. They aren't going to care about whether or not its legal to do so. Its just like No Gun signs. Only law abiding people pay any attention to them. Keeping suppresors illegal for hunting is only depriving law abiding hunters from using a safetly device to protect their hearing and make the sport more enjoyable.

[UpTheIrons]

One or two shots from a rifle is not really noticable when shooting a deer. <SNIP>
five deer is the maximum over the entire season. That is really not enough to cause hearing damage.

Are you SERIOUS? Do you use hearing protection at the range? After all, it's only 50 shots or so, and that's not really enough to damage your hearing, right?

One single gunshot can damage your hearing. ONE.

If I'm in a blind with my son or daughter, in a place where deer/game will often come within 20 yards, I don't want to have to fiddle with ear pro to give them directions before a shot, when that fiddling can lead to deer/game seeing movement, regardless of type (electronic).

I'm sorry, but your argument reeks of the stereotypical "Fudd" argument that once consisted of:
"Why would anyone ever want more than a 3 round magazine for hunting?" or,
"Why would anyone ever want to use a semi-auto for hunting?" or,
"Why would anyone ever want to use an AR-15 for hunting?" or (most recently for me)
"Legalizing the crossbow for hunting is only going to lead to more poachers."

Suppressors were added to the NFA for two reasons: first, because of gangster movies, and secondarily because of the perceived 'epidemic' of poaching during the Great Depression - couldn't have them po' folks shooting the state's deer out of season, now could we? They've got to pay for a license for that privilege. FDR needed all the money he could get for all those new programs, after all.

The most common tool used by poachers, by the way? The .22 WMR rifle, according to the game wardens and other TPWD people I've spoken to.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

That's the whole point. Poaching is done with disregard of the law, just as any other firearm related crime. Putting restictions on law abiding citizens does nothing to deter criminals. I do not have the choice to use a suppressor while deer hunting because it is illegal. Someone that is poaching is not going to refrain from using a suppressor because they have already decided to break the law. It is the EXACT same argument the Brady clan uses for gun control.
And anyone that does ANY shooting without hearing protecting is taking a assuming a very real risk of hearing damage.

[UpTheIrons]

That's the whole point. Poaching is done with disregard of the law, just as any other firearm related crime. Putting restictions on law abiding citizens does nothing to deter criminals. I do not have the choice to use a suppressor while deer hunting because it is illegal. Someone that is poaching is not going to refrain from using a suppressor because they have already decided to break the law. It is the EXACT same argument the Brady clan uses for gun control.
And anyone that does ANY shooting without hearing protecting is taking a assuming a very real risk of hearing damage.

The legalization of suppressors while hunting will do nothing to change the poaching rate, even if they move out of the "Firearm" category (and a $200 tax) and into the "AOW" category (and a $5 tax). Lawbreakers will break the law, regardless of means or methods employed.

[74novaman]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

I am curious. Why should anyone have to give you or the govt a reason for using a suppressor while hunting?

Anything we do that loosens or eliminates unconstitutional restrictions on our 2A rights is a good thing in my book (and I'm not even a hunter, so this affects me 0%).

[PUCKER]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

One or two shots from a rifle is not really noticable when shooting a deer. Most of the time you are hanging the rifle barrel out the window. In even the most liberal counties, five deer is the maximum over the entire season. That is really not enough to cause hearing damage.

They make hearing protectors that work electronically if that is your reason. They cost a whole lot less and some of them even magnify the sounds you hear in the forest. They are activated just as the sound from your rifle goes off.

Please feel free to borrow my .300 win mag with a muzzle brake on it and take a few shots...I think you'll change your opinion about hearing damage. When the ringing stops, let me know. Yes, it's L O U D ...even WITH hearing protection.

I would fully love to add a suppressor (or 20!) to my collection, would be VERY nice to NOT have to wear hearing protection...in addition to the glasses that I already wear. The NFA restriction and the $200 is beyond silly, it's ludicrous.

[03Lightningrocks]

LOL... I see there are several "experts" on this forum. I am surprised any of you have ever harvested a deer... seeing as how the supressor law handicapped your performance. I do get a big chuckle out of some of these threads.

By the way... yes... I meant yards...not feet when talking of bow hunting. And yes... anyone can poach deer using any number of methods. Somebody ask why using a suppressor to hunt game animals was outlawed. I simply told you folks the reason for the law. If you don't like it... change it. Meanwhile... I guess you will just have to suffer through the misery of hunting with no suppressor.

[PBratton]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

One or two shots from a rifle is not really noticable when shooting a deer. Most of the time you are hanging the rifle barrel out the window. In even the most liberal counties, five deer is the maximum over the entire season. That is really not enough to cause hearing damage.

Really?

One shot from a high powered rifle will make your ears ring, right? That's damage.

Protect your hearing at every opportunity. Constant ringing in your head is not fun.

[03Lightningrocks]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

I am curious. Why should anyone have to give you or the govt a reason for using a suppressor while hunting?

Anything we do that loosens or eliminates unconstitutional restrictions on our 2A rights is a good thing in my book (and I'm not even a hunter, so this affects me 0%).

You don't have to give me or the government any reasons. I was only asking what benefit a person would derive from using one while hunting. I never considered using a silencer for hunting and thought maybe there was some advantage I had not thought of. It was not meant to make you feel threatened. I am sorry about doing that. If someobody came on this forum crying about not being allowed to use hand grenades for hunting, I would ask the same question. Since you don't hunt, you probably can't tell me any advantage.

Like I said earlier. I don't necessarily have a problem with the state of Texas allowing a hunter to use a suppressor. I simply tried to tell some of you why they don't. If those that want supressor restrictions lifted don't aproach the issue with the understanding of why they are restricted, the odds of getting the powers that be to see the light are slim to none.

[03Lightningrocks]

I am curious. Why would anyone need or want to use a suppressor for hunting white tailed deer? After 40 years of hunting, I have yet to see a deer duck after I fired my rifle. I have even watched deer stand around after I shot one of their comrads. I remember one deer season, my son and I killed four deer in about 15 minutes. They didn't even flinch when we fired. Heck... they would step over their buddy to keep eating clover. A suppressor does nothing to assist in hunting any game animal.

Hearing protection in a small area such as a blind would be one reason, at least that would be mine.

Sputz

One or two shots from a rifle is not really noticable when shooting a deer. Most of the time you are hanging the rifle barrel out the window. In even the most liberal counties, five deer is the maximum over the entire season. That is really not enough to cause hearing damage.

Really?

One shot from a high powered rifle will make your ears ring, right? That's damage.

Protect your hearing at every opportunity. Constant ringing in your head is not fun.

LOL... man up!